If you don’t believe in Jesus, you are not alone. But we do end – one way – in death – and I pray you know ABUNDANT LIFE in Jesus. Please read a revealing truth about Jesus – that people know Him THROUGH His Spirit – sometimes before they know His name. We recognize Jesus when we are ready to open up our Spiritual Hearts to Him. God does the revealing – and God through us does the Praising.
Think of how John the Baptist had to ask Jesus if He really was the Messiah, this must have meant there really is a HUGE DIFFERENCE between God and man. HUGE.
Remember John the Baptist was Jesus’s cousin and lept in his mother’s womb at the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb. The Holy Spirit recognition. Then both were born worldly ‘born of woman’ and a worldly familiarity took over John’s view. And they probably did see each other, 2nd cousins, or at least heard of each other, and we don’t know what was discussed between them or cousin moms after birth, if anything, but Elizabeth and Mary knew both children in their wombs were God’s Chosen and had God-work to do.
John didn’t recognize the Savior in Jesus as matching all that He thought a Messiah King would be, so imagine the difficulty people, of the time and now, who never met Him personally would have. Never met Him until He introduced Himself into them, into us. He is knocking on our doors for us to open ourselves to His Glory.
So if you are a doubter of God, of Jesus, of God’s Word being Jesus, and of the law and prophecies being fulfilled by Jesus, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! The recognition of a human masks Spirit because of the fall of Adam and Eve. The recognition of the Spirit comes by Way of Spirit within us, so we must set aside our human distractions of “this is the way God is”, like John the Baptist did. We also must remember (like John the Baptist) that we are NOT abandoned by God when our faith and truth scares other people, nor are we abandoned when we are locked in prisons of self, or in a feeling of punishment we maybe don’t deserve. We are never abandoned by God – simply reach out to Him always. We simply roughly and humanly must get through this life in a broken world that won’t want to open up to this divine awakening. That doesn’t mean we can’t be open to it.
Therefore let us be open to the Divine view, be open and questioning and inspired and ready. Ready to see Jesus through all the human layers. Jesus himself said that even the lowest member of the Kingdom in Heaven is endlessly above the highest of humans – meaning God is God and we are not – but always we should be reaching towards Him. We can’t do anything without God. We should bear HIS good fruit.
We can appreciate that God’s Ways are above our human ways. His Mercy shows in His healing Grace.
John the Baptist speaking about Jesus (now understanding whom He is – both humanly and divinely): “He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” from the gospel of (yet another cousin) John 3:32-36
So, if you don’t believe in Jesus – and want to know Him more and more – start to ask Him Himself to reveal Him to you. Jesus loves knowing you – Love to know Him. We all are reaching up to His Holiness, Glory, and Grace.
AMEN AMEN AMEN
Jesus told John and the crowds:
“The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”
Here are more passages about John the Baptist, Chosen by God to be a prophet, like the “Elijah of the day”.
My mom always says “The weather tells us what we are going to do.” – meaning we change our plans, change our mood, do or not do things because of the weather… Yes and no… Yes and no for outdoors things but what about Spiritual things? Sometimes even while standing in it, we can get past the gloom and see the Light.
A great segue to speaking about Jesus. Jesus wants us to walk into the Light.
LIGHT. Whether it is dark and gloomy and pouring rain, like it is now, we can look for and come to the Light – and keep keepin’ on. Sometimes we simply need to wait for our eyes to adjust stepping into twilight and look for the Light so that we can step more confidently.
Jesus spoke to and answered questions for the BIG scholar Jewish Pharisee Rabbi Nicodemus, who was questioning and who came to Jesus at night, covered by security of darkness from any spying eyes. Yet Nicodemus clearly was walking towards the Light, the Light of God being revealed to his understanding and Nicodemus wanted truth. Nicodemus asked: “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus spoke extensively (see below for the full passage in John 3), and Jesus said: “He who believes in Him is not condemned” and of those who do evil or good: “he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Nicodemus probably did all the sacrificial things as prescribed by law. Jesus came and fulfilled the law (Moses’-given-by God) by His sacrificial offering as the Lamb of God. The Holy Spirit birth in us brings us born again in God – out of the darkness of a womb of the world and into the Kingdom of God.
Not only does Jesus want us to do good over evil, He wants us to come out into the Light so it’s clearly seen by us where God is working in our lives, like a newborn baby being washed up from birth.
Washed.
From my vantage point, I can see the rain letting up, the day is dawning, and I can see things more clearly. Now the reminder of what my mom says still holds true: “The weather tells us what we are going to do.” – yes, because if it’s dark in our lives then we need to keep watching and walking towards the Light, if it’s cold then cover up in a blanket of God’s love, if it’s scary then ask Jesus to stand strong for you, and if it’s ‘just right’ then PRAISE THE LORD and APPRECIATE THE LIGHT.
Amen
Please read this crucial passage about our passage into the Light.
John 3:1-21 New King James Version
The New Birth
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
A man just came back from over a year in space. He must have trusted his life to others EVERY DAY. This REALLY encourages me, that I can trust this ONE LIFE MOMENT to GOD.
New people are embarking on adventures on the Survivor TV show, living without running water, food, or privacy. And on the Amazing Race TV show too, running around the world, sleeping in airports, tightrope walking. They are trusting their lives and loved ones for a whole month to just play. This encourages me, that I can trust just ONE day of play to GOD.
People drove cars today, always a risk every split second, never even thinking about worrying. I can hand over ONE worrying moment to God.
Most stuff worth worrying about for others, we never even hear about. We can wait out one more unknown moment, giving it to GOD.
No one has left me up in space, snuffed out my torch, knocked me from stepping on the mat, nor taken my car keys away. I made it through today. AND, God gave me His Victories today too – maybe He made it look like “I got this” – but He got it – a bigger got than I could get.
If God can get EVERYTHING, then I can give Him one more thing. Especially because God gave me the opportunity to rely on Him.
Thanks God, I got this because You got this. Your Wisdom is my Way Forward.
Amen
Proverbs 3:5-26
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Can’t beat waking up with a bible chapter on your brain… After so many weird dreams, it was so nice to just simply wake up and have “Isaiah 51” float to the top – as a message for me to write about, I am sure.
It’s a good way to break a bad dream cycle by waking up – God does that for me often. It’s ALSO fitting to hear while awake from reading the scriptures, especially Isaiah, about this prophecy to make a break in that cycle of the old ways. Isaiah has a great prophecy of a Messiah, ahhh… A New Way…
Do you remember the Mimeograph machines? Those early copy machines before photocopying? From a template you used to have to turn the drum. I can see my elementary school secretary with those blue pages. And I used to be able to help sometimes, turn the drum for her. It was fun, round and round, I see it and I feel it. My mom donated used, one side printed, good quality paper from her office and the school made them our quizzes or worksheets. Round and round we learned and learned.
If the vicious cycle of Israelites wandering in circles in the desert was round and round, then they would continue like spinning a Mimeograph to spiral again and again in circles of bad ways. Into the pit they would dig. They would then see God raise up judges and kings of justice and things went well for a while but then to ‘do evil in the eyes of the Lord’ again – then Israelites get captured, punished, exiled, lost. Even Samuel warned them: don’t ask for an earthly king, you don’t know what you are getting – instead worship God… Well, they got an earthly king string – some good some bad – no one divine.
God broke each cycle with a hopeful ruler, like a fresh new copy page to be started on the Mimeograph, but those repeated offenses towards God of not listening, not sacrificing required elements, and worshiping false gods – was vicious cycling. Israelites were stuck in the drum of the Mimeograph.
Then…. Isaiah tells us of a Messiah… Isaiah 51 is a turn of that drum, Israelites gone bad. Isaiah 52 speaks of Him, Isaiah 53 reinforces (see all the highlights below)… a Messiah Over Mimeograph… break not just the cycle but obsolete the machine… a Messiah IS Lord, and this Lord is Light, and OH, HOW WE CAN BE PHOTOCOPIES – hopefully transparencies – of our Messiah.
Make no mistake, Jesus was never flawed but His face got marred, see Isaiah 52:14 and WOW Isaiah 53 which foretells this amazing Savior we call Jesus and the truthful suffering He endured. Prophecy. Jesus broke that Mimeograph, by taking on the ‘sin of many’ and making ‘intercession for the transgressors’. Isaiah’s prophecy is a drumroll to sound out the warnings and the Way. Messiah Over Mimeograph. Jesus rolled away the repeat drum turning of God’s Wrath onto man to take it Himself – jumped into the machine – rolled the drum away when He rolled away the stone. Jesus Messiah Moved Mountains, a Savior who Saves.
Amen
Jesus Messiah Over Mimeograph
Amen
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
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please read:
Isaiah 51
Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.
My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?
Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?
Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;
And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?
The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.
But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The Lord of hosts is his name.
And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.
Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.
There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up.
These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee?
Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy God.
Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:
Thus saith thy Lord the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:
But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
Isaiah 52
Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.
For thus saith the Lord God, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
Now therefore, what have I here, saith the Lord, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the Lord; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.
Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.
Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.
For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your reward.
Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
Isaiah 53
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
There’s times when I am reminded that the quick fix is not what you want. When not just ‘nature has to take its course’, but God needs to serve up HIS Plan, and take His Own time. It is like that adage: do you want it cheap or do you want it good? Well… GOOD… We HAVE to trust the process. We have to keep our eyes fixed on God. We have to go out for the work and win as well. We don’t just wait for God to act as much as God always waits for you to have faith IN HIM.
Praise Him first, then give God His Time, then WATCH Him work.
I was recently reminded of this favorite Old Testament story of Jehoshaphat. He was lined up by God as a leader to fight/defend/lead his/His people, but it SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE. Yet, God first sent them a message to keep going on – go ahead and prepare – then God won the Battle FOR them ahead of time – by orchestrating the scene… Yes, the Battle was the Lord’s and He told them that too.
Not only did God win the battle, He was able to use one enemy against the other, knocking each other out. And Jehoshaphat got blessed with peace on all sides.
Sometimes we question immediately when we can’t figure something out. But do we Praise? Do we trust God, having gotten us not just out of a jam but preparing the way ahead of time? Do we pick up and get ready for the battle either way? God wants us to keep moving – and remember He already has gone ahead.
Well, here is the great story – please remember this as I am reminded – You’ve Got to Give God TIme to fight your battles – give Him time to line up Your plans – give Him all the praise too – before AND after…
Amen
…
Jehoshaphat in the Lord’s Hands… 2nd Chronicles 20:1-30
After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat.
Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.
Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’
“But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord.
Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”
Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”
As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.
Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets.
The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.
It’s still raining – and I am still reading in Isaiah…
There’s nothing like coming home, especially when it’s rainy chilly-ish and you just finished extensive driving around for errands then come home to a warm blanket out of the dryer, and a cat who puts themselves directly on your feet, and a warm snack, and 4th quarter football on TV which shows back to back clutch last 2 minutes of multiple games THEN another game in overtime (wow efficient TV)… Home is comfort to the max – not much better feeling than this – EXCEPT oh yeah, when God’s going to call us home forever, won’t that be the day, yeah can’t really beat that… Not just home old but HOME NEW!
Sunday into Monday the modern-day Jewish community members will usher in Yom Kippur, it is a holy time of atonement, with fasting, prayers, and asking for forgiveness, and a time to look forward with intentions for the year ahead. Moses was given instructions for the people on how to live – what to celebrate – and why they were to atone. They remember these feast days recorded in Leviticus.
Isaiah, in chapter 27, speaks both of contemporary times when God is going to take down Israel’s enemies and talks of a later time in the Israelites life of recovery. Yes, a nation which wandered, regained traction, wandered, went wrong – later to be scooped up by God for recovery… Well – a BIG recovery will be the New Jerusalem for our Messiah King to be worshiped forever as Savior to us and to rule over us with love and mercy. This New Jerusalem is the ULTIMATE deliverance of Israel.
So yes – let us atone and be thankful that God delivers us ultimately and today – let us remember that with God, Home IS where we should be. (still raining? no worries, God is still reigning.)
Amen
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Isaiah 27
In that day, the Lord will punish with his sword – his fierce, great and powerful sword – Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea. In that day – “Sing about a fruitful vineyard: I, the Lord, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it. I am not angry. If only there were briers and thorns confronting me! I would march against them in battle; I would set them all on fire. Or else let them come to me for refuge; let them make peace with me, yes, let them make peace with me.”
In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit.
Has the Lord struck her as he struck down those who struck her? Has she been killed as those were killed who killed her? By warfare and exile you contend with her – with his fierce blast he drives her out, as on a day the east wind blows. By this, then, will Jacob’s guilt be atoned for, and this will be the full fruit of the removal of his sin: When he makes all the altar stones to be like limestone crushed to pieces, no Asherah poles or incense altars will be left standing. The fortified city stands desolate, an abandoned settlement, forsaken like the wilderness; there the calves graze, there they lie down; they strip its branches bare. When its twigs are dry, they are broken off and women come and make fires with them. For this is a people without understanding; so their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.
In that day the Lord will thresh from the flowing Euphrates to the Wadi of Egypt, and you, Israel, will be gathered up one by one. And in that day a great trumpet will sound. Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain in Jerusalem.
“Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”…. Take Refuge from the Coming Judgment…
Sure it is raining here all day – A LOT – but take REFUGE FROM THE STORMS – dive into the REIGNING SAVING of the Lord – the reining-in of sin by repentance – THE REMEMBRANCE OF DELIVERANCE. There is HOPE in between the rain drops, rein-in drops and Reign Drops of the Lord’s corrections. REALLY.
Look throughout scripture and there are sunshine and salvation spots and stops. Really, I am talking about a Messiah mentioned among the mess of the Israelites’ pitfalls – embrace these readings in Isaiah 25 and 26 as if they were a GIANT UMBRELLA of protection – more than that, Isaiah is affirming the Shelter of the Lord. Yes, there is HOPE in repentance and salvation. Savor those steps UP in your life – and get yourself into those Rein Drops – where God corrals you into listening. God’s Rein in – Reign over – Rain down of Love.
Isaiah 24 – wow – remember the prophecies of the total earth destruction? Getting through that reign of terror? A Messiah!!!
Isaiah 25 – wow – a saving rainbow in our sky for Hope wow in a PRAISE!!
O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Yes there is hope for the Israelites – Isaiah reminds them to repent – and hope for us – to be remembering to be rescued by the Lord.
Isaiah 26 – double wow – double rainbow plus a song of a Savior sliding into our scene for salvation. We have to remember that the people of the time were so oppressed and short term saving was immediate on their minds – long term salvation was and is hard to wrap our minds around but IS what is promised by God – both short and long term… Destruction of enemies also means a downfall of peoples that don’t listen. Lord, You will establish peace for us.
So, like this flooding rain – remember that there is no joy in the loss of life – no pride in “we made it because God crushed them” – there is only humble thankfulness that God’s provided this path this shelter this hope – immediate and long term. Yes, we like the Israelites can rejoice in this coming predicted saving – in this protection. Like this flooding rain that will seep into every spot – let us also hope that the seeds of knowledge shared will seep into every soul. The immense power of the Lord is enough to destroy – so how much more He wants to save. God wants repentance AND praise.
As for us in this storm, Lord, You are amazing and worth ALL our PRAISE. Let us love living in between YOUR Reign Drops.
AMEN!
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O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. For You have made a city a ruin, A fortified city a ruin, A palace of foreigners to be a city no more; It will never be rebuilt. Therefore the strong people will glorify You; The city of the terrible nations will fear You. For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, A shade from the heat; For the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
. You will reduce the noise of aliens, As heat in a dry place; As heat in the shadow of a cloud, The song of the terrible ones will be diminished. And in this mountain The Lord of hosts will make for all people A feast of choice pieces, A feast of wines on the lees, Of fat things full of marrow, Of well-refined wines on the lees. And He will destroy on this mountain The surface of the covering cast over all people, And the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken. . And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” For on this mountain the hand of the Lord will rest, And Moab shall be trampled down under Him, As straw is trampled down for the refuse heap. And He will spread out His hands in their midst As a swimmer reaches out to swim, And He will bring down their pride Together with the trickery of their hands. The fortress of the high fort of your walls He will bring down, lay low, And bring to the ground, down to the dust.
A Song of Salvation In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in. You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength. For He brings down those who dwell on high, The lofty city; He lays it low, He lays it low to the ground, He brings it down to the dust. The foot shall tread it down— The feet of the poor And the steps of the needy.” .
The way of the just is uprightness; O Most Upright, You weigh the path of the just. Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O Lord, we have waited for You; The desire of our soul is for Your name And for the remembrance of You. With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; For when Your judgments are in the earth, The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
Let grace be shown to the wicked, Yet he will not learn righteousness; In the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly, And will not behold the majesty of the Lord. Lord, when Your hand is lifted up, they will not see. But they will see and be ashamed For their envy of people; Yes, the fire of Your enemies shall devour them. . Lord, You will establish peace for us, For You have also done all our works in us. O Lord our God, masters besides You Have had dominion over us; But by You only we make mention of Your name. They are dead, they will not live; They are deceased, they will not rise. Therefore You have punished and destroyed them, And made all their memory to perish. You have increased the nation, O Lord, You have increased the nation; You are glorified; You have expanded all the borders of the land. . Lord, in trouble they have visited You, They poured out a prayer when Your chastening was upon them. As a woman with child Is in pain and cries out in her pangs, When she draws near the time of her delivery, So have we been in Your sight, O Lord. We have been with child, we have been in pain; We have, as it were, brought forth wind; We have not accomplished any deliverance in the earth, Nor have the inhabitants of the world fallen. . Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; For your dew is like the dew of herbs, And the earth shall cast out the dead.
Take Refuge from the Coming Judgment: Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. For behold, the Lord comes out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain.
It’s No Day at the Beach – rain rain rain…. but my methodical reading continues, Isaiah 14 to 24 is a big chunk of God’s warnings and realness. Rain on their parade, Reign over them, Rein them in…Isaiah’s Warnings of God’s Wrath! Whew! God’s Word THUNDEROUSLY HEARD – these are ROUGH chapters for hearing of the destruction and the Ruling Power of God – YIKES! (but it gets better – trust God – see Isaiah 25 after all this destruction – but we have to get thru it – we have a Savior to help)…
Old Testament strongholds crumbled, oh so YES, we are both to fear the Lord’s power AND love the Lord’s Ultimate Almighty Authority to win, to rule, to make everything anew. We get to read backwards to read ahead, I’M SO GLAD JESUS CAME A CALLING, I’M GOING TO STICK WITH HIM!!!
In that day a man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel. He will not look to the altars, The work of his hands; He will not respect what his fingers have made, Nor the wooden images nor the incense altars.
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Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation, And have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold, Therefore you will plant pleasant plants And set out foreign seedlings; In the day you will make your plant to grow, and in the morning you will make your seed to flourish; But the harvest will be a heap of ruins in the day of grief and desperate sorrow. Isaiah 17:7-8, 10-11
Ah, a God of SALVATION – ‘Wait for it’… We read the beginning, middle and end of this book of Isaiah, from destruction to deliverance – we see a glimpse of the Glory of God. “and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them.” Isaiah 19:20
AMEN
ISAIAH 24 – the whole earth will be laid waste – jump on the Jesus train before that, PLEASE! AMEN AMEN
The Lord’s Devastation of the Earth See, the Lord is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it; he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants— it will be the same for priest as for people, for the master as for his servant, for the mistress as for her servant, for seller as for buyer, for borrower as for lender, for debtor as for creditor. The earth will be completely laid waste and totally plundered. The Lord has spoken this word.
The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the heavens languish with the earth. The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left. The new wine dries up and the vine withers; all the merrymakers groan. The joyful timbrels are stilled, the noise of the revelers has stopped, the joyful harp is silent. No longer do they drink wine with a song; the beer is bitter to its drinkers. The ruined city lies desolate; the entrance to every house is barred. In the streets they cry out for wine; all joy turns to gloom, all joyful sounds are banished from the earth. The city is left in ruins, its gate is battered to pieces. So will it be on the earth and among the nations, as when an olive tree is beaten, or as when gleanings are left after the grape harvest.
They raise their voices, they shout for joy; from the west they acclaim the Lord’s majesty. Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord; exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea. From the ends of the earth we hear singing: “Glory to the Righteous One.”
But I said, “I waste away, I waste away! Woe to me! The treacherous betray! With treachery the treacherous betray!” Terror and pit and snare await you, people of the earth. Whoever flees at the sound of terror will fall into a pit; whoever climbs out of the pit will be caught in a snare.
The floodgates of the heavens are opened, the foundations of the earth shake. The earth is broken up, the earth is split asunder, the earth is violently shaken. The earth reels like a drunkard, it sways like a hut in the wind; so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion that it falls—never to rise again.
In that day the Lord will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below. They will be herded together like prisoners bound in a dungeon; they will be shut up in prison and be punished after many days. The moon will be dismayed, the sun ashamed; for the Lord Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders—with great glory.
I could write a book – my life experiences – my observations of people – my advice – my tips on navigating and not exploding in frustrations…
I have noticed in people – that ‘knowledge displayed’ but locked up is ONLY a book on a shelf – might look nice but not so useful – whereas ‘knowledge shared’ is being an open book – and ‘knowledge taught’ is really what expands and shares the knowledge base.
I am talking about people who might have learned things but don’t teach them, people who want to be honored (sticker decorations or new sleeve covers looking all shiny) and want to be seen but then keep their covers closed and never share the knowledge with the people who could benefit the most. They are stingy in page length too. Old and yellowing pages never to be shared. Not real anymore but eventually dated.
And now I will talk about the OPPOSITE – I will talk about JESUS – LIVING WORD – He is both the Book and the Knowledge – the Opening and the Teaching – the Pages and the Sharing – the Helper and the Holder of attention – the MESSAGE AND THE MESSIAH. He will tell you about being saved while He is saving you. You will learn after His save in addition to before it – He will come to you before you have a chance to come to Him. He will warn while He waits. Jesus saves because He knows the Ways the Whys and the Whats. Jesus knows us so we don’t have any excuse of why He wouldn’t want you – He wants you – He wants us. And He is able to do all things HIMSELF.
The more we learn about Jesus the more we learn how He wants us to be like Him. Do All Things Thru Him. Be a partaker in His kindness, openness, giftedness, pleasantries, reality, correctiveness, core-value stability and LOVE. Be both His student and the teacher to others – Lead but Be Led. Know Jesus and then Share Jesus in action – in values – in hope – in joy – in pain – in suffering – in LOVE. Be the book He is – but then open it – teach it – peruse it – pursue it – learn it – share it – be it – BE.
Be the Book that Jesus wants us to be – open – teaching – on display but readable – willing to give some page space to others – WILLING TO HAVE JESUS WRITE SOME FRESH PAGES IN OUR LIFE.
Be the Book that the Lord wants you to be – be not just a facsimile dialed in – don’t be a PDF of not being able to be edited – don’t be onion skin ready to fall apart – don’t be carbon paper never used black sticky and making marks without actually being used – and also don’t use up all the ink. Be more than just a reflection and copy but be a FRESH EXPRESSION – a fresh writing of old truths in action. Be the expression of LOVE leaping off the pages to be Jesus for others – to be you – to be us. Walk thru life as pages to be shared. Be real – Be the Book for REAL – Be the Amen to the Sentences too.
Don’t be Jesus ‘by the book’ but be the Jesus from the book and put the Live into the Living Word. Lessons Lived – Lessons Loved – Lessons Learned.
I am SO GLAD that I finished the binge feeling for watching ‘Hoarders’ on Netflix, whew, it sucked me in at night on the couch, but wow it inspired me to clean and discard things in the morning!!! (and what a good cleaning day it has been – damp and dreary outside but inside inspiring to clean out my non-‘treasures’ especially dust.)
I found a precious inspiration in one special pile: the scripture card to: ‘Cling to what is Good’ and the beautiful ‘Footprints in the Sand’ poem on a prayer bulletin from the funeral services of a friend’s dear husband, taken too soon.
I paused, I’ve just been to the beach, walking my own footprints into that sand for a temporary time… Footprints in the sand do make a mark, but they disappear with the tide like they should. In other words, even the treasures of Jesus carrying us are best treasured as memories and not memorabilia. Footprints disappear, Jesus’s human ones too, on earth, but Jesus feet stay in spirit to move us along.
And do cling to what is good, all the while discarding non-treasures, oh that we would or should be willing to be less burdensome when carried by Jesus. That attachment to worldly stuff? Natural because we are human and natural because we are in this world. And that guilt of glut? Let that go too. Jesus doesn’t require you to clean up before He picks you up. He knows what to leave behind.
I kept the card and the poem, the heart prints of my memories are of Jesus carrying me and my friends. The rest of the clutter found, like disintegrated 20yr old shoes stuffed in the back of the closet, I cleaned those things out – those old footprints of me should disappear with the tide of today’s new beginnings.
And what does keep us distracted in this world? The spiritual warfare of ‘you deserve this’, ‘you need your stuff’ over the more humble: ‘Isn’t it a blessing that God gave me trinkets and resources’ and ‘l can let go of these items for another to enjoy – or not get so much next time.’… Trust God to get clean and cleaning.
Yes, Isaiah 14 tells of one of the multiple times Satan has and will fall against the ultimate almighty God. God puts him down. We should remember that the whispers of selfish intent will fall just as the devil falls. Devil DOWN. Don’t ever say “the devil made me do it.” – instead Cling to what is Good – hop up into the Lord’s arms – leave only Jesus’s footprints in the sand… He came to carry us.
Amen
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Isaiah 14:11-15 about the devil
All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you. How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; Iwill raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.
Romans 12:9-18
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; CLING TO WHAT IS GOOD. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Cockroach on wheels placed in my shoe… crazy grown up kids… I eventually displayed it on my yellow crocs… funny…
The cockroach on wheels was one of two specific items that remind me of friend L. H. – both crossed my eyes on the same day while cleaning my house. She gifted to me this cockroach on wheels into my shoe, during one woman’s retreat in our shared bathroom, now on my memorabilia windowsill and also the now framed beautiful cloth from Africa where she was a missionary. Back in the states, she continued with beautiful sharing at our women’s retreats and everywhere – I love her Spirit – gently and strong… She was a non-‘bible thumper’ in my concern of missionaries being that… she was gentle and she shared as much about her family as I did about mine – God does give us all perspective… God gives us friends…
I thought I would share this memory… Yes, 8 plus years ago, I couldn’t wait to share my new awakening with her, but she threw her back out so we couldn’t meet for lunch – that was Jan 30th for Feb 1st lunch, my awakening day, so much God stuff happened that day… and since she threw her back out, guess what? I had to write out that I accepted Jesus. God made me write all about my awakening to her. I subsequently put it in a blog – months after…
My writing is much more compact these days, this is from 2015, I just thank the Lord for making me write:
Please click on the link to understand how friendship allows the openness of sharing the Lord. I’m blessed to share.
The beauty of being in three or more scriptures all at the same time is that you can see how God can draw jumping lines between them all.
The beauty of the beach includes the waves coming over and over again. Isaiah 12, sings of God’s triumph, I think that we are to sing this over and over, because God wins over and over. The sunshine and sand were beautiful and there was plenty of distance between me and the rough sea. God puts His Love between us and the roughness of day to day life – we have comfort as we are drawn closer to Him.
I was so happy to dig into my Beach book, ‘Name Above All Names’, alongside Isaiah 12, it’s a great reminder of life, ever since Genesis, God and evil spar, this is in so many biblical examples and still today. So most of these thoughts are not novel, not mine, but connections are fresh to me when God put them together. For I connected Genesus talk to a devotion about Jesus on the cross and at the wedding saying “Woman” and not ‘Mother’ or ‘Mom’ to Mary, I wondered Jesus’ tone of voice. I thought how interesting it was that Jesus could look at any situation and the whole world with Divine insight in human eyesight.
What Mom is Mary? Not just an ordinary woman, and yet simply ordinary, just not raising an ordinary child. So what view does Jesus have of her? Both human view, as in love to Mom, and Divine view to fulfill prophecy in being the offspring of the woman giving seed into the world, the offspring of Israel’s tribe, from root of Jesse, and of Jesus being the ‘seed of the woman’ born to crush the snake of evil. Down with the devil.
Jesus may see and say all things to both fulfill scripture and do all things to be scripture. Jesus says to the woman, His human mom at the wedding, ‘don’t anticipate miracles’, my time has not yet come – AND to the earthly woman in Divine lineage from Eve as her seed, ‘my time is yet to come’. Woman. If He was angry, it faded, Jesus brought the best wine.
Jesus says to the woman at the cross, ‘behold your son’, meaning John will take care of her – AND ‘woman behold your son’ as the Divine collection of all of us to be held by the world until Jesus returns again. Jesus brings the best Time. He puts distance between us and our sins. He puts eternity into our hearts.
Remember, the wine at the wedding was the finest, best for last. Jesus brings us Salvation, and Forever, best for last. As the mother of the Son is cared for, imagine all the children of all time, Jesus cares for us all. God may show anger, as He did with the Israelites, but remember Salvation by Jesus is the comfort for our forevers…
Let us sing over and over to help others know our song is for the Son and for His Salvation.
Amen
—
Isaiah 12
In that day you will say: “I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
It’s taken me like an hour, digging and digging. Digging in joy, peace, tastiness and with LOTS of shell cracking. No, I’m not just talking about reading Old Isaiah at the beach, I’m talking about delicious crabs, seasoned with Old Bay, and garlic. An hour at least of nook and crannies to explore in just a couple crabs. Well worth it. I’m also talking about having the time for digging deeper into the Word, the Knowledge plus the Understanding of the Lord, AND digging to harvest meat, pure white delicious meat, crab and otherwise. Well worth it!
Digging never felt or tasted so good.
The Knowledge of the Lord is found in His Word and in our hearts. Knowledge that He has a purpose and plan. And who can stand against His Plan? Who can stand against God? No one.
The Understanding of the Lord is found in His Word and in our souls. Understanding that He is Love and He Loves. Who can negate His Love? Who can negate God? No one.
Isaiah spoke and wrote about Israel being brought out of exile even if they still were not always doing what God wanted. Isaiah said: For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?
No one.
Digging into God’s LOVE gives knowledge and understanding. The illumination opens eyes and hearts. The warmth like the sunshine bringing new life into old tomes, life into old bones. I’m loving this book of Isaiah.
Digging into the crabs? Where did I get them? Not here at the beach, haha. It IS my favorite new day trip beach, only 1hr 10 minute drive. But no crabs nor boardwalk here! Just beach. So instead of PBJ I brought these goodies from home, a deliciously short drive down to the crab company. Already seasoned already cooked – just $4.50 each – I already had the knowledge and understanding because I had the previous experience (delicious experience) of them. I knew where to look.
Digging into God’s Word? I knew where to look. Digging the Word finds it a home in our hearts, comforting and protective, inspiring and corrective. We already have the knowledge and understanding because we have the previous experience (Blessed experience) of Him. Now we are digging to find comfort and protection. Now we are experiencing what God wants – us looking for Him.
Keep digging my friends…
Amen
His yoke will be taken from my people, and his burden removed from their shoulders. This is the plan [purpose] determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? Isaiah 14:25-27
It only took a couple episodes of “Hoarders” on TV to make me start cleaning and then pitching things I don’t need – increasing donations of good things I don’t need. I didn’t mean to get sucked into the stories, I finished the netflix series I was watching and they do that “suggested for you” autoplay thing. I mean if I was watching the bakeoff show I started craving sweets – and they show a hoarders show and I start going ‘ut oh”, the opposite. Wow, how to both learn from these folks and their sad mental illness (these are extreme extreme folks being shown, most of us are OK) and how to study what went wrong. They say 90% of hoarders continue in their hoarding even after getting help.
In the episodes so far, as I try NOT to watch any more, they have much grief and strife that is unresolved. Yes there is TV drama editing, but the show does also show a progress of each person agreeing to get rid of more and more – especially since these cases show LOTS of family support and usually a government order to fix up their house or get their land taken away – racking up fees every day… It surprises me that the people are not moved out by their family but like all of us, we simply live day to day with our circumstances, no fairy Godmothers exist – not even on TV. This show seems opposite of ‘Extreme Homemakeover’ where those folks could never afford the new increased taxes or upkeep on their new mansions – that was a hit and run of fortune but way too much… ANYWAY… Why doesn’t anyone have a “downsizing’ show… They need a “peace-giving show” – not necessarily a “see others are doing it so I am OK show.”
Like I said these hoarder folks are extreme and we are told that they are funded with aftercare counseling and continued organizational services – they mostly (in the half-dozen episodes I watched) suffered from not letting go of the grief of a loved one and the items they said they couldn’t get rid of because it meant losing that person too. One episode the person shopped and shopped and the excess got moldy and not useful anyway. One woman thought “someone could use that’ but then her closet had hidden mouse droppings that freaked her out… In other words – you can’t take it with you AND the people here on earth shouldn’t try to save it either.
I have a decently big enough house for me and 2 kids – and that cat who knows every square inch and still wants to go outside – me too, I want to go outside and have the house as a place to come home to. Yes there are creature comforts and spaces, decorations and memories, safety and stability – those are all GOOD THINGS – but after watching the show I was reminded to just clean a little bit more so that I can enjoy even more by less “distractions” of “I need this”. GIve away those “I want to give this to X, Y, Z”. I cleaned out some trash, pared down my rag pile by using and tossing them, tossed 3 extra soap pumps for my shampoos (just in case the current one broke which it never has), and always try to do the sugar dump at work – giving them the half eaten bags of crap that I don’t need – especially from that overflow that came back after college semesters. SHED SHED SHED. I pulled together the overflowing paperwork into bags that will be going to be shred – I missed all the spring shred ones and maybe now it is time to purchase the home shredder – but these free services twice a year are so convenient. SHRED SHRED SHRED.
OH – came to my side dresser and that pile of “I will do it later” – OH – Jesus, my Jesus doll, was buried up to His Head. (It is a short doll, don’t worry – easy to clean). Jesus is the One who says “do it now” – “don’t worry about later” – “don’t store up your treasures on earth” – “God’s got this”… OK Jesus – I can unbury you by unburying myself in what I can get rid of – YES – I can unburden myself too – I can get rid of lots of worry, grief, false hopes, and simple stuff too. Yes, Jesus, You can help me clean and come clean. You can ALSO make me praise that I do have stuff to share and then just share it and don’t look back – let it go – go to You and go to others. GIve back by giving up the praise to give away… Pare down by pruning down… Start in one corner of my life and keep going.
It is wisdom that we live by – wisdom to let things go and wisdom to be resourceful… As for me today? I only watch TV at night just half an hour, and I did my cleaning and so now I am going to get myself to the BEACH for more bible reading and peace… That is wisdom of giving myself some place to sit in peace…
Ah that is what Jesus wants to give us EVERYDAY!
Amen
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Two Kinds of Wisdom – James 3:13-18
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 if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 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. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
…for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea… the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people…
It’s going to be interesting, End Times, it’s going to be REALLY REAL. And it WILL get worse before it gets better. I wouldn’t want to miss it for the world – but none of us will miss it – the one thing certain about the future is that it is coming.
The future. No, I’m NOT packing a travel bag now, but we should be unpacking our burdens and handing them over to Jesus. There is a higher Way outta here, and Jesus already did all the legwork.
But first, the time will come (soon many do say), when God brings a moment when the animals that normally spar with each other now will be at peace. Isaiah speaks of this time in order to give hope, comfort that this will be a time for the remnants of Israel and the Gentiles to be saved up, as followers of a rod stemming from the house of Jesse [that’s Jesus]. This time Isaiah is describing, scholars say, is the millennium also described in the book of Revelation. 1000 years of peace as satan, snake, asp, venomous dragon of a devil, is locked up before being completely defeated. Yes, there’s many special times in our future. It’s going to be more real than real.
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice [venomous snake’s] den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign [banner to rally around] of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. Isaiah 11:6-10
Ah……. The devil gets his due. Jesus strikes down and put His Hand over the snake’s ability to interfere. And as Genesis states, then Revelation states, Jesus IS the ALPHA and Omega, beginning and end, and really does crush the snake at the end as was told at the beginning. God told Adam and Eve (and that snake) of the consequences, but also of the Way. God recovers what was lost, His people to Him. The full knowledge of His presence will come again.
Isaiah first tells the people of the time, plus us, that God’s going to have His justice on the lost, and His mercy on the found. In the time of recovery, His people will have full knowledge of Him.
Know that the knowledge of the Lord brings us the Road map of the Way. Jesus WILL save our day.
Amen
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them. And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod.
And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt. Isaiah 11:11-16
Oh… it’s better than Back to the Future or Fantasy Island, the Prophet Isaiah speaks of Jesus 2nd return and Gathering His Flock from all the corners of the world. Isaiah spoke before Jesus had been born on Earth and yet God told of the completeness of that portion of His Coming by His Second Coming.
PART 1 – HE CAME – PART 2 – HE COMES AGAIN – WE ARE NOT IN “INTERMISSION” – BUT IN “INTERCESSION” BY HIS SPIRIT. He will come again. He is also here now by His Spirit in us.
INTERCESSION !!!
Isaiah 11 gives us hope, as Jesus won’t have judgment on us by His eyes or ears but by His Spirit which will judge us by His Righteousness. I always think of Jesus ‘righting us’ – standing us upright and then demonstrating our holiness by His covering over us. Not sweeping our sins under a rug, but banishing the sight of them. All to see is HIM.
We have the greatest news in Him because He came the first time and finished the prophecy of His sacrifice. Here on out it’s all about His recovery of each of us, now, while on earth, and then collection forever as His Own.
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,The Spirit of counsel and might,The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:1-2
Jesus as that rod from the stem of Jesse, and Jesus as the Vine in our branch, then I know He will reach me, reach us, way out there, and pull us close.
His delight is in the fear of the Lord, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth;He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath ofHis lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist. Isaiah:3-5
(Continuing writings from my beach day reading notes)
Woohoo!!!! Made it to a Christmas Miracle in a small package pre-delivered. I don’t mean wrapped gifts but unwrapped prophecy, Isaiah 7 8 9 !!! Isaiah told the nations of his time and tells us now what we should now know: Jesus is going to be born to save us, a King for judgement and peace. A Savior born savoring butter and honey, a BABY OH BABY, Jesus is a coming!!!
Wonderful Counselor – Mighty God -Prince of Peace – Immanuel – God WITH us !!!
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. Isaiah 7:14-15
Ah, BUTTER and HONEY !?! I never read that part until I actually got here, what joy in reading the whole Bible, savoring the study. What amazing TRUST that Jesus, Son, there from the beginning as the Word, the Light made flesh, must have held in Father God and all the Heavens to protect Him, being born helpless as a baby into a poor family but deep in spirit and estra taught by angel guidance. Butter and Honey – nourishing Him to know good joy. Yes, if Jesus could give up all He did to serve us all, then surely we could give up some things (including our fear and pride) to serve a few and many. And we CAN give up to the Lord our worries and our fear. And we can give over to the Lord our trust. Because if Jesus could, so can we. That’s a gift, Christmas-time and forever – strength to live like Jesus.
Ah, Isaiah as a prophet had God’s STRONG WARNING to the people in the current divided kingdom of Judah-Jerusalem-Just Anywhere Israel Was Going Wrong. He told them they best fear the Lord and NOT listen to faking spiritualists or mediums. Isaiah as a prophet had God’s Word to announce where their hope was going to come from, a Savior born earthly onto King David’s throne as prophesied to David himself.
“do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy...”
God through Isaiah warned against those coming who didn’t speak from the Word, and surely Jesus spoke SO MUCH from the scriptures to clearly visibly be Messiah, yet many then failed to see because they remained in darkness. Many now continue in darkness, illuminated and blinded by fake artificial distracting blitzes of worldly bling. WE NEED TO Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. WE ARE TO SHED LIGHT ON THE WORD AND ON JESUS AS SAVIOR.
If God told Isaiah to tell us, and Jesus told us to tell others, then let’s bring out the baby Jesus, Baby Oh Baby, and celebrate HIS WAY.
Amen and please read the passages:
Isaiah 8:11-15, 19-22
This is what the Lord says to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people: “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear,he is the one you are to dread. He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare. Many of them will stumble; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured.” Bind up this testimony of warning and seal up God’s instruction among my disciples. I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in him. Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion.
The Darkness Turns to Light
When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.
Isaiah 9:1-2, 6-8
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan –
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
…
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
I fall asleep early, then I am appreciative to wake up early for God and me to have this quiet time together. EARLY. Maybe I am not quiet enough, ever, He is still working on me being still. It’s like God is doing a diagnostic test of my system each morning after resetting me with repairative sleep. I wouldn’t trade these cool dark mornings with God for anything. That Light is already here in my heart to focus on, morning Light comes later. The window is open, has been all late summer, I love these summer bugs being free to make the loudest natural noises, and traffic is not yet buzzing its unnatural noise. The birds too start chirping, sometimes you get a early primordial screech of a fox or a cat. You can also hear your own brain too loud. Trivial stuff or serious stuff, God says ‘Shhhh… Listen to Me’.
Diagnostic tests and teachings, we are His children. He is ready to CHECK OUR ENGINE LIGHTS FOR PRAISE!
Yes, so many moments we are reminded to praise over pout. His Light installed and Illuminated in each of us, He wants us to Shine through to others. To say how can I complain when God is in control. To settle and strip the crud of humanness and earthly darkness away and get down to our core to FIND the LIGHT was always there, then polish what’s blocking His Spirit bulb, declutter our brains. God has woken us for another day of His Shining Purposes.
I have MUCH to be thankful for. I was sitting yesterday with my red car (for my son to drive, not my newer blue one) in the shop getting an inspection done. Had my laptop, worked on work. Had my ear buds in to drown out the dreary TV drama. I did put on music earbuds for focus on work, but then I also remembered that there were live feeds of the 9-11 coverage for the family members were reading the names of the lost at the waterfalls memorials at Ground Zero, NYC. This prime memory of 9-11 makes me count my own blessings – I checked my anger, sorrow, distractions and instead counted my own blessings of my loved ones alive or having had a natural death. I stopped and checked that my engine of PRAISE was still running.
My praise should always be: ‘Yes, Lord, I have this problem but You gave me an opportunity to depend upon You!”
(Kids, Life, Work, Health, you can insert any issue where we get an opportunity to lean on God for guidance)
That many months check engine light on the red Subaru, oh yeah… this 181,200 mile car is NOT vintage as a 2014, still in prime Subaru time, it HAS been a great car, my third Forester. It’s still not paid off, almost, 2 more months. I consider it a good investment into my son’s education now, I’ve invested 19 years into him, keep investing as the return on your investment is still worth it. God has invested all of eternity into each of us, His children, right? Do you throw anything away if it’s just starting to give you trouble? Nope. Do you do cost benefits analysis of money and repairs? Of course. Did God do that with us? You bet but He decided FIRST that we were worth it! To repair our original sin from a fall into darkness and recover us back to Himself to His Eternal Life, God our Father gave it His All, our All in All, in Jesus’s sacrifice. Now let’s check our LIGHT of PRAISE now! He did that for us before we were even born. He planned to rescue us before the earth was formed.
Yeah…
OK, back to the red car, the teaching tool of an under the hood problem to have, I mean a good problem to have, right? Haha. We DO have the time for discussion (inspection due in 3 months). We DO have potential resources including loans for other cars. And we DO have a repairable decent car, yes an 80,000 mile replacement engine in the 181,000 red car makes it half new in my book. The code is catalytic converter, 0420, I read it and clear it myself, nice little box tool, 35 dollars for clearing after checking. I know that catalytic converter probably damaged from misfires in the old engine, as my trusted engine replacement specialist states. A regular issue, expensive fix of precious metals in the unit to recapture gas fumes. Otherwise a decently good car, really good in my opinion, drives GREAT, and good enough to drive as a 50+ yr old let alone an 18+ yr old’s first car… I reset the light myself a few times and took the car for my highway trip to ‘run it through the paces’ with using those additive cleaners. Hmmmm, light stayed off commonly miles – but this time now 30, then 40, 50, ah 80, ah 100 miles!!!! Click click click made that appointment for inspection, give it a go 2 months early. So worth the gamble, well not a gamble if the Lord is casting lots on what you’ve put all your prep already into. (Remember these are just earthly tools and God’s reminding us to not be so attached to them. Still, would be nice, Lord, to keep this car a bit more!)
Teaching me to be patient, God had always forced set aside some time to make me think, time this particular day as well for it being 9-11, a reminder that the world is so imperfect. I found this day was a good time to drown out my whining of my little problems compared to these 9-11 peoples BIG problems. It was 2 hours I waited at the car dealer, plenty of time we make God wait trying to block out worldly noises with just earbuds, when we should just listen to Him, Lord God, and sing His Praises over our worries.
Maybe that’s why God invented summer bugs, to block out other noises and remind us it’s still summer. Maybe that’s why God instilled eternity into our hearts, so we would ponder BIGGER things forever. Maybe that’s why thorns in the side remind us: HIS GRACE is SUFFICIENT.
The car? PASSED INSPECTION!!!!!!!! No problem but one blown bulb, one, $20 not $2000 fix, whew, that check engine light not on, Thank God, and a window of opportunity to praise. That check engine light? CAME RIGHT BACK ON, HAHA, less than 5 miles later, YEAH! 120 miles off, inspection passed, 5 miles more, ding ding ding, God’s sense of humor. No, God is NO magician for fun, God wants our praise either way. This IS an earthly good problem to have. It could have gone either way but I should ONLY be in PRAISE.
But such funny timing huh? Good story I thought as I was admiring the 2024 stickers for 14 future months of not necessarily smooth sailing but at least passing inspection legally! I laughed in PRAISE, stopped for the photo. You did that Lord, yet another jam you got me out of, You gave me back what I WAS praying for: less debt, delayed car decisions, all while giving me teachable moment for my sin of impatience until I praised You first. A teaching tool of not throwing in the towel on a good car, nor good money over bad (not yet) into repair, a sturdy car still sturdy for my precious child over sporty silliness for anyone. (Yes, time for tires and new brakes, but oh yeah my son is worth that). A blessed thorny teaching tool of money talk, savings that may be earned towards a newer car a year from now. You could dlsay it’s just a car, but a second Subaru leash on life I will take for today. Just DRIVE, and let God LIGHT His engine of PRAISE in you.
May we all keep PASSING HIS Diagnostic TESTS, singing His PRAISE each morning. May we appreciate mercy each day, shining His Light in this darkness, be known by our thankfulness in good times and bad.
May Your Light Shine in Our Darkness, Lord.
Amen
David singing Psalm 30
I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
I cried to thee, O Lord; and unto the Lord I made supplication. What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
Ah, today is a day we remember. Anyone 22yrs and older, we were alive then. Anyone who has survived they remember. Those who did not survive, we remember. It’s 9-11, God Bless those souls. 9-11-2001 NY, PA, DC.
A 60 minutes special on TV last night freshly made tears and prayers for me, I highly recommend watching it (online at the link below). The story of the Fire Department of NY and 9-11 and how they are rebuilding, especially speaking with the children of those who perished, who are now part of the FDNY. They talked to one captain survivor asking: “do you question ‘why did I survive’ and not the others who were side by side with each other? The captain said he did, turned to his wife early on to ask, and she said: “It’s because you still have a job to do.”… Yes, they have been rebuilding the FDNY as a necessity and as a tribute and as therapy too. What do you do after 9-11? Remember by working for the recovery. And as a firefighter, love your job.
9-11 is forever in my memory. The recovery and rebuilding is remarkable in that city locale, it’s beautiful there. How also do we rebuild our hope, joy, and be a living example of God’s Love and sacrifice? Remember.
Remember why you were put on this earth in the first place, like those firefighters who sacrifice(d) so much. Remembering is something we should do. Remember and asking: Why am I here? Appreciating we ARE here. Here For LOVE, to be loved by God, to love God, to love each other. That’s big picture. LOVE. Then what’s today’s job? Remember. Remember then share love in hope, forgiveness, solemn tribute, sorrow, always understanding, then also share joy. Share joy because God’s forever goodness as well as justice is never negated by worldly wars, worry, and worst circumstances. Light overcomes the darkness. Be the Light today. Put the worries of today in His Hands. Put the work of today in His hands too. Our lives are short – but we can make the best of them. we can.
Remember: There’s still work to be done.
Amen
Amen and God Bless those firefighters and first responders and everyone who remembers.
Ecclesiastes 9 KJV:1, 10-13 then 7-9 by Solomon, wisdom after a long life of ups and downs, observing life and trying to focus on hope: We are to live joyfully and share hope.
For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
…
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
…
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
Verses 7-9 NKJV
Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; For God has already accepted your works. Let your garments always be white, And let your head lack no oil.
Live joyfully with whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.
—–
David wrote, Psalm 102:
A prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the Lord. Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.
For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. In my distress I groan aloud and am reduced to skin and bones. I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof. All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse. For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside. My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations. You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity. The nations will fear the name of the Lord, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. For the Lord will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea. Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord: “The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.” So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the Lord. In the course of my life he broke my strength; he cut short my days. So I said: “Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations. In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you.”
I was blessed to share a sermon today about Solomon’s Wisdom – and Jesus’s Light. [I was dressed as the Queen of Sheba – fancy dress, cape, and crown – and spoke as if being Queen of Sheba]
Theme: Wisdom to Spare and Share: Wisdom over Riches, but Solomon got both. The Queen of Sheba also left with more than she came with (including wisdom and now faith). We also are receiving more than we ask, receiving all eternity into our hearts because of Jesus.
Scripture reading: The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon, 2nd Chronicles 9:1-9, 12
When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at[a] the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed. She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the Lord your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.”
Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. There had never been such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for; he gave her more than she had brought to him. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country.
Oh – Fancy meeting all of you here at Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem! Isn’t it fun to travel????
YES, I have travelled a LONG way – WOW – oh it was so very long – Do you know how HARD it is to have people carry you all the way from Africa ?? WHEW, but I’m an easy traveler especially because there are plenty of my lovely people to come with me – yes yes – but it wasn’t always easy – some of our camels “check engine lights” came on along the way – whew – but now that I am here I can see it was SO very worth it to come.
I have brought you all these gifts of spices! I am SO happy to share – I really brought them to my now friend, your great King Solomon!! Oh you Israelites are SO fortunate to have him as your King – I had to come see for myself what the whole buzz was about…
YES – I am the Queen of Sheba – I have a vast kingdom myself which you may be more familiar with by the newer names of Yemen and Ethiopia in the North part of Africa – yes I travelled so long – some say it was 3 years maybe 7 years for me to arrive to see Solomon – but all I know is that it was SO WORTH IT – to come learn and see for myself all about your Solomon – wow – I brought him 120 Talents of God – say you young man – you are about 75lbs right? Yes a talent of gold is about 75lbs – and I brought King Solomon 120 of them – yes brought 120 of you!!! AND we also brought the finest spices and precious stones too.
Ah – why did I come? What’s all the buzz? Let me tell you all about the great WISDOM I heard with my own ears – oh yes I had LOTS AND LOTS OF QUESTIONS – HARD QUESTIONS – and he answered them all with ease from gaining this wisdom. And what wealth I saw in his house and in the temple for God – and the great treatment of the people – by your King Solomon – yes that I saw with my own eyes – such majestic kingly power and firm control by your King Solomon here!!! You folks must really love your God of you Israelites – and He must REALLY LOVE YOU!!! An ark too? You are saying that your ancestors carried a whole box of material that Your God said to keep to remember what He provided since Moses’s time – wow – but now you have this magnificent temple to store it in – awesome. Hope that ark doesn’t get lost – I imagine that Raiders would like to steal an Ark like that… KEEP THAT LID CLOSED!
And oh my, I heard that Solomon’s dad, King David, collected all the supplies ahead of time to build this awe-inspiring temple – Now isn’t that a story in in itself of David killing Goliath – being just a shepherd boy picked to be King – and sure we heard all the gossip of the crazy ways of David – and yet he always turned back to God – he was a man after God’s heart – and WOW – I heard that eventually someone from the House of David is going to bear you a Savior – an even greater king – a Light in the Darkness – but wow – how can you exceed a man like King Solomon – must have to be a Lord Almighty Who will be coming – and Oh what wonderful music you folks have been singing from these Psalms of David – keep on singing them – it gives people hope!
So this is what I heard about your Solomon – that he didn’t even ask for any of these amazing gold finds and these riches – NO – that he asked your God – the God of the Israelites for WISDOM and Discernment when he was very young – just a boy king – not for riches but wisdom in order to lead you as his people – oh yes, he said to God:
“You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. Now, Lord my God, you have made me, your servant, a king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.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?”
Oh yes – the Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this wisdom over riches. So God said to him in a dream: “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 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. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”
———–
WOW! I love his poems and sayings about wisdom: -The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
–Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?
–The Lord brought me [wisdom] forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;
–I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
-Blessed are those who keep my ways… For those who find me find life…
Yes, I also heard this amazing story about Solomon’s Wisdom in action – it was showed how the people needed Solomon and God’s wisdom – they sought it out –
*** Here is the story: Now two women came to King Solomon and stood before him. One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me. The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us.
“During the night this woman’s son died. So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.” The other woman said, “No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.” But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.” And so they argued before the king… The king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king. He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.”
The woman whose son was alive (the real mother) was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give the living baby to her! Don’t kill him!” But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”
Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.” When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.
Oh how amazing – once I heard this story, I certainly told Solomon that I respected what this God of his did for him – and I am also amazed in this God – He is truly a God of mercy and power to instill such wisdom into this king and help all these people – I hope they keep listening – you know how kingdoms fall apart so easily these days!!!
I said to the king, “Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the Lord your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.”
Then I gave to the King: the gold the spices the gemstones… Your King Solomon gave to me, the Queen of Sheba, all that I desired and asked for, and then some…; he gave me more than I had brought to him as I left and returned to my own country. ——
[now speaking as Debbie, not the Queen] Let me take my crown off now and remember how blessed we ALL are when we ALSO take advantage of seeking out and listening to God’s Wisdom – even if we can’t imagine or understand it all… I have a wonderful conversation this week about how FINITE we are and how INFINITE God is – and yet how much He loves us to complete us – we will be in AWE of Him.
Wisdom and Discernment, knowledge and decisions, there is no greater prayer that I could have about myself and life then to ask the Lord to help me with discernment. We have many choices, we need His help and Direction. We have the ability to tap into His Wisdom.
Wisdom was given to Solomon to Spareand to Share – unfortunately Solomon did not always honor or reach back to God to stay close – but he was known for his wisdom and that temple. Sadly the Kingdom itself was split into two after Solomons time and the Israelites were exiled again – temple plundered – carried off to Babylon – after that time, the people always looked again for an earthly King – but one did not arrive – there was, however, a HEAVENLY KING, who was to rise from that “remnant of the House of David” – to be the LIGHT – to come out of Judah of all places – a king born in Bethlehem.
This was, and is, Jesus and He Himself is our amazing teacher and the reacher to us – Our Light – I was reminded in the story of the 2 mothers that one carried the Light even in her sacrifice of saying she would rather give up the child than see him killed – this same mother was the one who reached for wisdom and the other one was in darkness – how sad that she remained in darkness as she even said that neither of them should have the child… This is a sad and we should not judge the pain she was in – but acknowledge that darkness can cloud our own thinking. We need the Light always – in good times and in bad – we need Jesus both for forgiveness and for the understanding that following Him is best – SHINE HIS LIGHT.
The Queen of Sheba had all material things but what is that she went to find? The Wisdom – the Light – the amazement of God. Remember the Queen of Sheba gained more than she came with – this is us too – listen to Jesus and we gain ALL of eternity in our hearts…
Jesus taught us (Luke 12:25-31): Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you…
Let us Pray: Certainly, we are BLESSED, we LIKE the QUEEN OF SHEBA, gain much more from God than we brought to this earth – we started as dust and You Lord added Your Living Water to help our dust be re-born – how exciting that we will be worship YOU LORD – the Real Temple – in Heaven forever.
AMEN
In the Children’s Message, I shared about the Queen of Sheba having so much but wanting to come hear about the amazing wisdom that Solomon had – also in the children’s message I mentioned that Solomon was young and he had to be a ruler – a king – so he called on God to help and God will ALWAYS help us.
I told the children about Wisdom – a big word Discernment – and that we pray and we ask God to help us decide on things – we ask for his help. We talk to God and listen.
[We also smelled some of the spices she may have brought – and I gave out a gold crown to each child.]
I read part of one of Solomon’s poems: Proverbs 3 13-17
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies;nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
I love that I can reread these marked up lines in my physical Bible (see photo taken at the beach last week). I need to learn the Word to be accurate in it but also understand how what when and why Jesus came. Inspired from Isaiah verse 6, I marked it up – especially cool to hear about God calling Isaiah, I said ‘come back to write about’ this. Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.”
At a work training lately we have been remembering that the ‘Eisenhower Matrix’ helps us schedule tasks, Do Delegate Decide Delete, based on important or not, urgent or not. I appreciate this reminder to not spin my wheels, not multitask myself into getting practically nothing done, and ‘share the wealth of work’. I need to use it more, we all waste time not doing the things we should be doing. We have so many jobs so various and yet up to us, often, for how to get it done. Honestly I rely on the Lord not enough, it is SO important for someone in my position to literally come in and see where the Lord needs me to use my energies, what to do that day, it changes. There is much to do, but let us let the Lord shine the Light on the day.
Our callings and also simple rest will change in different days. Wherever we are in our faith, we have a calling to LISTEN, to sometimes or often act, to sometimes wait, to sometimes walk away. I’m always intrigued when God says DON’T do something. Worthy to work, yes. OK to sit, yes. Never wanting us to worry. ALWAYS willed to Worship, ALWAYS.
“HERE I AM LORD, SEND ME.” Is what Isaiah said, for he became a prophet for helping God motivate people into correction and HOPE. He had to warn them but mention the blessed hope of Jesus Savior coming.
Isaiah was amazed that God was picking him let alone speaking to him, essentially Isaiah said back to God: ‘I can’t do that! I’m not clean!’ But God showed him that He wanted him to help anyway, and found a way, and gave him a cleansing (us too). For Isaiah, amazingly, an angel cleaned up what was standing in his way by touching his lips with a coal from the Lord’s altar. The most important role now was speaking for God.
We should be so willing to ask the Lord to clean up our words – clean up our thoughts – clean up our act yes but our message for sure… Wherever we go, we can take the Lord with us, absorb His message from the Bible, see His hope in us, cultivate our listening, hear Him speaking to us from the Word, the moving Lines of His Face becoming the Lines of our Faith, embedded in our brains and ready for teaching and especially living. Each day is a new day. What tasks can we consider most urgent and important? Ask God. What do we leave behind? Ask God to help you prioritize, purge, pursue, pray on. Not everyone (very few) are called to prophesy – so ask God if that is you or not – may totally not be! God has many many gifts for us to share – encouragement is mine – so to be accurate in my encouragement I have to LEARN HIM MORE – learn His Ways (always above ours) – and Learn to listen to HIS HEART over my head. Then say: Lord, send me. I bet like for Isaiah, the message and the material will be set differently for each situation – we do need to be ready and then rely on God.
I’ve attached photos of my bibles of the moment. This new to me version is a King James Version and I like that as ‘classic’, the print is easy read – a physical tool that I thought could help me, so I don’t feel guilty marking it up with a pen, especially since I got it on sale, this can now be my travel ‘Beach Bible’ – easy to read in the sun with shades… My pink one is New King James Version, for home, it’s PINK because why not, I can also find it more easily, got that on sale too. My bible overview will help me connect the pieces. And my ‘go to’ Bible? On my phone of course. I use the Bible on my phone everyday, convenient for wherever I am, BibleGateway online… and that’s how I copy this important passage from Isaiah (see below). In order to do God’s work, we need to listen to Him first. Then say “Here I am, send me.”
DO. Don’t disregard or delegate His direction. Say: “Here I am Lord, Send Me.”
Amen
Isaiah Called to Be a Prophet, chapter 6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.
So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.”
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ “Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.”
Then I said, “Lord, how long?” And He answered: “Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, The houses are without a man, The land is utterly desolate, The Lord has removed men far away, And the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. But yet a tenth will be in it, And will return and be for consuming, as a terebinth tree or as an oak, whose stump remains when it is cut down. So the holy seed shall be its stump.”
Was a great “SNAP” of a Lego piece of faith into my ever-building brain of understanding – about FOREVER – I describe these “aha” moments like that – a “geez, of course” new level of understanding – or at least a “I remembered what I had forgotten” tidbit… I now understand FOREVER just a little bit more now. FOREVER – who can wrap their heads around that?
I have been thinking, these last few weeks more intensely, that I really do wonder WHAT we will be doing for FOREVER – like WHAT will Heaven look like? (we have some bible clues – but I am sure the message of not worrying what each day brings will continue in Heaven) – HOW will we know people we never met? – Will we be singing forever? – Will we be just sitting under that tree of life just chillin’? – Will we be meeting new people and old people on a rotation basis? – and my BIG question: WILL WE EVER GET BORED IN HEAVEN? – (what a silly non-still question, huh? But I’m still wondering)… Well, I am sure that we CAN’T be bored – but I surely can’t wrap my head around how what huh of forever… WELL, NOW I CAN rest assured, just a bit more…
See, I was pondering things when I heard an explanation from a preaching pastor about Heaven that switched my head from looking at MY experience in Heaven and instead appreciate my WORSHIP (our worship) of JESUS more in Heaven – an exploring appreciative “aha” moment meant that the Lego puzzle section my brain was searching for finally got one more piece installed. The pastor was teaching about Exodus and the Passover that God used, would see the blood and pass over the people – not dependent upon the people but by the blood and now that Jesus is Lord and Savior and finished the job of our salvation, that the Blood of Jesus will be what God sees and we are passed over from suffering death. Here is the Lego piece: In Heaven we will be FOREVER seeing the infinite sacrifice of Jesus – appreciating Him but actually seeing how much He took on for us. – SNAP!!! That’s what we will be seeing – I realized that I had to rotate my eyes and see not my role in Heaven (yes I will be singing), but see what Jesus DID to get us to Heaven – see the sacrifice – see the necessity- and keep gazing on Him… These things I knew – but that distraction of “I know we won’t be bored in Heaven, but…” was needing re-focusing. Yes, Jesus – ah, what a VIEW and vantage point maker too.
During this night study my vantage point was perfect – a close enough pew – to sing like 15 feet from the band, to see expressions from the pastor in the pulpit, AND then I saw walking in, just sitting, senior of senior pastors (and the lecturing Pastor’s dad) and AMAZING teacher – best teacher preacher reacher for bible knowledge and just plain interesting stuff that he shares in a methodical passage by passage way – Holy Spirit Fabulous… (the learning opportunity in my own backyard, blessed to learn)… Ah, it was the end of the service now and although I really wanted to tell Pastor about this Lego piece of mine – he was talking to a couple others – so I kept my eye on Pastor dad and the opportunity was just right – I walked over and said Hi and asked – “can we take a photo together – I would love to send to my friend who moved away and loves your sermons like I do” – I know, silly me, but hey! I like to be an encourager and I like to have memories of my encouragement and good fortune – BLESSED.
Well, of course I ALSO had the opportunity to talk a little bit about this realization lego piece of Heaven – that of course I knew we would be worshiping in Heave but this “do we have something to do the whole time” was something on my brain… Pastor dad chimed in with wisdom of reminding me that we are finite – Jesus is infinite – we are approaching and always will be approaching Him – even and forever in Heaven – and Jesus IS infinite and with our finite understanding, “Who can ever wrap their head around that???!!!” EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!
EXACTLY…
Remember in Lego piece building, whether in your head about faith tenements or in physical blocks, we are always building upon building – we will always have more to climb and experience and know… will we be board in Heaven? NO WAY… Jesus our infinite Savior, Lord, Guide, Brother, Servent Shepard will ALWAYS be Greater than All… Keeping us in AWE.
Amen Amen Amen
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3
One big seashell of teaching from Isaiah 5. First remember that God spoke through the prophets to teach reach.
Prophet Isaiah said Israel was in the midst of sour grapes – well, they never got to taste any pruned grapes that they thought they were growing, it was wild grapes they got instead of choice premium grapes. In other words, Israel, in the time of Isaiah, was going nowhere fast. Sour grapes.
God planted a GOOD grape vine, but because of the action of rebellion, they got whine instead of wine. Over and over again from rebuking God and His appointed leaders, judges, kings, the Israel people fell apart, landed themselves in exile (again).
Yet what warning was God continually warning throughout the Old Testament? Don’t rely or exonerate or show your need for kings – but be a people who listen to God. Plain and simple is how Samuel explained it to the people back before Saul was chosen then unchosen as king – Samuel explained that God just wanted people to listen to Him – live as He commanded. When the people were left to their own devices, they made a system that only broke their backs, caused false worship, spoiled the crops of goodness that could have come out of them. Yet there was already in the Plan an ability to bring us back – and as we all know, this world was broken from the beginning after Adam was born and rebelled. God saw and acknowledged the brokenness before anyone could, and He pointed it out again and again as a warning to others and to us…
God sent Jesus and Jesus “wrote” Himself into the world to right the wrong – crush evil and collect the remnants into the tapesty of them and us into His Kingdom. He takes mercy on those whom lived and cried out to Him. For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
In otherwords, they need Him – we need Him – we all should have and will need to rely on Him. We have LOTS of examples – and these days are also a mixture of good things and bad things – and lots of confusing things – but in all we must remember that God will use ALL things – ALL people – good and bad – to bring about His completion and His corraling and His punishment and His righteousness – and especially HIS GOOD WINE from His Vinyard.
The punishment of Israel came from enemies God let linger – “in that day they will roar over it like the roaring of the sea.” – maybe we need to hear crashing waves to to respect God’s corrective power.
We are reminded that we must acknowledge the world gone crazy but that is not to be used as our excuse. We KNOW better, can learn better, to shine the Light. We must remember that God is the depositor of our Light – the Holy Spirit in us is Jesus shining thru. We are to be the embers still on fire, to remember that we are people of a different kind of captivity now but we do KNOW our KING over all things – and we must keep going – listening to God.
Israel sees this pain in exiled Babylon – but is told thru the prophets to keep looking towards the LIGHT – and get out of Babylon too. Isaiah will keep teaching and teaching – SOME will listen and understand. Some will hope to. Isaiah will promise that the Savior IS coming. Let us listen now and always to how God fights the evil with LIGHT – we do have this knowledge: Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.
Let us KNOW this Light in Jesus and KNOW His Calling in our lives.
It was finally quiet-me-down time. God found that window of His opportunity (again). He settled me to BOTH go to the beach again (YAY) and also open His Good Book, nestling into the prophet Isaiah. Yes, it was 92 at home, 82 at the beach, and 72 in the water. So nice. I did get to this new beach after laboring just enough cleaning up my house. First Saturday regular beach with a friend, tis the season! Then Sunday churches (2), and then scrubbing the house. Then I was ready to RELAX on Labor Day Monday. Relax in the Lord’s Light, and provisions. AHHHHHH…..
Great provisions of a near private beach, public with lifeguards still, but with no one selling or checking tags, free off-street parking spot, hmmmm you would think God took care of these details, nice. Yes, temperatures much cooler, sand was PERFECT (and scattered and numerous as the children of Israel are), lots of seashells to collect, just as prevalent as collecting my thoughts (and in the book of Isaiah, I focused upon the BIG ONES.)
I nestled in, snacks, water, sun, sand, shade, sunblock, soul-satisfying STILLness. I also brought my other beach book which reminds me what I know is true – it is the LORD Who makes us hunger for Him.
Isaiah – oh – an explanation of what Isaiah was writing about, same as Genesis and the whole Bible: Jesus was needed. Jesus was coming. Jesus would/did/will WIN. Quoting from my bible’s book preface: “Isaiah is like a miniature Bible. The first thirty-nine chapters (like the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament) are filled with judgement upon immoral idolatrous men. Judah has sinned; the surrounding nations have sinned ; the whole earth has sinned. Judgement must come, for God cannot allow such blatant sin to go unpunished forever. But the final twenty-seven chapters (like the twenty-seven books of the New Testament) declare a message of hope. The Messiah is coming as a Savior and a Sovereign to bear a cross and to wear a crown. “
Cool… so I read chapter 1 thru 11 whole chapters… not all at once, got some swimming and napping in, and I took physical notes for later. The paper Bible on the beach was both necessary and neat, as my phone battery never would last as long as the Word.
I will be writing a few days from this… stay tuned… turning the page into God’s Plan…
“Winds in the east, mist coming in / Like somethin’ is brewin’ and ’bout to begin / Can’t put me finger on what lies in store / But I feel what’s to happen all happened before.”
It’s the first day of school for so many… It’s also a new school on a new opening day for at least one teacher friend… Not only is Mary Poppins a good example of popping into a moment of time to help, she is also one who leaves when her job is done. (It’s emotional for her, but she suppresses that because she knows her work is necessary whether appreciated or not. Well, at least Burt sees it. She doesn’t even have time to make a fuss, just do it. Just start the job and let them finish.)
“In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and — SNAP — the job’s a game!” — Mary Poppins
The wind shifts and Mary Poppins knows to arrive – that the job is hers to take – the wind itself blew away the others – then soon after, when things are set more right, she is done – It’s a short stint – one season. Ah, if we too could pick up on clues like that… In her case, a nanny helps, a teacher helps, then it’s time for parents to get back into the mix. In our case, we need to know how to rely upon God ALWAYS for our next move in or out – and/or for when we stay.
There is a season for everything, and then it’s done, or at least your part is.
So people need help. You sometimes need help. And all people need prayers. Let us all be encouragement and encouraged today, back to school. Even if we aren’t there, we could all pray for them all and ask God to inspire them to keep keepin’ on!
Jesus said: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
I knew this was a great name for a ship as well as a great photo opportunity. RELENTLESS. And oh what a beautiful view… I briefly stopped, and want to revisit this fishing pier. Maybe I can soon. My ‘Anchored’ T-shirt reminds me of You Lord being my foundation.
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
It’s Labor Day, not a holiday where we are obligated to do anything, even though we should remember those hard workers who really did improve working conditions, enacted labor laws and better treatment. I might clean my house or get back to a beach today, yeah, but why do I feel this pull? It is because summer is fading fast. Soak up the sand and take at the beach to rest to think about the Lord who blesses and yet listen to the mighty roar of the waves and know He is Lord of all. For in me, in us, He wants us to focus on Him. He is RELENTLESS in wrestling distractions, think Peter still walking on that water.
Yes, RELENTLESS is the Lord’s Spirit inside us Who doesn’t stop working – calling and working on us- and for HIS Glory. “I will not yield my glory to another.” The Lord wants us to know Him and His Spirit. Yes, the Lord is RELENTLESS, instilling in us a RELENTLESS SPIRIT.
I put off starting my reading but now will crack open the next section of the Old Testament, Isaiah on forward, prophets prophets prophets. Me thinking I need the mindset of ‘not in summer mode’, but God says don’t wait, these days until Jesus comes again ARE short, not just the summer. And what did God do for RELENTLESS reminders? Keep dropping in huge verses of Isaiah in regular day passages. Isaiah is going to be a huge part of my understanding of how Jesus was foretold. I’m SO appreciative. God says LEARN THIS of how God was working on His people Israel. God is telling us all (now that His Word and Spirit has opened for the Gentiles too) what he told the people then, starting with Moses writing down Genesis, that Jesus would be born to win over sin, crush the devil, cover us with grace. God also told them to flee Babylon, He had already chosen who would win (hmmm, He tells us this too, that Jesus will and has won). The old testament is a testament to the new.
God speaks much through prophet Isaiah that He is slow to anger, and has a remnant of people (remember these Israelites have been a tough crowd to corral) who will experience a NEW CREATION (though many in that time won’t recognize it), and tells them also that He is not willing for others to make up their own idols and take credit for His majesty and plan. God’s Glory is God’s. Our God IS a jealous God, and all glory and honor due is His.
Now, reading ahead in Isaiah 48, as he uses Isaiah to instruct the people, God is telling them they could have listened before, when they were promised promised lands, and listened before going down a bad way leading to exile in captivity in Babylon, that “your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea. Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be blotted out nor destroyed from before me.”
Let us not forget to listen to God now. Let us hold onto Jesus because He is holding on to us. Jesus was there in the beginning and His Word says He Wins. Let us get on board with His RELENTLESS SPIRIT now, and ride the waves of life.
Enjoy today, whether you are working or resting, traveling or sitting. Know that God is going to keep all things going on His behalf (good and evil), making the best of our humanness by letting Jesus lead us. “I am he; I am the first and I am the last. My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens;...” YES!!!
Thank You Lord for this reminder that You are IN CHARGE. Let us be appreciative of Your RELENTLESS LOVE.
Amen
—
Isaiah 48:
“Listen to this, you descendants of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel and come from the line of Judah, you who take oaths in the name of the Lord and invoke the God of Israel— but not in truth or righteousness— you who call yourselves citizens of the holy city and claim to rely on the God of Israel— the Lord Almighty is his name: I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass. For I knew how stubborn you were; your neck muscles were iron, your forehead was bronze. Therefore I told you these things long ago; before they happened I announced them to you so that you could not say, ‘My images brought them about; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.’ You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them?
“From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. So you cannot say, ‘Yes, I knew of them.’ You have neither heard nor understood; from of old your ears have not been open.
Well do I know how treacherous you are; you were called a rebel from birth. For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely. See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.
Israel Freed
“Listen to me, Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last. My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together.
“Come together, all of you, and listen: Which of the idols has foretold these things? The Lord’s chosen ally will carry out his purpose against Babylon; his arm will be against the Babylonians. I, even I, have spoken, yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission.
“Come near me and listen to this: “From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens, I am there.” And now the Sovereign Lord has sent me, endowed with his Spirit. This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea. Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains;
their name would never be blotted out nor destroyed from before me.”
Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians! Announce this with shouts of joy and proclaim it.
Send it out to the ends of the earth; say, “The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob.” They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock; he split the rock and water gushed out. “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
I have this special blue plastic fork, I don’t really know why I kept it but I just did – and so now I will keep keeping it. Three years ago I got this fork at a wonderful party, filled up a plate to go, took the fork too, ate the food later. YUM. But it was “risky business”, according to some. This was the first summer of the pandemic (remember that?! 2020), and it WAS easing enough in covid cases that my college sophmore was allowed back on campus (THANK GOD), which also meant some folks felt OK having parties (hey no judgment). And yet, it was still pre-vaccination time, so to get back into college, we had the last minute official COVID test (PCR, this was before self-tests too), then upload the form, and adhere to strict rules and show up at exact times for move in… WHEW… (Remember that? 3 years ago? Oh how quickly we forget, but we got through it!). So on the way to campus, we made a quick stop at a friend’s party. Just stayed outside. Just a quick Hi. Of course all masked up, 20 minutes max.
We stayed safe in the nice breeze that day, outside IS the best. The food, however, was inside, hmmm… Insects vs covid caution? Insects are ALWAYS a bugaboo. I dashed inside for a moment, quickly grabbed a takeout plate, and this blue fork. I risked it, food over fear, friendship over fear, just I’m a risk-taker normally, I mean I risked spaghetti-sauced meatballs in the car, but I knew my chances of COVID catching were very minimal (in my opinion and scientifically) by only 5 minutes inside. How human of me, of course, my stomach overtook in influence… And it’s OK to know that it is human nature to worry, and it’s human nature to not be cautious enough. We don’t want to be flippant ignorant of what others worry about. (You don’t have to grandstand for meatballs). You can also take a pass, fast even and say I wouldn’t eat them now anyway. (Isn’t that what fridges are for?)
We make choices in life. I’m glad we were OK from that day, no problem in the big city or driving or car spaghetti sauce. In all we should wash our hands and keep going. Maybe this blue fork reminds me that we should LIVE LIFE – “fork over fear” – be smart but not paranoid. Be cautious but not crazy. Be vigilant for risk, but rationalize it first. ALWAYS CONSULT THE LORD!!! I think we surely learned a lot about ourselves in the pandemic, individually and collectively. I HOPE WE LEARNED TO RELY ON THE LORD MORE!
YES! Life is all about being anchored and trusting Jesus, trust in the Lord’s protection and His safety net too.
I pray a safe enjoyable day EVERYDAY for us all, thinking of the opportunities and the saving graces… I do hope you get to fork over fear and eat the meatballs, or cake, of life.
Enjoy today!
Amen
—-
Matthew 6: excerpts16-34
Fasting
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Do Not Worry
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Crossword puzzle 87 across was TREE of Heaven, silly me, not GATE. I mean you can’t blame my instant recall memory – we have heard of the ‘Pearly Gate’ of Heaven a lot in folklore. This oops held up this crucial middle section of the puzzle. I REALLY was close to finishing it, the simple block of my assumption that I was right by “gate” stopped me from completion. Let’s not let our worldly “I’m right” stop us from accepting humbly “I’m wrong” on occasion. (and don’t worry it is only a crossword puzzle – there will be a new one tomorrow)
I can even see endless cartoon images of God or St. Peter taking check-ins with a podium at the gate. We think Gate of Heaven as our physical block to getting in but it’s traditional folklore, not scriptural. Scripture mentions parts of gates and Peter with keys to the kingdom, but let’s not get drawn into thinking it is us needing to “work our way” to Heaven, because Jesus is the ONLY GATE we need to acknowledge, love, appreciate, believe in.
Believe in Jesus.
Believe in the TREE. Believe that there is good stuff in the Tree of Life – saved for us for forever… See the Book of Revelation, chapter 22:1-5 – I am in no rush but I can’t wait!!! The River of Life – And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
A good lesson of NOT a Tree of Heaven but a TREE of a man being cut down and corrected by God is in Old Testament King Nebuchadnezzar, written about in Daniel 4 – the King envisioned a tree in his dream and Daniel interpreted it – the tree was the king and was cut down because he was going against God – and all throughout and at the end of Nebuchadnezzar’s life it was true, he thought of himself and his achievements without praising God, and then at the very very end that king acknowledged God’s glory.
How better for us to acknowledge God’s Glory now – how better to walk with Jesus TO Heaven rather than wait to see if we get in – how better to almost taste that Tree of Heaven on our lips now with hopes of fulfilment in Heaven one day. If the leaves are the Healing of the Nations, then how best we fill in our own crosswords with the words: Peace, Love, Forgiveness, Hope – and JESUS…
Jesus IS the WORD of LIFE. His Cross – His Word – His Life – Our Forever.
It’s not easy raising kids, but SO worth it. We all know that, and yes, we all know we get through it. Prayerfully we do. I realized – and realize – it’s not ‘somehow’. It’s the “God-how”!!! Yes, maybe “God, how?”, we might ask! But Oh YEAH, it is an answer of God-HOW!!! God is how it all comes together… WHEW!!!
God’s How and God’s help and God’s power is how we get through everything – year by year – day by day – He helps moment by moment.
About 2 weeks ago, I really was pulling back and forth in my head – thinking how do I react to this and that – with my children now adulting. YES. Life choices, health choices, new driver, car quandaries, school or not school, working or not working, lifestyles, money money money… all All ALL… How do I have my own principles stated for things I don’t agree on, keep my stand, YET be supportive and everything, EVERYTHING, especially as a mom (thankful for a village of help) but doing this raising thing for years and years now best I can. Really, how do you parent your adult children??? !!!
In this questioning, I RAISED my hand as in: “Jesus, please pull me out of these waves of the water of ‘What to do’s’…” PLEASE!. I heard ONE SOLID ANSWER from the Lord, He said: “LOVE THEM!”…. THAT’S THE TRUTH !!! NO negotiation there. I heard God tell me the REAL job I have as a mom, was to LOVE. Just to hear the Word ‘LOVE” is a good thing and a God thing since God IS LOVE.. Wow… that was direct! That was God! That makes sense… It IS LOVE that God equipped me with plus commands me to do. It IS LOVE that I know how to do. It IS LOVE that the Lord demonstrates for me too.
Forever LOVE, be patient, forgive, be there, support, teach, and give. Let go too, let God handle each person in His Hand, and remind others by living your faith that you trust yourself and your loved ones IN GOD’S HAND.. Be there always so that in their mind they remember you as someone who loves them. LOVE.
Love
Over
Virtually (actually)
Everything
LOVE, takes the pressure off huh? No wind and waves to rock the boat of LOVE, calmness then keep-going-ness. Thank You Lord, because you took the burden off me. I know how to Love. I LOVE my children as children and as adults and I always will and I hope they always know that.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
Apparently it was like the Jeopardy lightning round, education time, from my bench-sitting older gentleman Italian-heritage former salesman of lighting fixtures for malls up-and-down the East Coast “random” gregarious sharer of info on this Sunday. Having needed shade and rest after climbing the TALL Lighthouse, this co-resting gentleman educated me on everything from the ABCs of east coast lighthouses to the widest channel of water in the area for the boats, to the 1950’s purchase of his family’s beach place. He couldn’t climb anymore but he knew how to entertain and to share, to look to connect with many people, and I appreciated it as I rested my feet from 201+16 steps of the 172 foot tall spiral staircase. His feet kept him grounded this time, while waiting for others in his party. Then when the same joke was reissued to a newcomer newly resting near our bench, I picked up and stepped away ready to keep moving. I’m sure we might catch up in Heaven someday. This man made a “Daymark” in my memory, knowledge of where the nice conversation was going, a mark of note in enriching my day and me being ears to listen for his, a “Daymark” meaning his colorful nature was distinct and recognizable, I enjoyed listening and learning.
A “Daymark” he explained, was not just the name of a shop along the road. Daymark means the color markings due to paint on the lighthouse, so that during the day, the boats could recognize their location, by the distinctive markings. Making the lighthouse unique, that’s the Daymark.
That’s how I navigated this Sunday, uniquely Unique. Recognition of a Sunday to rest in the Lord’s Presence with His people. My day was unique, starting with sunrise at the seashore. Actually this IS unique that I even got to get to the shore for a whole weekend, for last bits of summer, thanks to wonderful friends with a house on the island. Relaxed on Saturday, moved through more blessings on Sunday. Like an elephant ear of yummy pastry shared at the bay (it’s a very narrow island). Like collecting seashells and watching sand crabs and surfers. Relaxing, how novel for me… Ah, the earthly distractions and delights, can we even imagine that the relaxation and good things of Heaven will be even better? With endless times? Mind-blowing.
And my FAVORITE weekend memory so UNIQUE in that the little church, the 1895 beach Chapel we visited, was PACKED to near gills with locals plus visitors, which made the already SUPER EXCITED special preacher in rotation over the top EXCITED to see so many gathering in His Name. He made a sure Daymark impression on me, of his love and amazing bounce of a beaming the Lord’s Love, not just teaching or preaching, but of REACHING with enthusiasm to tell us how much God made us unique, fearfully and wonderfully made, and how much God loves us, and gives us talents, and how he said he saw Jesus in all of us, COOL. He bounced. He beamed speaking how God made us in His Image, and some people were gregarious and some were quiet whispers of faith… true… He was probably one of the most genuine preacher persons whom I’ve seen physically MOVED in the moment, with tears in his eyes, oh his joy and expression of just the full house and of how God loves us, giving His Son, and this invoked tears in my eyes too – tears that I even got here (not just the beach but got to understand this IMMENSE love of Jesus – trust me this minute tiny opportunity of the moment truly escalated in enthusiasm, all in just one hour. He beamed in the receiving line too, after, of how I looked like a familiar friend and I looked like a professor with a trustworthy face.
We as a congregation of strangers drawn together by faith, also prayed for sad and grave situations but also praised amazing God-gifted circumstances and especially these beautiful growing children in front of the congregation who played cello and violin for music, for which grandma and mom both beamed by recording. I sat directly behind and photographed their photographs, framing family love. Oh this preacher beamed how God gave them talents, gave us all our uniqueness. Beautiful site. What a BOUNCE of a blessing from church in an already blessed beach beautiful day.
The scriptures Preacher spoke about included Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” And he spoke about us being made by God in His Image which then God called to be VERY GOOD. He bounced through that service, with a tear near at times in how we are loved and unique and how we can have an impact. He spoke of us being sometimes quiet whispers of God, he spoke of us each being not just a representative of Jesus but having Jesus beaming through us.
Ah, back to the lighthouse, that lighthouse beams at night but what about the day? Yes the Daymark. There was also a woman just about my age that I met, just before I climbed, sitting on that same shady bench as I finished my yummy lunch leftovers before climbing, who made a Daymark on me of her determination and witness. She has climbed this lighthouse every year, except when she had broken her leg in 3 spots, and it was closed during the pandemic plus had mold that needed remediating, but now came the opportunity and she wanted to climb it again for herself and be one of those encouragers to say “if I can do it, then you can!”… yeah, we appreciate those reminders, people who say: “Yes, I can !”, and make us whine less, doubt less, and be more.
The door keeper also was a Daymark for me, simply by offering to put my lunch box in his trash can, small gesture but needed. I was just going to hold it at the bottom but he was a nice gatekeeper and guided all in advice as well as greeting. He OPENED up his SMILE. The stairs had landings to rest. The views spectacular. My smiles!
Smiles, my former neighbor was nearby that shore town, at an assisted living facility, so I stopped by driving home. She recognized me by my smile and me by hers.
Smiles, the little children, at the convenience store later, invoked smiles from me. My crocs made unique and drew attention or maybe likely the Spirit within this little boy wanted to look directly at my face, at my spirit, face to face. It’s true that little ones look to engage us, whereas we grown-ups often look to disengage. Well, a little boy looking at me even with no words spoke volumes. I then communicated by commenting upon his purple croc shoes. PURPLE. I know this color this past week from a gathering in memory of my friends’ daughter who was lost at birth, 3 years ago, and how they showed me how their son, born after his sister, gravitate to the color purple (purple balls, purple paper) which they say was the color they chose for remembering their daughter. Cool. The little son wouldn’t know that but what a healing it is for them, both to have this child and to have this memory color remembered, Purple. This color is a Daymark for them.
In the convenience store, I pointed out those crocs and the little kids pointed out my crocs, of 2 tones, blue and yellow. Maybe this is my Daymark to some (actually some call me ‘Crocs Debbie’), or maybe simply the Light of my potential smile possibly peaked the curiosity of their spirit. The colors of objects are worldly Daymarks. Our faces speak with the image of God from not in this world and people look for the familiarity. We should try to remember to model Him, in patience, interest, and Joy.
I’ve been blessed to re-decompress in writing about one day trip, can you imagine all days in eternity where we get to reconnect and we get time by ourselves with the Lord? What is a Daymark for a forever? The Light and House of Heaven – God DOES keep the Light on for us… it was nice feeling His presence all day on this Sunday.
We need to look for the Lord on a Sunday (and any day) by following His Light by Night and by Day. Follow the Lord, rest in His Joy.
Blessed Blessed Blessed – For an opportunity to visit friends and decompress at the beach. One weekend, one night two days – blessed blessed blessed.
SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER – Amazing summer weather – cooled by the ocean breezes – I even needed a light jacket on the sand in the afternoon – water warm enough to swim but strong waves were crashing – it was cool to see sand tumbled by the waves.
SAND SAND SAND – Sand crabs and mini sand creatures dug in, deeper into the sand each time they were washed up. over and over and over again.
Words Words Words – The afternoon found me memorized by a crossword puzzle, a habit of old, this was easy enough and BIG… clues clues clues – almost finished it…
Light Light Light – amazing sunrise…
Word Word Word – amazing church service Sunday morning in a tiny chapel packed well. A grandma and daughter filming their cello and violin players. Sweet Sweet Sweet.
Joy Joy Joy. I have a whole devotion for that joy of the preacher – his joy to see us – our collective joy of the Lord. WOW WOW WOW
Sun son Son.
Food Food Food. Elephant ear wow.
Views Views Views.
The Lighthouse was a fantastic climb and view… 217 steps, 172 feet. Could have spent an hour up there… I can’t believe I have never been. Island is 18 miles long, I went to both tips! With my friends’ house halfway in between, and I even stopped by fishery for pics, next time will explore more.
More More More
Home Home Home, but not before see my former neighbor now in an assisted living center, she has a few falling mishaps but as determined as ever to keep going and keep improving. Go Go Go. 89 yrs and kicking. Was great to see her.
God’s Atmosphere… Sunrise at a beach… God woke me up in time…
I was camping on the sand, I ran to the water so wouldn’t miss the sunrise, I knew it was close, but I had just about 10 minutes before the Sun actually rose… and so I sat on the sand… God had made enough time for me to reflect… reflecting on how good God has been to me, to all of us. The praise song lyrics “everything you hold in your hand, still You make time for me, I can’t understand” sings through my head…
God makes time for me… God stills time for me…. God is not just taking the time to listen to me and to act for me, but truly He makes time because he really causes time…. The earth is turning, we understand time chronologically but we can NOT fathom how long it FEELS from when God created the earth until we are in the present day. God could speed up or slow down time if He chooses… He is the maker of all things; we are on HIS time clock….
The clouds are still…. the steady wind is whipping here at the beach, the waves are fierce but these clouds don’t move, they are cemented in the sky… it’s unreal and you can even see in the distance, to the north, pockets of rain showers, but the clouds DON’T move. You can see the reflection of the sunrise in the cemented clouds… Be still and know that I am God… these clouds are still… the waves are not… the wind is not… but the clouds are still… they are reflecting God.
The clouds are part of the atmosphere; they reflect this rising Sun in red, yellow, orange, pink against a blue sky. The clouds are being held still by God to reflect His beauty. The atmosphere on earth causes a reflection. For us to be God-like we are to be atmosphere-like. We are to reflect His beauty, we are to shine brightly as the Sun…. maybe we have some interesting clouds that are still in our lives, but these clouds will reflect the Sun in brilliant color, they will reflect the beauty, they will reflect truth and they will be still.
Be still… just before the Sun arose I was joined on the beach by another and another and another, appreciating God. We camp together, we laugh together, we love life together… we together make the atmosphere… I realize that it was not “be quiet and know that I am God” time but it was “be together and reflect God” time… reflect the beauty of God in our friendship… the beauty of God in our appreciation of life… and the beauty of God in creating ALL that is held in His hands… for us it was exactly at the right time… these friends of mine together this morning… on the beach, as the Sun crested, someone turned around and then called out to all of us so that we could all see the most beautiful rainbow… a rainbow of God… A rainbow promise created NOT by rain but caused by God’s reflection of the Sun in the STILL clouds… behind us! I would have missed it completely just sitting by myself but God sent these friends to reflect His beauty to each other, to make an atmosphere of beauty, to create an atmosphere of appreciation and awe of God…
All of God… Awe of God.
It takes the atmosphere to reflect God in all those colors – to show HIS brilliance – to show His love… God makes time for me… Thanks God
There’s Bible lessons upon lessons in the deep pages. We can look at life from a different perspective because of God inside us.
John’s first letter speaks to people of faith, he reminds them that they have overcome the wicked one. That’s us too, we may get hassled now and then, we may get blinded at times, especially by the world’s expectations and worldliness, but All in All we are not snatch-able out of Jesus’s Hands. We have overcome because He has Overcome.
With the Word inside of us, we have His Wisdom and Instruction. We can take time away to pray. We have the opportunity to look at the world, sometimes in sadness and compassion, then look at ourselves and say: I know the Better Way.
The Best Way is God’s Way.
Amen
I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one. 1John 2:12-14
Paperwork-wise over 2 years ago it was a red tape miracle, so we had planned to celebrate with some outdoor dining, we just never got to it – but then we did – wonderful dinner – we just waited for MUCH warmer weather – yeah – especially warmer than that near Christmas day when I was decorating that car for fun. Well, it was a process to finalize the car pickup and yet nearly forgotten now, so long ago now, like everything in our past…
I bet when we get to heaven, we ALSO will look back to Earth and also say: “Wow, that was a long time ago now.” I bet… I mean when we are halfway thru forever, won’t there always be longer time ahead of us?
Well, Merry Christmas in August – here is a repost of that car decoration post…
ALREADY HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
My neighbor said, you FINALLY decorated one of your cars! She was serious, for people don’t think I’m strange for decorating cars, they wonder what took me so long! This car got the weather-tolerant treatment of wrapping paper and ribbon, plastic ornaments, candy cane and even a bough of floral festive beauty… However this car is not mine, I am storing it, it is to be moved whenever red tape (bright Christmas red) resolves and allows…
Meanwhile, that car has become VERY purposeful as a spare decoy situated in my extra parking spot all year. I was thankful for “the visual” that it looked like someone was home, the house not empty. Instead of “nobody’s home”, somebody was and IS home. In all this, I knew the TRUTH that this car’s driver, like many of our loved ones, had passed away and GONE HOME. Whether a short or long time that our loved ones have gone home, we miss them. We can remember, especially at Christmas that even though they are NOT earthly home, they are ALREADY HOME, Eternally Home. HEAVEN holds them dear.
This car belonged to a cherished son of a friend of a friend who tragically passed. My friend (and I) hope for her friends that these photos of the car perhaps bring a smile, knowledge that one of the last objects their loved one touched is cared for. This is a good time, Christmas time, to remember that the last human tangible and touchable thing our loved ones actually DID touch is none other than the Hand of Jesus.
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
We remember at Christmas that our Savior Jesus came to earth, came to us DIRECTLY for the business of SAVING US. As the Son of man, fully God and fully human, Jesus IS God with us, Immanuel. He IS the Shepherd who looks for each of us wandering sheep. Surely, He looks for each and every lost soul until they are found. He OPENS the eyes of our hearts so that each knows the Spiritual Sound of his Master’s voice.
Jesus is fully God and takes full control and command over our destiny. Jesus became fully human. May we all allow JESUS to TAKE THE WHEEL. He cut all the red tape of sin and death with the red blood of His sacrifice. We ARE now white as snow, forgiven in Him.
For all our loved ones whom we miss tearfully this Christmas, let us add a prayer for all to know this deeper meaning of Christmas. We are to blessedly know and enthusiastically share that THRU JESUS, God’s PURPOSE has been and is ongoingly FULFILLED. We are held by Heaven’s Hope.
With HIS guiding STAR that still SHINES in our hearts, we remember all who are already WITH Jesus.
WITH and IN CHRIST. They are Already Home for CHRISTmas.
Amen
God Bless you all this Christmas.
[Please pray for this particular family for closure in dealing with the tangible leftovers, for their paperwork and their PEACE. Please pray them PEACE in knowing Jesus has their son in HIS loving arms. Thank you.]
—-
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:12-14
…
Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30
It is Christmas Eve IN AUGUST…. peace to those on whom his favor rests.
Well watching old TV on Netflix – I saw something unexpected and kind of cool… I’ve been watching mindless TV ‘just because’ these late summer days, after a long day at work, at night time I’m down to mindlessness – well only for half an hour because I then fall asleep on the couch… So, what woke me a little – was within this silly show I was watching came baby Jesus as a cake pop… YEAH! Since when do you hear about Jesus on a show??? Cool – granted this is Netflix and they are different than the classic stations – but wow!!!!
The “Nailed It” show is silly – where they use totally inexperienced bakers with fun personalities to just have disastrous cakes and laugh about it – really it is quite funny but I watch it in 1.25 playback to get it done and over quicker. I was looking for the real British bake off show but stumbled upon this and the host Nicole Byer is interesting – either funny or annoying depending on how you look at it – it is classic spoof of other reality shows but she breaks up laughing knowing she is spoofing… This is a temporary end of summer evening binge of fluff – really buttercream and rice krispy treat fluff.
BUT JESUS MENTIONED??????!!!!!!!!!!!! SWEET BABY JESUS!!! (an exclamation, not swear here)….
“NAILED IT” is the catch line – like they really got it exactly decorated which never happens – but interesting to me watching Jesus as a cake pop is that they really could do a nailed Jesus segment – granted I am sure they won’t – but Jesus NAILED IT – being His own fulfillment of scripture nailed to the cross. Sorry, I digress….
The baker contestants were challenged to make miniature figurines of the nativity set – the family of Jesus Mary and Joseph, or the Three Kings, or the animals. Cool – cute… There was a similar Hanukkah show with menorahs and dreidels, in this series and there was later a Santa going down the chimney challenge too – but yeah this was cool that Jesus (even on a cake pop) was talked about… On this episode, amazing too, a pastor (who was also a barber) was one of the bakers and they all attempted modeling chocolate and fondant sculpting. In total, true to the show it was a HOLY MESS in all the results. “NAILED IT!”
Yes there are some shows and some networks that will now mention faith stories – I mean we used to watch the old movies of St Bernadette and the Lady at Fatima – Sunday afternoon TV fare at Easter time. Moses of course… What I had heard was that regular TV shows don’t mention Jesus by rule of thumb – mention Him in either way as reverently or allow a swearing moment. BLEEP. I also know that there is an unofficial official lack of mention in the workplace – and yet holidays are revered as time off. I once did have a conversation with an advocate for open discussion of separate issues and mentioned that no one advocates open discussion of religion, interesting, and what I believe and heard was that the name of Jesus is SO POWERFUL that people are nervous to mention… Our world is such a HOLY MESS that even mentioning the savior of us – and forbid we mention end times – these are things that make folks nervous. Hmmmmm, NAILED IT! Jesus is THAT POWERFUL!!! Every knee will bow!!!!
I am not about to speculate how every person feels – and Lord forgive me even for this flippant devotion – but for now – these cake pops piqued my interest – and how often we see nativity scenes in regular stores and how often people talk about angels… Really – we all need to talk about Jesus in a more day to day sense – how He helps us and how He is real and right here… Start putting Him into our vocabulary – I know I do!!!! We need to not just put our Jesus and our nativity scenes stuck on a cakepop stick but into our walking sticks of walking with the Lord in the world.
The Nativity scenes DO start us into real talk – because not just the cuteness and the cool way the Lord came into the world – but because Jesus entered most powerful in the most vulnerable way. JESUS TRUSTED THE PLAN. We should too. If Jesus trusts the whole everything into God’s Hands and Plan – being God Himself – we too should trust that our words and world and works and whatever’s can be placed into His Hands. It is not us molding a cake pop of Jesus – it is the Lord molding us – from stardust to sprinkling dusts of joy into our lives – decorated to be us…
Jesus Joy – enjoy HIM in real life – not just stuck on a display stick.
Amen and Merry Christmas in August (remember that Christmas is only 4 months away so GET TO THE BEACH BEFORE THE GOOD WEATHER IS GONE!!!!!) AMEN AMEN…
—
Luke 2:8-20
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
For weeks now, I’ve awoken with a piece of a devotion in my head but it slips away, I know it’s about traction and getting a grip and not slipping, inspired by new ramps at the sidewalk curbs being installed on all the intersections in my neighborhood. These are for wheelchairs and surely are an improvement from the non-tread version – and they are also for baby strollers and people walking, We all must watch that we don’t slip and we all should appreciate any type of grip to scale up an incline let alone inch down it. It’s not just the ramp to help you remain mobile, it’s something to grip on to keep you steadily descending or ascending.
That maybe one of the many things that the Lord is trying to reinforce in me – and to say: God is the Grip that saves my day.
David, as a warrior knew both time as a boy shepherd (and Goliath killer) and as a long-serving king (and easily swayed sin-maker), and yet All in All, God had his GRIP on David, he knew the Lord kept him from slipping into a worse situation, the Lord went ahead of him to win a battle, the Lord kept forgiving, the Lord kept protecting. David had enemies many times but escaped, he sang in Psalm 94:17-19: Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Unfailing Love.
It is the grip of the Lord, WHO IS LOVE, Who is Unfailing.
I can’t remember any more of the devotion but I do know this – God wants us to succeed – and He wants us to know HE is the ONE saving us – and He wants us to know that we will have trouble but fear not, He has overcome the world.
So let us enter this day in simply trusting the Lord, keeping a grip on things – knowing He keeps a grip on us. This might be keeping a grip on our emotions, on our desire to wag our tongues in gossip, to shake our heads in disbelief.
Let us grab for the traction that He has already made for us.
I really enjoyed attending my cousin’s big birthday party last week – a surprise – both the people and how they pulled it off! Fun fun and great to share with many cousins, including meeting our littlest cousins for the first time.
Birthdays are a great excuse to get together – always nice to celebrate someone and I said to my cousin (haven’t seen her in 10 years), “thanks for having a birthday!”… She laughed – it was great to see the surprise on her face!!!
Another birthday blessing: My friend sent me a birthday card last week for my birthday – surprise – especially since it is not my birthday until the Fall – haha – we laughed – and we figured out that probably it was our mutual friend that she was thinking of – whose birthday is actually today. This dear friend was unique and surely she is up in Heaven now, and surely shuffling playing cards waiting for us to arrive – to play a few hands – I mean in eternity we must have great time opportunities to see everyone and rotate around and not miss out. Right?
Spiritual birthdays are also SO SPECIAL, my spiritual birthday took 45 years of God’s corralling and special labor!!! Spiritual birthdays get us to those Heavenly gates – it is not the work we do but the birthday Gift from Jesus to buy our train ticket – and restore us to life forever with Him.
I saw a web posting of an article that speaks about a missionary (and founder of the college campus ministries program) who wrote down some spiritual birthday advice. He may have called them laws, but I’ll call the 4 slices of Spiritual Birthday Cake: a) Jesus loves you; b) We are sinners and can’t change that; c) Jesus is the only way to God; d) Each of us must believe it ourselves, each of us must say it.
“We receive Christ intentionally and by faith.”… “to personally accept this gift of salvation…”
Now, you may not remember a specific day as a spiritual birthday, but if you do know that you Love Jesus and receive Him intentionally by faith, to be your Lord and Savior, for your forgiveness of sins, and to be your hope everlasting thru HIS power and not ours, then HAPPY SPIRITUAL BIRTHDAY on EVERYDAY! Enjoy your slice of Jesus’s life for you, abundantly. It’s another opportunity to praise God for our births and birthdays.
And Happy Heavenly Birthday to my friend in Heaven too. Oh what a view!
Amen
FYI – Bill Bright was the founder of CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ). He started this missions organization out of a great desire to reach college students. Here are Bill Bright’s four “spiritual laws”.
1. God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.
The first spiritual law starts off by explaining that God loves you. Many people have never heard this before. They may have heard that God is always mad at them or does not care about their small lives. However, John 3:16 shares that because God loves the world He sent Jesus so that we could have eternal life with Him. This is why the gospel is called the good news. When we think about how excited we become over a new tv show, a skincare product, or our new favorite ice cream flavor, we are bold and confident in sharing this with others. It is convicting to think about how often we steer clear of gospel conversations with those around us. We have the greatest news ever to share, that God loves them and died for their sins so they can have hope in life and into eternity have a relationship with Him. Not only this, but John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came so that we would have life abundantly. This relationship starts now and the Lord desires for us to have fullness in Christ. This does not mean life is always easy and we always get what we want, but it means that we have eternal security and faithful love of Jesus.
2. We are sinful and separated from God. Therefore, we cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives. In order for anyone to see their need for a Savior, they have to come to the reality that they are sinful. Romans 3:23 tells us that we all sin and fall short of God’s glory. This spiritual law explains that we had right relationship with our Creator God, but we chose to sin. We rebelled against Him and broke that unity. Sin is defined as active rebellion against God or passive indifference. We see this modeled in the life of Eve’s active rebellion and Adam’s passive indifference in Genesis 3. Because of our sins, we are separated from God. Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death. God is holy and sin separates us from our holy God. There is nothing that we can do to erase sin. We can strive to reach Him through good deeds, religion or philosophy, but it does not address the sin that separates us.
3. Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for our sin. Through Him alone we can know God personally and experience God’s love and plan. Romans 5:8 shares that Christ demonstrated His love by dying on the cross for us. Jesus became the payment for the price of all of our sins. Then, 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 says that He rose from the dead. If Jesus just died, He would not have defeated sin and death, His resurrection was the evidence of His victory that we now share in with Him. Scripture makes it clear in John 14:6 that Jesus is the only way to God. In a world that wants to describe many ways to heaven, the Bible tells the truth that Jesus is the only way to have our sins covered and reunite with God the Father. We could not get to Him, so He came down to us. He brings us back to God.
4. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives. The fourth spiritual law comes to a place of decision. It is one thing to hear this, but it is another to personally accept this gift of salvation. John 1:12 says that in receiving Jesus’ death and resurrection on our behalf, we become children of God. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that we receive Christ through faith by His grace. When we receive Christ, we experience rebirth. We are spiritually reborn. John 3:1-8 tells of Jesus teaching this concept to Nicodemus. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, our hearts are made new and the Holy Spirit enters, sealing us as God’s own. Revelation 3:20 says that we receive Jesus by personal invitation. Jesus stands at the door of our hearts knocking, but we have to let Him in. God is a Gentleman, He never forces himself onto anyone. The way to receive Jesus as Savior is by turning to God and trusting Jesus to forgive our sins. Agreeing intellectually is not enough, neither is an emotional experience. We receive Christ intentionally and by faith. Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Yesterday I was pinch-hitting by leading an unplugged version of church (in the park under the trees) while the worship leader was on vacation. It is always a blessed time with these folks, I planned a hymn sing and short message. Holy Spirit – yes – we felt Jesus was there with us, especially since we were talking about Him in a time of sharing. We were nearly at wrap up time and the start of a special kids crafting event… So great to have these summer days with worship in the park.
God started the perfect wrap up, moving me to heart-laughing smiles – by sending a visitor – Patches – a cute dog situation – cool, this has happened to me before (see “Charlie – Live in the Moment” posted below) – and with Patches was a neighbor to one of our members, just out walking. God pulled that dog surely to us. I believe in Angel Armies – I believe that our pets are led by angels (rather than being angels themselves because watch out for that cute bite) – I believe they comfort us and want to be with us – and of course Patches saw kids and wanted to say “HI” – such an angel thing to do…
Well, with Patches interrupting Psalm 16 in a good way, what a great way to wrap up the worship service and we sang “Let There be Peace on Earth – and let it begin with me” to close… Patches brought smiles – Patches brought patching inbetween the people – and the Holy Spirit was alive and well in that time. If you have to be interrupted when you are saying something – it might as well be the Holy Spirit – just ask Peter (Acts 10:44 “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word…. the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.”)
Anyway, here is the story of Charlie the dog, I’m so glad Patches was led by the angel army to bring the neighbor to stop by and chat and we enjoyed doggie kisses. How cool is the Lord, so cool and awesome!!
CHARLIE – LIVE IN THE MOMENT
Charlie was a dog that caught me off guard – I mention Charlie because I want to use the example of this sweet dog to reiterate that God wants us to “live in the moment” – He really does… I was picking up my daughter from camp – with the last trip to the store – and she says “SO, what did you do this week???” – hmmm my pause… as I wasn’t going to tell her about a particular tragedy this week [it was a sad week for a co-worker’s family] – if I didn’t have to – as I never want my kids to ever carry my burdens – but she did ask so I disclosed what made this a tough week… I only shared the news in a few sentences – not much more – very succinct – and she said it was so sad…
Then INSTANTLY – before I could speak the words that were about to roll off my tongue – there was this unreal, scariest, freaky, cold and gross feeling on my ankles – I SCREAMED!!! I thought I was bleeding?? UGH!! I am usually calm but this stilled me into a quick scream… Charlie, the dog, was waiting outside the store – I was so wrapped in my own mind with my daughter and never even saw the people sitting there and Charlie – a dark brown lab – started vigorously licking my legs – ugh – cold – wet – weird!! – I am so surprised that I didn’t fall… As soon as I realized what this feeling was, I then LAUGHED – petted Charlie – and realized that God was taking me away from my thoughts… God was stopping a discussion – FORCING me to stop my speech and go back to let my daughter have her JOY in the moment – and He was telling me by use of His angels to go back to having this focused time with my daughter… God said you must process internally but you don’t need to disturb the beauty of the moment for others – “live in the present – live in the moment.”
Charlie was interrupting me for God’s timing – Charlie then parked himself across my legs until I stopped, in the moment, petted him in the moment and SMILED in the moment, and acknowledge that God orchestrated that very moment.
Yup a wakeup call from God via Charlie… I was then released from Charlie’s tangled leash – yet I still see his eyes looking at me. I am not a dog person and God knows that – but that type of sweet dog will always induce love and smiles with his loyalty and gentle playfulness… Thanks Charlie…. We did our camp store shopping and I thanked Charlie on the way out for keeping me living in the moment – living in the present with my bubbly child…
Live for this moment – don’t over process. Keep moving – be still even in the crashing of mountains and waves and yet keep moving – BE…
Be God awakened (and dog licked).
Amen
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John 4:14-15: Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
Psalm 46:1-3: God is our refuge and strength. An ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging….
It’s not the disaster but the fear of disaster, what it might do, that gets us down. Peter was walking on water, bold and believing, he saw Jesus first. He was distracted, not attacked by the waves, not lashed to falling by the wind, Peter simply saw the wind over seeing Jesus and then he started to sink – he wasn’t sunk, it didn’t say he had trouble swimming – the scripture simply said Peter saw the wind and down he slipped – no more walking on the water towards Jesus. (But Jesus was already there – immediately).
That’s us, we sink into fear and unknown when we should just keep our eyes upon Jesus, really. It is not unusual – it is not uncommon – I mean how many of us really walk on water too – but when we find ourselves out of our element – seemingly out of reach – reach up our hand and know His immediate grab. Better yet – hold onto Him thru life always. Know Jesus by His love – rescue first – recovery – restoration – repeat as needed. Restoration and as David says: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Please read these scriptures of Peter sinking and Peter thinking, and also the psalm for us to be praising like David. The scripture set is really about us remembering Jesus IS Lord and Savior – He has POWER over the devil and schemes of the devil. And the faithfulness of Jesus reminds me of an immediate sinking I had, actually a couple times for separate fears, and the subsequent rescue of the Lord. It was my mind that ran away from me, my eyes on my fear, that was the devil causing me calamity in consciousness and concern, misplaced focus of lies and what ifs. I really sunk and Jesus really was there. He still is. He always will be. Up and away from fear. Let us let Jesus perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle each of us!!!
Amen
(PS – Attached is a photo of a drawing I made, I placed it in public display at a local fair – quietly standing witness – that maybe someone would understand – that reminder that faith forever focuses. The Lord pulled me out of my fearful sinking, I remember it like it is today, Jesus is truly Lord. Amen Amen)
((PPS – I saw a duplicate printout sitting on the kitchen table – a copy that I will bring to church today where I am sharing a short message about Jesus rescuing – and this printout photo kept myself calm when wondering about a current situation. For me, remembering Jesus pulling me out of the water helps me not get back into the sinking situations of fear… Lord help us every day to trust YOU!))
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Matthew 14:20-33 NIV
[After miracle of loaves and fishes] They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Jesus Walks on the Water
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
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Psalm 16 – A miktam of David.
Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips.
Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
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1st Peter 5:5-11
Submit to God, Resist the Devil
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
I had decided to wait about writing the Isaiah chapter, waiting until the end of summer I thought… back to schooling myself when I settle down from summer-mode. Meanwhile God has been populating certain Isaiah scriptures all throughout my last couple weeks, which have been whirlwind like.
So this week I opened and I appreciated this ‘Jesus Calling’ devotion and the scriptures, including Isaiah… Nothing can separate us from Jesus’s Love.
I know that these late summer days are dreamy gifts – they are time to get summer things done as well as soak in the summer fun… like maybe a trip to the beach (?) I did farm, fairgrounds, etc… maybe I should just get out there and soak up the sand under an umbrella – hey isn’t’ that what God is doing for us? He has us under His umbrella of love… Nothing can separate us from Jesus’s Love – Isaiah says…
We might be in rainstorms of life – but He has an umbrella. We might not have time to think – but He will have time to chat with us about it – just call upon His name.
Isaiah says: Listen to God.
AMEN
Jesus Calling: August 17, Sarah Young.
Find Me in the midst of the maelstrom. Sometimes events whirl around you so quickly that they become a blur. Whisper My Name in recognition that I am still with you. Without skipping a beat in the activities that occupy you, you find strength and Peace through praying My Name. Later, when the happenings have run their course, you can talk with Me more fully.
Accept each day just as it comes to you. Do not waste your time and energy wishing for a different set of circumstances. Instead, trust Me enough to yield to My design and purposes. Remember that nothing can separate you from My loving Presence; you are Mine.
Isaiah 43:1-25
But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of their gods foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.” “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
God’s Mercy and Israel’s Unfaithfulness This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride. I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.”
This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.
22 “Yet you have not called on me, Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, Israel. You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense. You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
A memory devotion for my favorite Subaru service-desk check-in greeter and advice giver, who passed away too young. I appreciated his advice and his true faith, always welcoming us with a smile. We will catch up in Heaven, someday, they are finding him a seat at the Service desk I’m sure, to answer our first questions when we get there… Here’s some Heavenly questions I might ask him:
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Are there Subarus in Heaven?
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Saintly Subarus? I bet there are.
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The Lord, you know, has the best Legacy by far.
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Hey, do you see a Forester? a Subaru star on my Forever Courtesy Car?
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How are you, now? How is Heaven for you so far?
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Your big fix up job, wow, I see you are totally HEALED, by far.
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Ah, Heaven has no broken heads nor headgaskets, no pain, no earthly scars.
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Hope abounds for the Lord has arranged Service checkups, He pre-paid our repairs, both us and our cars.
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Spines are fine, healing is complete, heartaches disappear. Tears ARE collected in God’s Jar.
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So, my friend, we WILL miss you down here, you made life better for all of us, by far.
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God Bless you, you always were and are our biggest Subaru STAR.
Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near… For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace… from Isaiah 55
It was a great 5 minute rainstorm, just enough and just thankful for not having thunder and lightning, for the cat’s sake not mine because sometimes we DO love the sound of a good storm, sort of reminds me that we are alive and that this IS summer.
Of course I was also PLEASED to hear rain, 230am and again at 5am, BECAUSE I was waiting for it in order to check my latest laundry room ceiling leak fix. I’m really waiting for sideways rain, but these were intense straight-down downpours. My latest repair wasn’t thousands of dollars, no goo, no plywood, no plastic bubble. This fix? I closed the storm window. Oh. Oh. Oh… I slid the existing outer window to block the inner window track from getting wet. Oh. Silly me…
Did I know this? I think so, a couple times, I forgot or just didn’t fully believe the issue was significant enough here as the track is supposed to drain somewhere, maybe it did 60 years ago when built, but not now… drip drip drip it gets inside.
This devotion is about spiritual battles, how we need to pick up the SHIELD OF FAITH, close the storm window, don’t let the devil gnaw at us, keep it out. Our armor of God may be sturdy and intact but would be incomplete without actually holding up the SHIELD OF FAITH. Sometimes we forget, our arms might get tired too and we let our guard down. This is where a community of prayer can make a big difference for those weary. So, we need to remember to CLOSE THE STORM WINDOW and prevent barbs from hitting us, from damaging our path, and getting in our way. Move your feet too, bring an umbrella to cover the rain on someone, move to a place where we can share God’s peace. We do have a God greater than any enemy, greater even than death. We do.
Pick up the SHIELD OF FAITH. Show how we BELIEVE IN JESUS, and in His Rescue and Righteousness for all’s sake. Teach Preach Reach.
Sometimes we ignore or forgot that we are in Spiritual Warfare, or we think it is SO OVERWHELMING that we slump in defeat before the battle really is even staged – and yet, we DO HAVE Armor for our hearts and our bodies, we DO have a Shield, we HAVE a Helmet of Salvation too. Our feet are readily equipped to share faith actively, we know the belt of truth keeps us intact, our breastplate of righteousness is God’s Way holding us up, guarding our hearts. When the going gets tough, we can keep going. Walk THROUGH that valley and always up to the high road.
Armor of God includes fighting in heavenly realms too. We are currently the ground force deployed. We have all the saints praying for us, that’s POWERFUL. Imagine that they are rooting for you. Jesus is a slain Lamb but standing upright for our lives. We too can stand up for God over all the schemes of hate, and small things to throw us off balance. Remember, someone in armor really often may need a rescue when knocked down because armor is heavy – and yet, Jesus makes our way LIGHT. We have Jesus, He will carry you and your armor.
JESUS RESCUES. Jesus is the Word and therefore the SWORD of the SPIRIT. Let Jesus have the first, best and final Word.
Shut the Storm Window. AMEN! (oh yeah, my ceiling stayed dry, Thanks Lord!)
From Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truthbuckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
It was 90, summer steamy Saturday, and the local farm was having an open house. And the rain came while I was driving, hoping to make the last hour of the event. I had spent the coolness of the morning with the cat in our outdoor tents, soaking up the sunrise. I got to the farm and the rain cleared the place out, I had prime parking, a farm to myself practically, and now cooled 75 degrees. I grabbed an umbrella but the sun shone. Beautiful. A scene to savor.
Up the hill I climbed, remembering my young days in the fields of my grandparents. I’m a city girl with countryside callings. I was always outside. The sheep came running. The donkey waited by their fence. These animals were conditioned to people, waited upon opportunities for pets, snacks, interaction. How interesting to connect by eye with the animals, do they understand? Do we? I smiled at these particular animals: sheep and donkeys. Whereas the goats were just weird to me standing up on their picnic tables (normal farmers would say.)
The sheep, I thought of our Shepherd Jesus and how we are to be led, like sheep in that trusting way. I thought of the wool and gifts that farm animals give. I thought of the opportunity for people of Jesus’s time to understand sheep because they were around sheep, countryside, or markets. We are not usually on the farm, therefore preserving farms is so vital. I petted the sheep’s noses and moved on.
The donkey, I thought how Jesus rode on a donkey, how Mary rode on a donkey, I hope their’s were TALLER. And I thought as I pet inside the donkeys’ ears that the fur was so so soft. Soft to hear with big ears. Soft that would have given the smallest slice of comfort to Jesus as He rode.
Softness in this ear like knowledge in a world where life is rough. Softness as a sweet savor for a certain touch, a slice of time to connect back with original creation of the creatures who themselves long for restoration. A yearning to know and be known. Jesus would have touched these ears, our ears too, and wanted and want His Flock to know Him.
The slice of weather clearing was an oasis in summer, like these cooler nights too, a moment of bliss before brrrrr. . It would get steamy again that day, rainy again too, but for this moment there was peace. The animals were there just living whether anyone saw them or not.
The eyes of the animals, did they understand? Some this day I felt understood the peace and smile in my soul of the opportunity just to be there, to be content, no commotion, no chores, no cost. I’m sure that Jesus wanted to look into eyes that did understand Who He was, He still does. I’m sure such few numbers of people understood at the time, but as He healed and spoke and taught, He saw the eyes of the ones He created. He savored the softness and softening of the moments, like a tiny touch of sweet life, or at least a soft compassion to tough times. He knew the tragic world was not ready, nor is it now, to recognize Him. But pockets will. And when we recognize the people in this world as His creatures too, and help them and comfort them, we help Jesus.
If we have any of this Softness, let us savor it, hold it, share it. Like warm sheep wool, be ready to get out into cold places and warm them up. Like sturdy donkeys, be ready to take on the load of living saved in a hostile world. Like with our Savior, let us connect in looking at others with forgiving eyes, soft glances, compassionate hearts, but discerning ears. Maybe that’s why donkeys ears are soft, to soften the blow of harshness spoken. If we have these ears of a donkey too, we can try to bend them to the good and block the bad – but at least filter the sounds, no matter how painful, to make it feel and sound like a plea for compassion when it hits our hearts.
Let us keep traveling and look for pockets of peace, and continue on and especially continue to care, in a Jesus Way.
Jesus WILL return, and these puffy clouds remind us to keep looking for Him to come back, a rapture of us in the world will leave harsh times behind. We will gather in His Flock in the sky. But what about the others who don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior? Let us leave them pockets of Softness, like bibles to read and realize, memories of our compassion even in painful times, like witnesses and wows, let us share memories of Jesus’s interaction with us, of His forgiving Way and narrow path.
Savor the Softness of a Savior. Share the certainty of following Him.
Amen
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A teaching lesson from Matthew 25:31-46 NIV
The Sheep and the Goats
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
My neighbor texted that I had a couple birds stuck in my tent – Well, I had the zipper all the way down, so it is a surprise but not unheard of – Yet, I had but not just 1, nor 2, I had 4 birds – yeah FOUR! wow… I am glad I was home to unzip it and half the time I leave it open for easy out in case some bird comes in. This time, I believe it was one of those big swoops of many birds that all come in all at once and pace your yard for bugs – and since I had just cut the lawn- there were lots and lots of new places to look for bugs… BUGS… But this one bird just poked around, didn’t fly out like the other 3 birds, just walked and walked – sometimes tried a little flying but no… just walked and walked – walked under my chair – under my feet – I couldn’t tell if he was following me but he didn’t take much of the broken peanuts and cheerios I brought out for him… just wandered and every once in a while looked at me.
Why do the birds flee and why do they stay? what makes them comfortable and what doesn’t? I started to doubt that this bird cared or could hear me – perhaps felt my movements – but seemed undaunted by the lack of flying… but then again all the other birds had left, where would he have gone? hmmm… I did pray for the bird and asked the person I was texting at that moment to pray too – and then as I looked away then caught the image of 2 birds flying and realized he was gone… Another bird came looking for him (?) – and NOW this bird could fly (?) – Hmmm… Wow… Well that is certainly how it appeared to me!!! WOW…
How we are to follow the birds – not just appreciate that they are taken care of by the Lord – but look for the partner to help us get out of our lostness – and also be one that helps others. And when we are all alone – trust that Jesus is with us – because He is – He is there looking at those birds – and you too… “Birds of a feather” – flock together…
From Psalm 84:1-4
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
It’s the reality check that stuns me on occasion, Jesus made me thirst for His Word, understanding it yes – but also cutting myself some slack if I can’t understand it all yet – right now, it is OK – and it IS OK to be sharing it in my own way, living best I can but knowing that we will always be falling short (hey, don’t take it so hard, even Paul the apostle admitted he wasn’t able to be completely Godly 24/7, especially when it comes to that jealousy commandment, he and we are human, of course), but reality checks of needing God becomes in us a desire, recovery and re-fire of the Light which never goes out.
Walk in the Light and keep looking for that Light for the right Way.
Walk in the Light. I LOVE looking up at church at the beautiful stained glass windows over 100 years old. I am in one church now for community each sunday – two others for community when I can get there – and one more I can’t usually get to but listen to for deep deep scriptural teachings verse by verse – for which I can listen online sunday mornings and then repeat listen during my hour commute… Well, I prepped last night, Saturday night, for the Sunday deep Bible lesson that Pastor would be preaching on, Jesus crucifixions, and then caught the online 8am service live – in a blessedly Holy Spirit feed to my phone. And I thought to myself last night – wow, here I am on a Saturday night looking up the most riveting bible verses!!!! yes, I (you, we) have to pause once in a while and appreciate that GOD CHANGED US – GOD CHANGED ME – and appreciate that we HUNGER for the Word – and those who do not read it are hungering for the Light they may not know where it comes from – and that only Jesus satisfies… It is good to remind ourselves that even with all the tools and apps and lessons, there is no substitute for opening that book our own self… letting our own self be led.
Walk in the Light.
Here is the scripture which caught my eye, Saturday night style, then again Sunday morning stunning repeat view… Walk in the Light – especially if you (me right now) find yourself well past darkness outside in the dark because you want to write about the Light…
Amen and Good night!!!!
Walk in the Light -John 12:42-50 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
“Whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.”
I had a really real dream that reminded me of one situation, of eye-opening realities that I can now say I was rescued from. Won’t share the details because they don’t matter here. The dream made new situations play out with old characters. Whew. I woke up more educated and justified for what I personally had done to get out of that situation, but knowing that God made it obvious. Wow. Yikes but also a simple WHEW! – better to know than not know – in such obviousness now of “I told you so” to myself, that I could now say to myself: ‘LORD, THANK YOU!’. Yes, the dream reminded me that GOD INTERVENED – He made a resolution, deprived me of something to instead get to somewhere and something better, where God made it obvious, a “God went ahead of me before I even knew where I was going”. Yes – surely you can remember a time that God did this for you too.
Honestly that happens endless times. Relieved, God keeps us out of XYZ, because you know He rescues us SO MUCH. My dream reminded me of Him pulling us back to safe. Conviction CLEAR, but next development not repealed but Rescinded.
Rescinded, our potential future failures and ‘due processing’ of our missteps is Rescinded. Not only rescued from pitfalls we didn’t see but from those we DID, rescued and sentences reversed. Not Repealed because it was really us that did the stuff – but rescinded. Whew.
Sin is like that, stuff we know, stuff we don’t. Bad choices, cliff edges, and simple oops. No temptation is uncommon, but God gives you a way out. There are irreversible consequences, yes, there are also new days to go forward again. Every day is a new day.
Rescinded. Our salvation is Jesus rescinding a guilty sin and death sentence that we already had from Adam and Eve then piled on top of it with present sin. No one is immune, no goodie two-shoes don’t still have sin stuck like gum under them. We all have to apply for rescinding but not by paperwork but apply a Plea of GUILTY, I AM HUMAN, and PLEASE FORGIVE ME. We who know better, we must believe in Jesus as the power to save. We must awake to know we are not going to get ourselves out of that jam, by ourselves. Jesus does not judge the depth of jam, He just washes it all clean.
You can’t be taken out of Jesus’s Hand. Once saved, SAVED. Holy Spirit conviction will remind us of Jesus’s request to follow Him. Be less worldly and move His Way.
A friend reminded me the other day of how faithful God has been to me on a particular situation, oh yeah how could I forget?! I didn’t forget, but have been lax to praise that. So both salvation and situational blessings.
Rescind and Live forever: His command is everlasting life.
Let’s start this day in a THANKFUL Way. THANK YOU GOD FOR YOUR WARNING, WAY, WORD-over-world-RESCUE, LIGHT AND LOVE.
Amen
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Walk in the Light – Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
Jesus in John 12:42-50 NKJV
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Jesus said: Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Then Jesus spoke to them [all] again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.” Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.
It’s the best non-secret recipe of summertime, where I am from, is the state-fair BEST EVER CHICKEN BBQ Sauce – prepared in the original 1950’s way by a Poultry Scientist… It’s not that it is just another marinade but it’s a deliberate reapplication of the “special sauce” every 5-10 minutes when flipping over the coal-fire cooked bird halves on the metal grates. Reapplication to get much flavor to stick and the oil keeps it from burning. Cooking over coals just right. It takes time. It takes sauce application and reapplication, it takes cooking dedication (6-7am start times) and it takes planning. It is worthwhile to plan as a group and prepare hundreds for a big crowd. 300 halves, $12 meals, that are snapped up in an hour is commonplace, and yes it is something special… In the heyday of service clubs (and my old marching band BBQ), I knew of 1500 halves to sell out in 2-3 hours at most. And if it doesn’t, worker people snap up the cooked halves for their freezers. Yum all around.
It’s NOT a secret recipe (egg oil poultry seasoning salt) or a secret process, it is freely shared, but it takes time and preparation, yes, but so worth it. Especially if someone else does the work and all you have to do is pay? and eat? Oh blessed bites, I can taste it now.
Lord forgive me, but the BBQ dedication to remind me of scripture applications – yes I am stretching it, but I find it a reminder of Your Love and Mercy. Mercy Applications – over and over again. On metal grates? Well, we are in Your net and lest we are throwing ourselves into trouble we WON’T fall into that fire while Jesus holds us on the grate of life. We are slow-cooked our whole lives over the fires of this world, yes, but remember we are IN it but not FROM this world. Yet we must experience the fires of life. You cover us to keep us protected, You catch us to keep us from pit death. Oh and your application of forgiveness comes again and again, every 5 minutes if needed when asked for. It’s not just Mercy but Mercy REAPPLIED. The blood of Your Sacrifice is like a soaking rain of a covering of special sauce and it sticks to us, doesn’t just slide off. It’s reapplied and reapplied too. It’s no secret EVEN IF IT IS THE GREATEST MYSTERY.
And the coal???… Oh my Word, I just read Isaiah 6… Isaiah said one of the seraphim flew to me with a LIVE COAL in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; YOUR GUILT is TAKEN AWAY and YOUR SIN ATONED FOR.”
Cool… I mean HOT… I mean AWESOME!!! Isaiah didn’t say the coal hurt or didn’t hurt, I bet that didn’t even matter at that moment. What mattered was that God forgave him, so that he could see God, talk with God, work for God. It is GOD Who forgives and makes Clean. It is God who can use His Fire for His cause. How do I want to approach God? Covered in His Mercy.
May we all realize that the secret is in the coal (for Isaiah), and in the sauce (forgiveness), and these are NOT secret at all… NO secrets here: the Savior savors us!
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. David in Psalm 34
AMEN
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Isaiah 6:1-8
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
It’s tough to focus sometimes. These past 2 weeks was me NOT focusing on this BIG report that I am writing… Well, BIG mentally but it also needs to be short to be succinct, but be packed to be complete. I’m finally getting to it, bit by bit. I prayed for the Lord to ReBALANCE my time. I want it DONE to move forward. But He is giving me small scrapes forward towards done, but I’ll take it. I now see this window of opportunity to write, but oh it is like not the speed I want, but I have hope, I do see the tunnel at least and then will see the end, soon. I will finish one then put it away, with 2 more like it to do…. So, I thank the Lord for needed time, for focus, non-interruptions, especially by myself, and protection for my stretches of time, without ignoring everything else. It’s a BALANCE.
I could work at home some, plus in the office some, but being outside at work this week is a really good compromise for me – warmer than an office for sure – natural light – natural sounds – acorns dropping – summer bugs serenading and ladybugs looking cute – and today especially: A BREEZE. A sweet breeze coming from temperature and air currents that are moving without disruptive flows. It’s a BALANCE.
I didn’t kill the lantern fly, just didn’t feel like me ReBALANCING nature this day. Let live to chew another day. It’s a BALANCE.
A breeze cleared the bad biting bugs, a breeze made the tree rustling louder than the traffic, it cooled the air, moved the old day away. And these breezes today were working hard to move me out of my mental blocks and move out the worldliness of the world, move me on to good stuff in my head instead… To say it mildly: don’t let work distract you from work, don’t let the world distract you from doing your part in the world. Don’t forget to see ladybugs. Be Heaven aware in the world and world aware too. It’s a BALANCE.
It’s also the necessity of focus to forget “what others think” – and get down to business. That’s true for the Lord’s work too, He is our focus to best move thru this world, all while keeping in the world. It’s a BALANCE.
God needs us here, in this time. Isaiah was a prophet for his time. He could have let his job go, could have run, but he accepted and said “Here I am, Lord.” He then spoke of warnings and of hope to the people distracted by the broken kingdom. He presented to them, the Lord’s options: obedience begets hope, freedom begets folly, it’s a BALANCE.
I am grateful that the Lord allows us breezes, and freedom, direction and downtime. I want my thoughts of Him above all other things, and if I don’t, I pray He takes me along on His Breeze.
Attitude triumphs situations. And I set down my head and will set down my pen for the night, I vegetate my mind on mental fluff for a little bit, then get rest, and start again tomorrow. It is a BALANCE, with a breeze, and a blessing to begin again.
Amen and Amen (Thank You Lord for a balance to my day.)
Isaiah 1:18-20 The ReBALANCE by God, spoken to Isaiah:
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Ah, good to be home from visiting home over the weekend – yes – and to be home is like to bee home – to be bee me – to bee wherever I can fly… I am ok being the busy busy busy bee. (My kids were both busy – on campus of at work – so I had the opportunity to hop in the car and go) And so Someday maybe I will sit for a week camping and beee resting – but not now – beeeelieve me – appreciate the busy.)
Beeeeing that it is summer – I got to go to the local fair- yay – and ohhhhh the beeautiful delicious chicken BeeeeBeeeeQue – YUM – and salt potatoes – they sold out 300 halves in just about 1 hour – yes that is how it goes up there! And a nice parade and antique car show in the morning – just great to see it all. My mom was thrilled to see friends – (everyone is getting older of course – oh time flies – I mean time buzzzzzes along). Then the BINGO pavilion opened and I just enjoyed being there. Even if G 52 did not come up in my BINGO card, which would have won me $5, oh well, it was just fun to play and spend the time with my mom. No G52 BINGO but beeeeelieve it or not, geeeeez 52 degrees came up in temperature this early morning – brrrr…. but it warmed right up to 70’s – perfect for summer – and these beeeeautiful busy days. Gardens – and beee-house too – beeeeginnings of tomatoes and all.
I got to my highschool friend’s church before driving back. Stopped at some beeeeautiful blueberry bushes on the way home – rolling hills and nearly off the grid – picturesque – maybe just like what I imagine parts of Heaven will look and feel like – with us not needing sunscreen or hats of course – but picking bountiful fruit and simply enjoying life… BEEEEELIEVE IT!
At my friend’s church I appreciated the sermon about Jacob and wrestling with God – wrestling with our non-understanding of why things are the way – and yet still having to beeeelieve that God is working – (HE IS)… I appreciated the thought that Jacob (renamed Israel) was wrestling with God and men. Separate from the sermon, I like thinking of Jacob in his old age with his 12 sons – including Joseph who was taken from him but then returned and able to super bless his father and family by bringing them to a home away from home. I also like thinking about the end of the story of Jacob where he does a switcheroo on Joseph’s sons with hands on opposite heads… I guess Israel always shows to try to reset and/or beee part of the plan that God made – but of course – it was God’s Plan all along (and above all switcheroos too)… So yes, Israel will always wrestle with God – ask Moses! – and Israel will always wrestle with men – certainly history is full of this struggle – and Jacob and Israel limped along – to be carried of course by the Lord – who will restore ALL – at the certain time. Wouldn’t it be nice some day in Heaven to sit with Jacob in that bountiful field in the sky and learn all about his struggles and yet the Lord intervening. Those will be the days BEEEEING HOME and knowing it IS the place to BE.
Home away from home can be a struggle for us in the sandwich generation – between our kids and parents – but the struggle this particular weekend wasn’t who to be with – because it seemed perfect to get away and to beeee anywhere where you could enjoy summer and family and fun… Yes, just a touch of time here and time there – really that IS like a flower-hopping bee – venturing out – but buzzing to get home…
That is us too – that is also Jacob who was returning home – after many years – we must simply BEE where God needs us to bee. It was good to bee home (north).
Yes… Blessed – more blessed than I can beeeeeelieve. Thank You God for not wrestling with trying to be in 2 places at once and just giving me a place to BE.
Your Bee.
Amen and Thank You Lord for travelling mercies too!
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Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.” And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. Genesis 32:22-31
My CAT knows how it goes. Morning food, evening snacks, brushes, medicine time. My cat simply knows.
My CAR knows how it goes. Oil, Gas, Lights, beeps, even tows. Well, it thinks it knows, it actually doesn’t, but at least it goes.
My HOUSE knows how it goes. Laundry, groceries, cleaning (well not really), but gratefully a house, a roof, we have. A house we gratefully chose. A home where love flows.
My KIDS know where it goes, not sure if they know HOW it goes, but SURELY they keep me on my toes. My children are blessings which God grows.
My LORD knows how it goes. It’s not an accident, it is NOT dice that He throws. Living IS NOT random. Our Lord totally 100% KNOWS.
God chose. He knows. He goes. He flows. He grows. Let us let Him lead – to where God knows.
When we struggle, God can open the problem and God can close. God only knows, in the thick of the throws, how we will take the blows, but they too have purpose, God surely knows.
God goes, so follow. Follow sure-footed, not just on your tippy toes.
Tom Petty sings of someone that is sweet enough, deserves enough, and enjoys life enough to be among the wildflowers, meaning enjoying beauty and life, and love. His song is very sweet, one of my favorites. And yes, I could also revamp the song to include a message so spiritual, to be us and Jesus together, in a place Divine…
James, the brother of Jesus, spoke of the wild flowers, yet James realized (and Jesus taught) that the wildflowers too, however beautiful, would fade away. Fade away… Richness fades, health fades, possessions fade. Wise Solomon spoke of this too in Ecclesiastes: there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
Yes, we are rich in life but richness will fade away, life here will fade too but life of eternity won’t… God loves us so much to pick up into His bouquet of children, SO much more valuable than the wildflowers. So let’s be rich in wisdom and if rich in possessions, let us not be without APPRECIATION in life and be good stewards of them. We can have appreciation of what we have, what we will inherit, what we can pass on. We have to decide to be wise about what we do, spend, save, pass forward. If we teach anything to our children, demonstrating anything, let it be gratitude.
Here is the advice from James, remembering both the wildflowers concept and also remembering to NOT doubt when God DOES give you advice:James said (chpt 1:5-11): 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. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
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And Jesus taught (Luke 12:15-21): “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
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And Solomon said (Ecclesiastes 3:9-15): What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.
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Jesus taught (Luke 12:25-31): Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you – you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
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So, let us always be RICH TOWARDS GOD, heed advice, be appreciative, share. Let us enjoy life now among the wildflowers and love that we are loved, forever…
Open the window, hear summer sounds, there’s a symphony of creatures all around.
So soothing to hear, not needing to see. Just know that God is thinking about them, thinking about you and me.
Hushed, quiet, soft and cool, God’s Love is given as a rule.
Loud, noisy, rough and hot, God’s Love is still given when others do not.
Summer bugs sing. Crickets are heard. Love is rendered through the Word.
Morning birds sing. Evening birds roost. Have you noticed the common thing? They sing because they need to be heard.
Have prophets gone quiet? Is there no more to say? Maybe it’s simply better that way. Maybe in private yearning, people will find the Way. God ALWAYS has something to say.
Perhaps Jesus has said all there is to say. Yet to your ears and to mine, we can hear it in a VERY VERY new Way, if we listen and obey. Oh, won’t you recognize, hear, and feel Jesus’s Love today?
Summer grows old, cool nights will unfold, time slips away, and yet Jesus’s Forever Love remains BOLD each day.
Summer bugs sing. Summer is heard. Morning sounds welcome renewals of the Word HEARD.
Don’t close your ears, don’t be absurd, LISTEN as Love is rendered and tendered in and thru the Word.
Listen to the Word, it is within our open hearts where Love IS heard.
I don’t know about you but I think this Song of Songs scripture section sounds like a broken record to me. I mean, Solomon did have 800 wives and 300 concubines. So he must have said that kind of stuff over and over and over and over again. You think?
So my apologies to the romantics, but I just am happy to skip over writing about it, this go thru, to get to the Prophet Isaiah on the other side. Jesus junkie jumping. The only other thing I noticed was myrrh myrrh myrrh and sweet-smelling spices must have been mentioned dozens of times. Hmmm… You may think the time of Solomon was SUPER romantic from these scriptures, but I’m telling you, I THANK THE LORD I was born in the PRESENT, for I was born for a time like this: an era with running clean, potable cool water that’s CHEAPER THAN DIRT. (Trust me I’ve bought dirt/soil, it’s MORE pricey per cubic feet compared to water plus the clean sewer system too., haha)
.
Anyway, I’m saving Song of Songs for another day.
Maybe someday a man worthy will come my way.
We will work side by side for the Lord in a blessed way.
Till the soil, adventure out, teach the Word in some new Way.
Plus adventures and what not, HOORAY!
Lord, make him SWEET smelling too, OK?
That is, IF it is in Your Plan for me, maybe Lord, someday.
It might be a new chapter, my discernment would say.
Meanwhile, don’t let me pine away.
You Lord are SUFFICIENT for me, each and every day.
Scripture reading: Judges 6 excerpts – When the Israelites cried out to the Lord because of Midian, he sent them a prophet, who said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians. And I delivered you from the hand of all your oppressors; I drove them out before you and gave you their land. I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.”The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you…”
Sermon:
Wake Up Dreamers, God Wins!
I just finished with Vacation Bible School – craft-station – and what a wonderful week of teaching the kids and especially enjoying their energy and high-spirit-ness! Our theme was Putting on the Armor of God – and yeah how perfect the reinforcement for me for this message that God placed in my heart weeks ago. I am going to talk about people – touched by God – including myself – and I wanted to start with this toy – it is a ladder – Jacob’s Ladder – isn’t it cool that one could teach the bible story using a TOY!
So here is the story of Jacob’s dream: Jacob stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” (Genesis 28 excerpts)
Jacob was able to both understand that God had a heaven full of angels – who also came down to earth – and Jacob was able to understand that God was with him – with them. – same that we heard in our scripture reading of God saying to Gideon “I WILL BE WITH YOU!”
That’s NOT a Dream – but real truth
You may have heard of the Gideons – the current day group who put Gideon bibles into the hotel rooms – well isn’t’ that a perfect place for travelers, often alone, to have that chance to pick up the bible and be with God – and know God IS with them… Gideon was a man who saw God face to face – and unlike the thoughts of those times that you could die when you saw God’s face, but Gideon did NOT die… Gideon was then used by God to take down idols used to worship false gods. Gideon was being used by God to help bring the people back from straying away. – they had been gone pretty far off the deep end and God let them go… Gideon taking down the poles and altars to the false gods got to be known in the land… that Gideon worshiped the God of Moses and Jacob, the Israelites’ God.
Well, this Gideon – God found him working one day – and God told him “I got a job for you!” God told Gideon He wanted him to rescue His people Israel (remember Israel is the other name for Jacob and all his offspring – numerous – people were promised to be saved in that ladder dream) but Gideon said “ARE YOU SURE?” = I’m not what you think I am – I’m small – not really all that…
Gideon said “PARDON ME???” to GOD! Geez – I bet we never say that to God – haha – yeah we do – we say: “Are you sure God?” NOT ONLY DID GIDEON QUESTION GOD – HE TESTED HIM !!!!!! Oh, bet we never do that haha… Guess what – God complied – and convinced Gideon – because He had a BIG job for him.
Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” And that is what happened – Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water.. Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew. POINT PROVEN – GOD IS GOD
NOW – TIME FOR BATTLE – hear how really God IS in charge – if only we would remember that.
Early in the morning, Gideon and all his men camped – the camp of Midian was north of them -. The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into ALL THEIR hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave -.’” So 22,000 men left, while 10,000 remained. [WOW 2/3 gone] But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are STILL too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.
The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.
Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. 10 If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.
Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.” His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.”
When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to his camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.” Dividing the three hundred men into three companies of 100, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside. “Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’”
Gideon and the 100 men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled. When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled…
WOW !!!!!! Gideon won a battle because God’s Hand was on Him and the whole situation. And God needed them – as Israelites – and have this story passed down generations – to know God did that. We too can trust God and know He has won our war – but must still venture into battle.
That’s REALLY what God used: a dream of a tumbling loaf of bread, an interpretation of the dream, the noise of empty jars broken, the sound of Trumpets, and the LIGHT of the torches… WOW. (and isn’t that cool the symbolic use of bread, those dreams, yes trumpets, and LIGHT which all relate to JESUS, who is the Word. The bread was ordinary bread just as Jesus came as an ordinary man.) Jesus Bread – daily bread – …
Gideon said: but I am the weakest! How many times do we not realize that God’s going to provide the Power behind His Plea for us to do something. Yes God makes a Way. Sometimes he wants us weak so that we depend upon Him. The battle was won before it was begun – sounds like Genesis to Revelation too – the War IS won but we have still battles to be in…
DREAMERS – but real dreams courtesy of God. God uses dreams – uses experiences – uses sounds and clues and especially uses the spirit in us to move us…
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There were dreamers in the bible – and God spoke to them when they were finally quiet – Solomon learned God’s plan in a dream – Joseph before Jesus was born learned by dreams – telling him the real scoop – as well as later to travel to avoid Jesus being killed –
BUT THERE WERE THOSE WHO COULDN’T EVEN DREAM – let alone remember the truth
Jesus as Messiah they didn’t understand God’s plan… Those people in Jesus’s time – the Jews the Samaritans and Pharisees – they studied and studied the law and made up their own laws too and made up their own kings (Samuel warned them but they did) – they basically lost sight of the basic child of God ability to see a Messiah coming – they thought an earthly king was coming – even the romans had heard that and feared an earthly king powered by God to reset things “right” on earth – they couldn’t wrap their heads around a Godly King who WAS God – and IS God – Jesus. Not in their wildest dreams.
In the gospel of Matthew we learn that The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. [another weather discussion like Gideon] Jesus replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.
[so those signs and those teachings they should have understood]
COULDN’T DREAM THIS AMAZEMENT IN THEIR WILDEST DREAMS – THAT IS ME TOO
Let me tell you a little bit about my journey and how the Holy Spirit was lining up the time and place and the way to bring me to Jesus.
I was 50:50 on Jesus – prophet with a publicist? I think of the pride I had – but also the ignorance – and the lack of time and essentially I was one asking for data like a scientist – how did I really know Jesus was the Son of God – plus I had the indignation of knowing people are self-motivated to twist the bible for their own take – so I was skeptical… Even as a Sunday school teacher – I ran Vacation Bible School – president of United Methodist women – I was not awakened – not 100% believing in Jesus – I didn’t know Him in me.
God started rolling strikes on my disbelief system – most opportunely, He did NOT come to me in dreams but he WOKE me up 2AM – 2:30AM – 5AM – with just enough rest to be fresh and WIDE AWAKE and me saying “WHAT”S UP GOD???” – see I always believed in God – and I believed in the Holy Spirit moving me and us – I just had a blockage of understanding Jesus IN me…
God did NOT send me a dream – He made me start writing – writing and writing – I had to write out my faith – from a diatribe December 10th 2014 – softening writings all thru December and January then I had to even write out the major revelation I had February 1st 2015 – when I finally knew that not only I had changed, but that God HIMSELF did it – and that I was 100% – and there was no turning back…
(Showing the box …) I hid the initial writings in my car in this box – thought I was going mad. Embarrassed no more – I have 3 giant boxes printed – 88 chapters now – nearly 1900 writings.
God found me help – recorded sermons from my now friend pinch-hitting as a sermonist – who simply preached God’s truth – it wasn’t targeted at me at the time – because no one knew my story – but it resonated TO ME…. I reached out to him – because God found the way for us to connect – all Holy Spirit.
Theology Professor and Pastor friends – had writings about the canonization of the new testament – OH – the DATA I needed – so it wasn’t a telephone game of stories – I learned who wrote the chapters and when and why… OH! – I explain it like having Legos in my brain of the data chunks but they weren’t all there – not in place – some in wrong places – and I had to start building….
I was like the DRY SOIL in the parables of the soils – but my faith seeds bouncing off the ground were not all eaten by the birds – I somehow scooped them into my pockets and had them to look at – especially since I taught about Jesus all the time – knew the stories – but did not understand how to sprout them inside – until LIVING WATER activated the whole thing… Jesus came to make me good soil…
The Lord herded me like a cat – more like a pinball in a pinball machine – ding ding ding – bouncing my head.
He walked me right into the arms of Jesus – it was like God said: She’s dead in sin – she’s lost in her doubt – she is lacking knowledge – and Jesus said: “Nah, she’s only sleeping!” just like Jairus’s daughter – he woke me up ever so gently – so surely with the right people around me – so clearly ONLY from Him – the rest of the people around me either didn’t know where my faith was or didn’t ask – I was not a life-crisis that I knew about – not except not knowing Jesus in me… So the Lord rocked my world – and early on with the now nearly 1900 blogs that I have written – expressing faith – one is called STRIKE – God was rolling strikes on my pins of disbelief – I tried putting them back up but God was ready to knock them down on my and show me HE WAS LORD!
WHY is God having me write? I know that I was chosen to be an encourager – I’ve known that for a long time – but now I know where my focus is – God could have me talking and talking – but something about writing it down means that it is there – you profess it and you teach it and you inspire – and you make people say “wow – she must really believe in God – or God really is real – YEAH – and really real also means that at some point someone might come with a blockage like mine and say OH! And perhaps the Lord will also use my writing for post-rapture people – that is why I make sure I print copies – I think it is the only thing that NEEDS to be displayed at my funeral – to say “God made her do that… God blessed her to think of HIM.” I want people to realize God is alive. People don’t have to read them – but I want them to know HE made me write them.
I have been so blessed – one small example I will give you is when my Dad passed away, God was already having me write it out as processing – a month writing of deep but healing processing thru His Word. I know that I was blessed and can share that now with friends who are going thru healing processes. Now I am writing my way thru the Old Testament and it is GREAT – LOVE the stories of Gideon and Jacob and others.
Let me wrap up with going back to the bible to talk about my name in the bible – Deborah – a judge just before Gideon’s time – and God had installed not kings but judges after Moses and before the people begged for kings – kings like Saul, David, Solomon…
Now Judge Deborah is not my namesake – because I was actually, comically, named after Debbie Reynolds, the movie star, because my mom thought it was cute: Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds together at the time… Yeah – but now I HAVE looked up Deborah in the bible – the book of Judges – I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a Deborah – not just in my nickname as a Debbie – which is Hebrew for bee – but because Judge Deborah was the one who told people what God intended and what God was going to do and to keep doing what God needs you to do – keep going out to do the battle – He already won the war.
Excerpts of Judges: Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappid-oth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided. She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.’”
Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”
“Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” [So Deborah went with Barak – and the enemy heard of this and they all started gathering their troops]
Then Deborah said to Barak, “Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” So Barak went down Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men following him. At Barak’s advance, the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword, and Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot.
Barak pursued the chariots and army – , and all Sisera’s [the enemy’s] troops fell by the sword; not a man was left. Sisera, meanwhile, fled on foot [to the tent of a particular woman -Jael – went out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Come, my lord, come right in. Don’t be afraid.” So he entered her tent, and she covered him with a blanket [ – gave him a drink – and then – WOW – picked up a tent peg and a hammer and while he was sleeping she drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died. Just then Barak came by in pursuit of Sisera, and Jael went out to meet him. “Come,” she said, “I will show you the man you’re looking for.”
So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera with the tent peg through his temple – dead. (Isn’t the Old Testament interesting!!!) Yes – and just as Deborah Predicted – God won that battle by the hands of another means other than Barak’s methods – it was unexpected – unique… God’s ways are God’s ways – unique Sounds like Jesus’s plan – unique – and ours too ….
Let us pray – Judge Deborah reminds us that God will win our battles HIS WAY – Deborah reminded Barak – God has already won the war – Gideon too learned that God was going to win but still had to finish the job set before him – we still need to get out there to battle – but remember whom we are fighting for -and fighting against – against the forces of evil– that is what we are to do – put on our armor of God and keep fighting to spread the Word to bring the good news of Jesus out there – to have God show us not just tough battles but the opportunities – many many opportunities – may we realized God you are with us – and remember that You have already won This War. AMEN…
Wrapped up vacation bible school with an ice cream party after their presentation of songs and a slideshow. It was nice to sit, nice to only have to slice bananas and serve whipped cream. I didn’t get to see the other stations during the week because I was busy in mine, the crafts, but that is OK because we must realize we CAN’T be everywhere at once, but I can imagine them. We also CAN’T be in every life stage at once, but we may be able to imagine them. We just simply today have to appreciate being in TODAY.
We essentially never will have enough time. Or will we? I often wonder (in my limited wondering time) what will Heaven be like with endless time? I don’t get it, don’t understand it, can’t wrap my head around it, fittingly so because my head seems finite and yet in it, God has put the key to eternity, Jesus bringing us home.
You know what? Let’s just get through today!
Will we be bored in Heaven? Will things seem routine? Well, without knowing I highly doubt that they will. Once I get there, I’ll let you know with a big “Oh!!!” I guess I’m not supposed to worry about a place that has no worries.
Once I get to the place, I am sure the one thing lacking, for all of eternity, is WORRY. I can imagine human emotions in heaven, but how difficult to imagine Heaven’s emotions on earth. One I am sure of, that will exist, is the emotion of “It will be OK, keep moving.” I think we get plenty of practice of that now. The “Owwwws” becoming “Wows”, in Heaven, we will get to that place where God moved us into realizing He won the battle and the war. I bet we will also have lots of “OHHHH’s – that’s how God wanted to use me.”
Meanwhile, let us put on the full armor of God, like that shield of faith, like those shoes and breastplate, and especially not a crown but a helmet of salvation, because there’s still battles here. And like an army, even in reserve, we fight not each other but the darts from the evil one.
Keep the battle of today in today, and stay in the fight. And keep in the blessed things of today blessedly, and stay in the Light. Then one day in Heaven we will say: Blessed are those who are blessed. Blessed are we, alright!
Remember that the War has already been won.
Amen
Solomon concludes his writings (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14):
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Psalm 119:1-16, 130-133
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart – they do no wrong but follow his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
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The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
I was myself surprised, the manual dexterity of the children at vacation bible school was SO variable, even to tie a ribbon. Good thing we are practicing these things! The willingness to learn was HUGE for all. The ability to attempt something comes with practice practice practice, and the opportunity to try comes with freedom, but the thirst to “do it myself” is inherently strong in kids and we have to keep cultivating that – that must come from God – who are we to squash what comes from God.
Yet, I’ve seen that fade in many adults. I think “not-do-it-yourself” is more and more entering our lives. But I have hope in these children. Let’s keep letting them try, provide the safe space. Yes, we learn safety. Yes we learn orderliness. But we learn caution over creativity, let’s not let that happen, at least at camp.
I have some of the crafts still on my fridge from my kid’s vbs days, especially those adorned with my kids photos. I have a couple of the dozens of items that I myself got to make in my grandfather’s woodshed, airplane with bent nails, then an improved teenager-made wood box sanded, stained, solid. My grandfather let me try. My grandmother let us sew and bake. It was cool to be a kid.
My daughter (22 tomorrow) FaceTimed me from her 3D printer lab where she is one of the volunteer managers. Cool stuff like the Cathedral of Notre Dame and practical for architectural students rather than simply toys (but they make toys too, like miniature milk crates). She called these machines her good children and bad children. They only print with white filament because the in between cleanings of them is a pain, she said, and she is well versed in unclogging, tearing them apart. Cool. Dexterity is practiced, freedom to try is a gift in a safe space. (Although college is a pricey safe space, it’s priceless for her education). Watching my son tear apart a thousand dollar computer is scary but necessary to learn – I just would hold the flashlight and pray. He did it – he has the dexterity and the drive – and the safe space to try more.
This is where I remember King Solomon and his advice, God gives us freedom and really the choice in life is to become ‘Grumpy Gus’-es or NOT. God has us such a short time on earth, let’s make the most of it. God especially wants us to remember Him while we are young, remember that He made us.
I was blessed to be a young at heart coordinator this week, to glue, staple, hammer, pour, tie, try lots of markers, and laugh with these children at VBS. Mostly I marvelled at their Spirit. Crafts is a golden opportunity to tell the kids: “WOW, you did a great job!” Arts is an amazing opportunity to tell the kids: “You are SO creative!”… Really also what you are also doing is complementing God in giving PRAISE for how wonderfully made He has made these children – and He made their ears to hear the encouragement meant for Him. He lets them and lets us take praise for His Creation so that we can hopefully remember to thank Him. Otherwise we fade in our appreciation and remembrance. We think about old ways in our old days. Let us remember our Youth, God IS the One Who WILL restore that too – in Heaven.
Let us keep remembering these days of youth and foundry fondly as a foundation to grow. Try to remember to marvel, because each child is made in the image of our Father, and He’s the best Crafter and Artist Creator EVER. Even and Especially God says of children and of us: “VERY GOOD!”
Remember our Creator! Thank You Lord! Thank You for Your Children!
Amen
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Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 Remember God your Creator
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them” – before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when people rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; when people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then people go to their eternal home and mourners go about the streets.
Remember him – before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Ecclesiastes 11:5-6
TRUE!
My blue Subaru tail lights went out last night – I started seeing a guy in a jeep flash his lights at me from behind – you know I got nervous being 9pm at night – but also wondered if he was just warning me – but I didn’t think I had anything dragging out the back – or had a seltzer can on my roof like I did the day before (oops, I realized after 30 miles that I put it up there – slowed down and opened my sunroof and it slid back and into my car – haha – still an inch of water in it! no, I didn’t drink it). I wondered, last night, why he was warning me but just drove couple more blocks – and then got up my nerve to take my turning lane and he pulled next to me. He said my tail lights were out – OH! WOW! – I wasn’t scared anymore and I thanked this man for his kindness – and his warning and I thank the Lord that I had to get over my fear to hear it. Yeah. He commiserated with me – while waiting for the light to change – my headlights worked but my taillights didn’t. Maybe a fuse… WEIRD… Maybe God was pre-playing with my schedule for today… Maybe we just don’t know how God works. Ah, yeah!
See – I do need to stay home today both to keep focusing on writing a big work report – and how convenient that there are very very few meetings on my calendar – and how convenient that I get back 2 hours not commuting to both spend time with my cat outdoors (it’s beautiful 75 degrees now at 8AM) – AND I have my last night of VBS crafts tonight – whew – I am that VBS kind of tired but God worked in a nap for me yesterday too – I am SO GRATEFUL! God works it ALL in… Just keep riding His Wave.
So the tail lights? I see it as an opportunity to remove my guilt from choosing to do a WFH day, I HAVE to have tail lights fixed. As I took the heavy trunk contents out of my trunk and slammed the hatchback, one of the 2 tail lights came back on – Hmmm… good – and hmmmm… going to take it to a repair place today – locally – and the fear? none – I got that extended extended warranty… because with electronics like this, you never know… Especially when God can short circuit a fuse just to slow you down. That’s wisdom to realize God works in mysterious ways.
And now I will keep working – morning, day and night – it is a GREAT VBS week – I have been enjoying the crafts and the sweetest of kids – and even the Queen of Sheba came to visit her friend King Solomon, she wanted to gain HIS Wisdom!!! She said: “PRAISE BE TO THE LORD!” Thanks Lord… And VBS is doing GREAT! fun fun! (This is a friend’s church – we are pinch hitter people – ready to help. Yesterday making a Shield of Faith and Helmet of Salvation – which I told the kids it rhymes with Vacation – “S” for “JESUS’ SAVE” – so Salvation = Jesus saving us from our sins to go forever on vacation with Him eternally = Salvation). Keep sowing those seeds…
Amen
Solomon said (Ecclesiastes 11:6): “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.”
1 Kings 10:10 The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the Lord, she came to test Solomon with hard questions. Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed. She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.” And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
Just in time for Solomon day at VBS, here is a poem of rhyme:
‘Meaningless’ Was Solomon’s Favorite Line
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Solomon’s wisdom can sometimes be read as his life’s whine.
His days were filled with riches too, but he did not live feeling completely fine.
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Solomon learned the hard way, time after time.
‘Meaningless, it’s all meaningless’ was his favorite line.
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Writing long soliloquies, like Ecclesiastes chapter 7, verse 9 to 29,
Are truly warnings for us, given from a place DIVINE.
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Wise Solomon may have had wisdom, wealth, and excessive time,
But his life saw that it was God who made it all awful or fine.
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‘Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes‘ – that’s a great line.
We must heed these warnings of how to spend our time.
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Solomon continues speaking on and on, well beyond chapter nine.
I don’t need to retype and rehash it all, no one has that time.
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But if anything, remember this rhyme:
God’s Abilities are beyond yours and mine.
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Solomon concluded: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
Solomon reminds us this: Live life best by enjoying the time.
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Life in God’s Grace? Divine!
Solomon, thanks for sharing your reasoning time.
Amen
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Excerpts of Ecclesiastes 7:
*Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
*Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.
*Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.
*Consider what God has done:
Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness. Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise – why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool -why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.
*Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city. Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.
*Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you – for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
*All this I tested by wisdom and I said, “I am determined to be wise” – but this was beyond me. Whatever exists is far off and most profound – who can discover it? So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly. I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare.
*“Look,” says the Teacher, “this is what I have discovered: “Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things – while I was still searching but not finding – I found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all. This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.”
I am prepping for Merry Christmas in July – especially for vacation bible school – where we are learning about King Josiah today – remember the unexpected find of the Book of the Law and his re-affirmation of the Covenant with God and his people – what a great Christmas gift!
I am remembered of one of my first awakened Christmases in July, 7 years ago, and place these writings below – what a great Christmas in the heart start that the Lord gave me:
writing #228 Merry Christmas in July, 25JUL
How could I miss this opportunity to wish you all Merry Christmas in July…. Is it silly? I KNOW silly, I work hard at silly, and NO, I assure you it’s NOT silly. It’s Christmas.
This time seven months ago I was in question, I was in flux… I was reaching to stabilize myself to only a few souls who wouldn’t betray my sinful secret that I wasn’t truly a believer in Jesus as the son of God… I prayed for discernment, and I got it… And I got Jesus big time… Actually He got me…
I still do pray for renewed discernment… New questions… Where do I go from here, God? How do I share your promised salvation? Who do I tell and when? How do I honor YOU without disobeying YOU? How will I stop asking so many questions? How will I “Be Still”?
I still reach to stabilize my new life, I never knew this path would take me where it has, I never knew I could find more joy than I had and I never knew I was to find true sorrow and true temptation too. Yeah light and dark.
So, a few days after Christmas, at our open house party, many brought me a candle as a gift… And my daughter made candles too, I made a couple myself… A couple days after Christmas I found myself with about 10 new candles… Yeah, why so many candles? I pondered… Why so many when I NEVER burn a candle, ever… Why so many people thought I needed the candles? That I needed the light…? Oh yeah, didn’t take me long to put it all together… God orchestrated this… and He said let there be LIGHT! And He found the people to bring it. He found the people who beam it!
Well yeah, I do boast my God sightings way too much, and I want to stop screaming how excited I am…. but I just try to tell the truth… God smiled… God said this sleeping child of mine needs CHRISTMAS, needs CHRIST. God said you the people, “Bring My Light”
Yeah, God gifted me Jesus, I got Christmas… I got Jesus… Thank you God! I got to share…
God’s timing shook me, but now I reflect… God picked the ways, God picked the people, God knows what HE is doing… comfort in His plan… I turn to God to see the light, I turn to Jesus to feel the light, I turn to the world to shine the light. I turn to God to focus His light, gifting my heart and my eyes to shine Him…
Yeah, I still reach to stabilize while I broadcast… Yeah, I am scared because I don’t know what sacrifices I must make now… I felt and have been told that the devil is out to get those who turn away from evil and ignorance… Yeah, God told me to look for Christmas everyday this year, lest I stop listening, lest I stop looking for the light. I was sent to deliver HIS message.
God assures me the LIGHT won’t go out, that I won’t burn out… I know that God knows I don’t take any chances… I reach out just wanting to stabilize myself until I stand unshakeable… I will stand for you God, I will beam Your light. God willing I can make a difference no matter what…
Merry Christmas God. Thank YOU for taking me, sinner that I am, imperfect in so many ways, for giving me your LIGHT, everyday. Thank YOU for YOU, everyway.
I give all of me to You.
Merry Christmas God.
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writing #229
Christmas again, 26 JUL
I knew it was Christmas everyday but it’s extra sweet when God shows me it in different ways… I was sitting in a random pew for Sunday services and opened the pew hymnal to find a Christmas program 1 ½ years old… from 2013… in July… How blessed to feel God’s love in every little detail in my life … I’m sure God saved this paper for me to find… “Come to the cradle”, come and find peace… Yeah, thanks God… That’s exactly what I found. Jesus is my peace everyday… Awesome! Blessed! Christmas! That’s the real ABC’s…
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
I am wise enough to know that vacation bible school is such a blessing and gift and it is not just for the kids. There I was face to face with 10 parents – none of whom I ever met since this is a friend’s church – arriving just a few minutes early to be there when their kids were done at 830pm. I knew God had put me into an opportune timeslot. I recounted about the day – the scriptures – the fun – the craft home project to make a family crest – and I talked about the powers of good and evil and that we need to put on the armor of God – and I even talked about the science project that was performed across the room from me. I was in crafts. No, I didn’t tell them I was a scientist because those folks are AWESOME at coming together and explaining the amazing things in science. FUN. I am thrilled in crafts. Who knew glue dots would be invented as a modern marvel.
Face to face with cute kids and face to face with appreciative parents – where else would you want to be? AWESOME – I liked how the 30 year old eyes lit up when I told them the projects and the scriptures. BOOM – vacation bible school IS for parents too – this VBS sent home excited (and well fed and well-tired out kids) with memories to blurt out in the car and bible messages to take them all home afar – to the Kingdom not of this world.
I am in crafts and we made catapults and cut out castles – and we made crowns. I always thought it was good match to my skill set and interest to do crafts if I ever wasn’t running a VBS. God opened up the window as a door closed.
God is good, I stood face to face with 30 yr olds and grandmothers last night who LOVE the wild and crazy things of VBS, appreciative of the time their kids spent with us. One grandmother said “mom and dad are on a date, they went to a concert.” God bless grandmas and grandpas and anyone who takes the kids for you and you get a break. Now my kids are older, and it’s my turn to be a grandma of the moment and craft lady. I had a GREAT role model in Miss B. My view of the children is that their hands need this crafting challenge, twisting rubber bands and manipulation of glue dots, and my my how we don’t get our kids into these activities like my cousins and I built model airplanes and such. Crafting is a lost art but a great use of time.
Well my facebook memory shows to me it was 5 years ago this month that we were “Shipwrecked”, then had a pandemic patch of dryness. We ARE ALL shipwrecked but not abandoned, this is not our home but Jesus IS here helping. And when life changes, God is good, that’s the ROAR theme I stepped into at a friend’s VBS soon after, learning that yes, we can keep helping where God needs us. Be the experienced crew that migrates church to church to help. I challenge my former co-shipmates to hop into friends churches. We now can be the people DISSOLVING LINES between the denominations because a catholic-raised attendee to Methodist, Presbyterian, non-denominational, Cavalry-movement, kitchen table, park pinch-hitting preacher, and forever writer IS MEANINGLESS to the face of a five year old who simply needs the confidence that he CAN twist a rubber band. Our reputation and resume is nil when you are face to face with a child hungry in the Spirit, because only the Spirit would quench that thirst. Face to face, speaking faith. Someday God in all His Glory will stand with us Face to face, we will cast our crowns down to Him too. Until then, keep keepin’ on.
God Himself crafts an armor for us, the armor of God. One grandmother (in charge of dinner) cheered as I read the scripture to the kids, and we will keep reminding them all week. The last line is key – keep on praying for all the people.
The Armor of God from Ephesians 6:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, …
… and with your FEET fitted with the READINESS that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the SHIELD of FAITH, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the HELMET of SALVATION and the SWORD of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD. And PRAY in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people…
Solomon said: “I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.”
Isn’t that a strange truth…
I was at a great 90th birthday party yesterday, so sweet – the birthday girl LOVED IT! Loved seeing her friends! And then I was savoring THAT CAKE, the icing even, because you know you shouldn’t eat too much icing and sugar, but I was feeling the treat-deserving treatment to myself at that moment. But my piece came as a middle piece, no extravagant icing. Hmmm… No, I didn’t need even it, the icing, let alone the cake, but just figured just this one time… Nope, but better a little cake with a little icing than none. Fringe benefit from wisdom is to be happy with your lot in life. (And don’t worry about me, I had a great lunch and ice cream later…)
Solomon said: “Everyone’s toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied.”
I then saw those picture perfect cupcakes, and more cake, but I wasn’t going to get up from my landlocked chair. The gentleman across the table did, he took one, I savored the icing as he peeled the wrapper and the look (however I would have picked a vanilla one not chocolate). Then he instantly did a surprising thing, put the WHOLE #%! thing in his mouth. Eww. Ummm. Munch munch MUNCH. A surprise totally and my brain went racing much crazier than my taste buds had. Kinda like your macho showing off (well I been there done that – over it!). Ewww, and yet he accomplished it well, cleanly in a smooth landing that would have rated 9’s and 10’s by the judges, but yeah it took him MANY munches, sort of embarrassingly, before he could swallow and speak… SILLY… I’m not sure if he was hungry, doubtful, or showing off, likely, or just playing it to be a surprise, yeah, or what?!!! I saw the squander of savoring. Yeah. Geez…
Solomon said: “What advantage have the wise over fools? What do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before others? Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
But if he wasn’t being foolish to be foolish, that’s wise, right? It’s all meaningless anyway. Maybe one is silly to get a laugh from someone, I do that with crazy hats and whatever, but how does one know what I or others would laugh at? We do like be a big kid in our furthering years, well me too, but I think I took the icing of my wisdom cake as a lesson to savor things over stuffing cupcakes or otherwise or squandering wealth… yeah, but whom am I to speak, I squander, squish, and waste plenty… We all do…
And whose to say what is right? We all go to the same place, as Solomon says: “For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow? Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone?”
Well, thinking about such things is good. And saving some savoring for life to come is good too. Don’t eat up life all at once. You know that saying: “You can have everything in life, you just shouldn’t want it all at once.”
I think the fruits of tasty things in Heaven will be so good, that if we savor everything to come, we can live without things now, yeah. Take smaller bites of life more thankfully. That is at least what I hope to do: slow down and well, THINK. Savor thoughts… Savor God’s Wisdom. Have desire yes, but most importantly, ask God for the ability to simply enjoy life now, with GLADNESS of heart.
It is such a foreign concept to us that in the Garden of Eden, that nakedness was normal for Adam and Eve… but to also be walking WITH God? WOW, MIND-BLOWING… Isn’t that just seeming like a dream state?! Being Adam and Eve were born of God, nothing was needed to clothe them (yet), not even their thoughts (nor ours). It would be good to be THAT open with God, especially since He already sees us. No clothes, No nothing and No nonsense either… And you know what? NO pockets either – NO phones, NO wallets, NO money, NO needs, NO baggage, NO WORRIES.
Thankfully we return to this in Heaven – but it won’t be in nakedness – in Heaven we will be clothed with a cover of fine white Jesus-gifted purity. No stain remover is more powerful than Jesus Himself. Yes, covered. No tears and no need to look back either…
Dust to dust means no way to carry that baggage (or those riches) to Heaven. Even though there are pockets of dust in our lives, our lives return to dust and our dust has NO pockets. Wise Solomon said: ‘Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.‘
Ah… the future… But can we live with and walk with God now too? YES!!!! And His Word helps us each day – brings us time with him – precious time… ‘GLADNESS OF HEART’, that we CAN carry thru life and enjoy as a gift from God. We can find satisfaction in our labor. ‘This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.‘
My laundry room roof, I am considering and experimenting and praying, but not obsess$$ing (I don’t think) about the leak. And I could continue to just live with it ‘as-is’, or fix it. I found a trustworthy person as a contractor, PRICELESS, who is also a new Dad, PRECIOUS baby just weeks old, and a PASTOR too, What’s the odds???, HAHA GOD! PROVISIONS PROVISIONS PROVISIONS!!! PERFECT PONDERING PARTNER for PATCHES and POSSIBILITIES, roof and otherwise.
Some decisions in life have to be made on the spot, some are ponderable for a while, like this roof, and some decisions in life seem tough to make, and some are just best given to and worked out WITH God, but all the while you yourself put in the work to weigh the options. That’s the Bible Study he (pastor patcher papa) just presented and told me about, from Acts, for casting lots… This is his teaching, so I give him credit: that these apostles (after Jesus arose in the Book of Acts, chapter 1, verse TWELVE on) discussion of whom to replace Judas with, and they had two really good choices. They vetted the requirements for a core replacement (like having been there from the beginning, walking with Jesus, etc)… They had good choices, and they got to the point where they put in. All the work and both would have been fine. So at that point, they said, “Okay God, we’re going to let you pick”. And they casted lots which is not random knowing God would pick. (See, that’s probably also why I’ve not won megamillions, that God didn’t will it and that I didn’t buy a ticket, haha!!!. not going to win it if you aren’t in it!) Ah, casting lots was after good choices had been presented, win win. Ah, like picking between 2 flavors of ice cream that are both good choices but you only get one. Ah, like fixing the roof now or fixing the roof later, both technically are fixing the roof, just when…
Let me add my extra pondering to this pastor’s discussion of ‘casting lots’… Why, at that point, was it important for God to choose the twelfth apostle, a replacement HE KNEW He would have to make? Because He planned TWELVE: there’s TWELVE everything, TWELVE apostles, TWELVE sons of Jacob/Israel and yeah, TWELVE gates in the walls of the NEW JERUSALEM (Book of Revelation), in the New City that comes out of God’s Provisions for eternity. Cool. People don’t know what eternity will be like, they say, but if we read and walk with God, we do get this glimpse! It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (Rev20:12-14)
God picked a place to restore the 12th before it has even been built – like laying down the foundation of the world. Yes – like Jesus being with God and being God at the beginning and Jesus knowing He Himself would be the cornerstone to build us into a NEW Kingdom with Him, to be the replacement, to be ransom for us in sin and death, to BE a New Covenant, IN ADVANCE for Adam’s fall, then placing in a Good Foundation to build again. A Shepherd AND a Sheep.
Cool. God spent His most precious resource, His Son, to rebuild HIS GLADNESS OF HEART, being with us in eternity. Cool… let’s re-read Ecclesiastes 5, wise Solomon with all that money but lost gladness, let’s apply this in our lives – let us not hoard or squander wealth but put it to use for God’s good – and for our money – just enough – let us accept it as a laborer and not be burdened with mega millions. Let us keep giving away God’s Gladness.
Live happily – be Glad for God’s Goodness Wins. Let us be COVERED IN GLADNESS always.
Amen
Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 Riches Are Meaningless
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them?
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.
I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit.
Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind? All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.
This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
Acts 1:12-26 NIV
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
(With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, ‘May another take his place of leadership.’ Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
I rationalize things, thoughts, actions – we all do that… it’s good to be a thinker, and even better it is good to be a pondered of God. What I DO understand is God wanting me to listen.
So much in life and how we live it totally falls into the MEANINGLESS category, like Solomon says in Ecclesiastes. It is also what David Byrne sang for the Talking Heads that makes sense here: “Stop Making Sense.”
Ecclesiastes 4 and 5 goes a bit more into about how to live, with friends and brothers. And then the best advice: Fear God. Plus something that I do understand, something Solomon says makes all the sense to me: “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it.” YEAH ! (and thus I spend my quiet time with His Word each morning, and write to fulfill my promise to the Lord to process this way. To proclaim, exclaim. To share Him. He would forgive me if I didn’t write, but I remember how my brain gets when I don’t, so I keep this promise, when I can. Rest in God’s Plan.)
Yesterday, I was laughingly blessed with my work brother, bursting into my office and in his EXPRESSIVE way, venting about stuff, a needed break not breakdown… The great business truth he stated in a drawing, is a triangle of words, you get to pick 2. Either “fast and good”, that’s an expensive project. “Fast and cheap” gives poor quality. “Good and cheap” means a long turn around time (TAT)… True in the world! Business savvy. Great example is my dripping ceiling experiment, especially this rainy morning, 2 years now but spent very little money – I’m going for good and cheap, but that takes a while. (Not bad just half cup dripping with solid rain this early morning). Another example is repairs to a local fallen overpass and major highway, a “temporary” repair: FAST and GOOD was like only 12 days but $25-30 MILLION dollars, wow! (!).
Let’s go back to Ecclesiastes, stop making sense of the world, but put trust in the God who made it and is keeping us in it, for some reason. Although I am loving the sound of this summer rain, we don’t really need it, but who are we to understand that? I know we are not in this world for our pleasure but God’s pleasure. He also wants and yearns for fellowship with us. Two is better than one, a cord of three not easily broken. Two are you and a friend. Three is God with us. (Love that two also can be: you and God yourselves – we are never alone. God can fill us with ‘gladness of heart.’)
Another great friend came over last night, been a best friend years now, wow. It’s the 3rd time this summer we’ve seen each other. Blessed. Just living in an open life, lived, living and to live with a brother and friend, and freedom to be me – to be open with each other – chats of open dreams and fears – of sorrow and pain – of hopes and dreams. Blessed. A friend is a brother, not with less family baggage but someone who helps you carry yours… You carry each other’s… Blessed.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Well, let’s wrap up meaningless moments and pull out the scripture soothing truths – make the best of this world while you are in it... Fear God… Instead of walking alone, walk with the Lord, He knows the Way. He strengthens the cord. Listen to God, don’t talk over Him like a fool.
Absorb the sound of the earthly rain too – and know God’s reign – it’s never meaningless to listen to either of them and BE STILL…
Amen and Happy Friday.
—
Ecclesiastes 4:7-16, 5:1-7
Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business!
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Advancement Is Meaningless
Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Fulfill Your Vow to God
Chapter 5: Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.
When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.
What an interesting day… and always make lemonade from lemons…
And the end story of the day is the same as the beginning story: Yes, God is more powerful and good then each of our days could be good (or bad or weird)…
I can’t really tell you why I consider this day (yesterday) more weird than others lately, but I still do. It’s not just because I had a conversation about implanting brain chips in our heads – which I did – which I brought God into the conversation – a natural conversation about evil in the world, with a skeptical not paranoid person, someone skeptical of man and knowing the good stuff is used for evil… well, yeah, I agree, and so my thoughts and therefore my comments redirected the conversation towards “God’s bigger than even that. ” YEAH!
Isn’t it great when God gives an apt reply!!!
Anyway, the whole day just kinda rolled weird – but sometimes you have to say keep rolling Lord, Keep Moving…
Here’s the rest of the day’s diatribe, because God and the cat were my listeners in the evening for typing, at least until my friend called me on the phone – a nice moment… and then God reminded me this morning to reinforce the writing with the actual scriptures which explain why we have these days. You don’t have to read the rest, but the end sentence is God Wins!!! (and my end scripture was gifted by God this morning – Isaiah 41-42 – God Wins…
—
Today I started with thankfulness that I had pre-written a devotion that released electronically in the morning and so I could leave close to the crack of dawn as I could for an early morning meeting- but of course, I’m always late – but then with a big traffic tie up on the highway, my lateness became a mute point. 1.5 hrs in the car is OK taking the scenic back roads; and having an hour Bible study podcast for pondering, which included the dream that Pontius Pilate’s wife had about Jesus, which reminded me of a sermon I am going to write about God and dreams; plus I had a phone call to a fellow late person stuck in traffic. Total 45 minutes late, but oh well I wasn’t the only one. It was not the most exciting section we have covered but I do like the trainers and I do like talking to the people. (and it got me out of another meeting)…
Where was God in this? When I am bored or not sure why I am somewhere, I ask God: “why am I here?” Sometimes I believe it is for me to wait and maybe sit there resting my legs and getting to the point to ASK – that’s the purpose: that we ask. Plus I start rolling through my brain of blessings, I’m sitting peacefully, I am in A/C, oh yeah I’m being paid to sit here and learn (hopefully).
My favorite part of the morning was that I got to take photos of everybody together, then share the photos, cool… And my other favorite part was being distracted in the middle by looking at an email that said how a new important thing was in our hands briefly, cool. And also I enjoyed meeting new people in the kitchen during break. Then meeting new people in an online meeting. I really had to take that noon meeting that actually didn’t pertain to me, oh well, it was enough for me to be a friendly face willing to take the meeting! (remember still getting paid to sit there). Anyway, I met these people for an important project and I heard it was for my favorite client, cool… I then sat in the beginning part 2 repeat of the training to catch up what I missed being late 45 minutes (then got to take that 2nd group’s photo)… then skedaddle home for a windshield replacement.
WINDSHIELD – that is God too – our WINDSHIELD to – protecting us… (And yeah I was thankful for that windshield when that rock bounced at 100mph at me!)… So yes, windshield replacement. Yes, I had all my electronic gear and settled in for the 2 hours – busy place. Nice people in a tough spot – either explaining to customers the issues – or people with issues that are not as bad as they think… Worth making lemonade out of the time… I did.
Where was God in this? He provides the sugar for the lemonade… I did get a safe trip home for me for sure in half the time of the morning, an interesting set of people to chat with… And oh yeah, I had the faith to look for Him in the moment. God is in your mix whether you hand Him the spoon or not.
1.5 hrs, that’s it for the windshield, not too bad, however the gentleman next to me had an early appointment, came back, they hadn’t even taken the car back yet, hmmm… and I finished before him, hmmm… and well what do you do but sit, delayed… His phone was dead, he asked if he could use my charger, SURE! 10 minutes later I was then done, I offered the charger, I had 2 including an old one, but he said thanks but no thanks… Sometimes it’s in the offering that God can give you the means to offer and that is enough… he had 6% battery and was happy enough. That’s gratefulness, when you had none but now some…
Ok, windshield, nice people, brain chip conversation… I gave just a little blurb to someone about what I do in science, which started us down the whole brain chips conversation. I could have stated: well good people do good things, like reattached artificial limbs that can move with new brain chips (cool!), I didn’t. I could have stated that no one had enough money to give EVERYONE a brain chip, we can’t even feed or find everyone – not everyone will get the brain chips, I didn’t. I could have changed the subject or ran away, I didn’t. But why Lord, was I in a brain chip conversation about good and evil? Ah, maybe and including to reinforce my belief that You, Lord, already said evil is in the world, that’s a true statement, reinforce me saying it, reinforce us commiserating it. But you have over come evil. (We are all driving cars with cracked windshields but God helps us see thru those cracks.)
Speaking of God in that chatty (weird) conversation then brought some agreement, I did read his eyes, it’s something that looking directly at a person while looking in compassion does, try to get a read on that person – and it is OK in a friendly space with others around… no fear – in 5 minutes… I’ve had lots of practice and yet am naive to do so too, but I could see the quieting of the conversation as we had no other place to go – my position was to speak about Revelation 20-22 without preaching it – just speak it in normal language and quiet the fear – just the end result: “God wins“. He said once they install brain chips it’s game over. I said God is still bigger than that too. “God wins, you know“… maybe that’s what I should make t-shirts of: “God wins“… no, that’s not Game Over… no that’s not “TILT”… THAT IS “GOD WINS over evil, over everything, over all”… “You realize? God Wins! (Revelation 20-22 and Isaiah 41-42)”
Yeah… I need that on my windshield and my car too.
Fear and Fear-raising is an idol. Fear is a false idol used by the enemy to make us not trust in God. I have no doubt that evil in this world will get worse and worse to our eyes – not to everyone’s eyes which is the prediction of corruption, but to so many of us who are warned against it… Well, nothing quiets a conversation (even about evil and fear) more than speaking about God. Nothing raises higher or more conversation either, even if it is within your own brain later… and remember – that WHOLE waiting room of people heard that conversation too… Ears are open that God knows – you probably won’t know – but God does… I got my windshield and a new view NOT cracked. I got to see God putting me in places where He said just be yourself and just be MINE. Cool… That is REALLY seeing clearly – even if still protected thru glass.
Clear view there… no brain chip needed, only rebirth in my head and a life to tread….
The other nails down the idol so it will not topple.
“But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham my friend,
I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
“All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.
Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.
For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob,
little Israel, do not fear,
for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
“See, I will make you into a threshing sledge,
new and sharp, with many teeth.
You will thresh the mountains and crush them,
and reduce the hills to chaff.
You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up,
and a gale will blow them away.
But you will rejoice in the Lord
and glory in the Holy One of Israel.
“The poor and needy search for water,
but there is none;
their tongues are parched with thirst.
But I the Lord will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs.
I will put in the desert
the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
I will set junipers in the wasteland,
the fir and the cypress together,
so that people may see and know,
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
“Present your case,” says the Lord.
“Set forth your arguments,” says Jacob’s King.
“Tell us, you idols,
what is going to happen.
Tell us what the former things were,
so that we may consider them
and know their final outcome.
Or declare to us the things to come,
tell us what the future holds,
so we may know that you are gods.
Do something, whether good or bad,
so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear.
But you are less than nothing
and your works are utterly worthless;
whoever chooses you is detestable.
“I have stirred up one from the north, and he comes—
one from the rising sun who calls on my name.
He treads on rulers as if they were mortar,
as if he were a potter treading the clay.
Who told of this from the beginning, so we could know,
or beforehand, so we could say, ‘He was right’?
No one told of this, no one foretold it,
no one heard any words from you.
I was the first to tell Zion, ‘Look, here they are!’
I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good news.
I look but there is no one—
no one among the gods to give counsel,
no one to give answer when I ask them.
See, they are all false!
Their deeds amount to nothing;
their images are but wind and confusion.
—
The Servant of the Lord “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
This is what God the Lord says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
“I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”
Song of Praise to the Lord Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them. Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices; let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops. Let them give glory to the Lord and proclaim his praise in the islands. The Lord will march out like a champion, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies.
“For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools. I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame.
He un-hammers the nails in your hand, from within… – I quickly grabbed my phone to start writing…
I’ve been studying my recently patched roof for the tremendous amount of rain this past weekend. Nice steady rain for my garden. And no dripping into my laundry room after saturated boards fill, thank God, the boards stayed dry in the big storms. But then after one extended period yesterday, I felt one section to be damp. Hmmm…. So not a perfect patch, yet, but I can’t complain. And more goo can be glued in. The nail hole is still there but now filled with a waterproof patch goo, there must be another hole somewhere. I will work it out – more experimenting to do… Not worried but working it out…
As my early morning fresh start presented my brain to the Lord, my thoughts were in His Workshop before I started to fill it with my projects (then race out the door). The Lord patched a thought into my brain for my writing fingers to express: When we sin, people say: ‘you are hammering the nails into Jesus’. And well, yes, I’ve always heard that as a deterrent from sinning, especially to kids… but think of the many people sinning, the original sin too, and we are not alone. Our sins are not uncommon to mankind. The nails that pierced His Hands and Feet, Jesus took them on for all, fulfilling the prophecy, plus took on the sword piercing. He did take them on for our sins. Perhaps our own sins hammer more nail holes in us? Well we could die eternally from our sin (and original sin too) and yet we have an opportunity to be patched. There’s only one way to live again and be reborn clean – by asking forgiveness and believing in the power of Jesus – Lord of our Life – this is how we are to be cleansed by His blood. He does the work.
What work? He un-hammers the sin in us. He un-hammers the nails in your hand, from within. Jesus patches the holes from within. Jesus taps taps taps back everything and anything a new nail pierces. He IS a Carpenter, you know. Jesus has a workshop but also travels to each of us to hammer out “love between my sisters and my brothers” as they sing. Jesus makes house calls – inside you.
We may be minor strikes to Him, but the holes to us are unfathomable because they are deep. We may need a refill of blood – so He gushed it to us. We may need patches – He is the whole stretchable layer of white onto our appearances. God’s Heaven holds all the Living Water we need to be cleansed. Jesus remains the Lamb Slain, for us all.
So let us hammer out our feelings about forgiveness – let us let the Lord craft our lives in His thoughts and repair us and restore us to life. Let us be born again to be His Hands and Feet movable and working hard for “our brothers and our sisters”…
Let’s ask Jesus – Please find me in the darkness and tough times, please show me the light thru You, and Lord, thank You for patching me into Your Mercy and Grace. Please patch me both within your workshop and make my every day “work in progress” into Your Job Site. Thank You Lord.
Amen
—
John 20:24-29
Jesus Appears to Thomas Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
I wrote this a few days ago, but in the writing, it seemed like I needed to put it down, bored with it, that’s God’s real message for me to stop. Lost His track. But I feel best now to release this now on a rainy day of Sunday rest. I have rehashed it to release it, if only to put away my human frivolity now that I’ve heard about 7 lost souls, passed away, including 2 children, in flash flooding just 20 minutes north of me. It was like 6 inches of rain in like an hour… This brings the meaningless complaints of the weather into light, mine and others. This is real stuff and we can tolerate the little stuff, (can’t we?). And as ‘we weather the weather’ – a great poem – but do we also: weather the whether? Meaning do we get thru life’s unknowns intact? Well, with the Lord’s help, blessings, hope and promise, we can weather the whether… (and the weather)…
…everything God does will endure forever…
Lord, thank you for letting me process with words and in Your Word. Thank you for the beautiful times (and the difficult times) to remind us You are to be feared, loved, respected, known.
Here’s my post (about the weather and the whether):
Unsettled (and Settled)
I watch weather with interest, it is both predictable and unpredictable. Life is unsettled and unpredictable too, so be prepared and depend upon God always… Life is settled only WITH God. He solves the ‘whether?’ with a yes. He makes us able to weather the world.
So with the Lord’s mercy, I share a diatribe of weather (now edited), and a praise of His mercy. And I pray for those families who were swept away now with unbelievable tragedy…
In nature there is normal stuff: my possum visitor, a baby praying mantis, big clunky beetles, fireflies, mosquitoes and moths. And a cat who wants to be outside too.
And the weather…
I embrace the weather forecasts as interesting. Sometimes there are torrents of rain in pockets of “train-ing” – where the system just won’t stop and it floods overwhelmingly. I’m on a hill, I forget to worry sometimes. Flood plains used to be set apart, not so much anymore. Sometimes one area has a drought, sad. Sometimes less than an hour away maybe, it can be completely flooded, devastating… We tend to forget to make our own risk assessments in life WITH prayers, but a quick rise of the unknowns will catch anyone off guard. We even try to trick the weather by taking an umbrella so we won’t need it, good that they are small to carry. Other older times we, especially as children, we lived IN the weather, we would actually own raincoats (hand me downs back then) and ponchos and rain boots (and plastic bags for our feet)… Now we just sometimes wait inside until it’s done, WEIRD. Local – we live local but rarely prep local anymore – we don’t learn how to live in nature either, we have the lack of resiliency that we all slip into. We also don’t depend on the local weather for our food anymore, in a global economy/source way. The blueberries I picked yesterday could be considered a luxury to me, and they were SO good, but to the farmer this is their livelihood, the weather is at God’s mercy for them. Weather is not for our folly but God’s fields. I have many days this week being awoken by the thunder, or downpour and the cat being scared. We had a drought but are now in a typical high humidity summer pattern, yes I said typical, popcorn storms and more. People have been saying how weird the weather is, but I think that statement in itself is strange because it IS normal to have weather that’s different at different times of the year and weather that’s different in different years. YES!
(I think this has been quite a summer for a weather junkie – like me – like a couch tornado chaser, with awe of the variation and variability. But with prayers for those adversely affected.)
I sat outside in the start of a thunderstorm yesterday (the same one that north produced the flooding. Now, before you go tattling on me to my mom (I already told her) it WAS a DISTANT storm for quite a while, and even the cat was not nervous, cleaning herself and minding her own business. The other night, the possum didn’t scare her either. She’s pretty good at gaging situations. Possums, certain beetles and bugs are more cool than anything. The skunk smell however, this morning, clearly dissuaded her from begging for any outside time in her tent. Smart cat. (I have a big screen tent in the backyard to protect myself from mosquitos and my cat too, a small tent to protect AND keep her from escaping). WE LOVE to be outside. Well, yesterday I continually scanned the radar, checked the wind and clouds. Obviously when the rain started and wind, we came inside, the cat knew best too. Half an hour later with cooler temps, I went back out to weed a now softened garden. Yay flowers and eggplant, beans and breaths of fresh air.
People (and me too, even as a gardener) don’t always take in the forecast minute by minute, but CLEARLY the storms are noticeable. I love looking at radars and not guessing, but as always we simply should be ready for everything and have a plan. Do we absorb forecasts as an education? Sometimes. Hopefully we learn at the very minimum to shut our sunroof every time.
Now, the world gone worldly is the common thing and to be expected. That’s in the forecast, you know…
Unsettled is weather but settled is the why. The WHY is simply or untimely answered – we will see that God has done everything in His Kingdom for Our Good – anything worldly IS unsettled and subject to change. How will we weather this? Only by looking OUT of the world, even while in the world. And look at the world as if we were looking thru God’s eyes, with compassion. How then to weather this world? With Him, that’s how. We can settle our hearts with a God Who already settled the score (He won).
Let me wrap up a time of pondering with a pondering of time, by our Ecclesiastes author, chapter 3:1-15. There is a season for everything…
Let us weather the ‘whether?’ with: “YES, LORD”. He’s got the time to help us watch and weather our lives. Accept this as a gift AND a command.
Amen
Ecclesiastes 3 NIV 1-15
A Time for Everything
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.
Whether the weather be fine, or whether the weather be not Poem by Anonymous Whether the weather be fine, or whether the weather be not, Whether the weather be cold, or whether the weather be hot, We’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather, Whether we like it or not.
What a needed Bible message, perfect for a rainy summer morning, this world is wacky but we need to live in it, people are people, God is ALL in ALL.
Wisdom is better than folly. Light is better than darkness.
King Solomon (one of our VBS stories this year) is said to be this author of Ecclesiastes (and also Proverbs), filled with wisdom but beset by human humanness, folly-failing, futility-faced. Solomon had been chasing the wind for years too, even while seeing the wisdom against it. Solomon had riches untold, then future generations lost touch with them. It’s a classic problem, called out by Solomon, that we will forget things and people and we too will be forgotten by people.
But God remains. Was, Is, Will Be. His Word unchangeable. His Wisdom unflappable.
There’s so much here (part 1 for chapters 1 and 2), please read Ecclesiastes and understand that in future chapters, the writer will essentially sum up in a saying of ‘just do your best, enjoy life, work hard, love well’.
I wonder, did Solomon get this great wisdom (gifted by God) for explaining how God must be patient with humans, He knew the frailty, He knows the frivolity, He rescues the people anyway because He loves us.
There is beauty in this world and ugliness of course, but for God this world is made for blessing us with Himself, seeing us forever as His children, He will never forget us. All that’s glitters is not gold, but all that GLORYs is GOD’S.
Thank You God for Your Word(s) of Wisdom.
Amen
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Ecclesiasties Chapters 1-2
Everything Is Meaningless
The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
...
What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.
All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; THERE IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN.
Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them.
Wisdom Is Meaningless
I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.
I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.” Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.
For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.
Pleasures Are Meaningless
I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.
I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart. I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.
Wisdom and Folly Are Meaningless
Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king’s successor do than what has already been done?
I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness. The wise have eyes in their heads, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.
Then I said to myself, “The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?” I said to myself, “This too is meaningless.” For the wise, like the fool, will not be long remembered; the days have already come when both have been forgotten. Like the fool, the wise too must die!
Toil Is Meaningless
So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.
A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
There are some sections of the bible which are just a marvel. like the last bit of Proverbs 30… Wisdom spelled out for all to understand in simple but elegant fashion. Be Wise, learn to work, don’t strut in pride that stirs up anger, be quiet when you could say stuff – but just don’t. Be in awe of the creatures which live wisely and are blessed. Surely we must remember that wisdom comes from God. I appreciated the VBS coloring sheet that I found which shows a medieval knight bowing down to worship God. We all must take time to be appreciative of God’s Almighty Majesty… “Every knee will bow…”
Imagine these debates and discussions could be held about an ant or a lizard – and yet there are mighty creatures of God in all sizes. Imagine these debates and discussions about kings, tremendous teaching opportunities, and well there are fools among us all. We learn LOTS from a fall. Each of us should strive to kneel before we strut too tall. All in All, we can praise when wisdom is gifted to big and small. Don’t be churning butter y’all!
Read on for some true wisdom – thank you Agar in Proverbs 30:
“Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise:
*Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;
*Hyraxes are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags;
*Locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks;
*A Lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings’ palaces.
“There are three things that are stately in their stride, four that move with stately bearing:
*A Lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing;
*a strutting rooster,
*a he-goat,
*and a king secure against revolt.
“If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth! For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, sostirring up anger produces strife.”
I have various opportunities at work, not my core duties but broaden my portfolio of fun, including hosting webinars and presenting them too. Next week is about owning your courage and career. This week, a couple times, I was the moderator for a science fair webinar aimed at an audience of children of our staff. One was about using machine technology to study protein interactions with potential drug molecules, cool. Another was one on making kitchen volcanoes into an experiment testing variables – oh, I know about those! One of the questions I asked was: “what was the temperature of the material? did it turn more cold or hot (exothermic)? What happened to the potential energy from breaking a bond or did one have to put energy in to create a new bond – storing up more potential energy…???
Ah Potential… Potential energy stored up in molecules, in us, in everything… Potential pulls from what is already here, just a change of form. That’s us too. Life POTENTIAL can be our potential.
Our potential is to use our energy for the Lord. Potentially, the potential that the Lord puts into us involved His energy to break our chains. Potentially, our potential (once we shake off the broken chains) is to move forward freely… How much energy did the Lord put into us? Unlimited. How much energy does it take to start a wide path of destruction pitfalls? TOO LITTLE, too easy, too often.
What if we squander what little energy we have? Well, the Lord knows all about those situations and those people and us as people… HE FORGIVES. Still let us try to avoid them… We have potential to learn from these misdeeds too – let’s learn and live better.
Here is a list of “oh no’s” from Proverbs 30, Part 2, let’s live better within our own potential: “There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among mankind. – “The leech has two daughters. ‘Give! Give!’ they cry. – “There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’: the grave, the barren womb, land, which is never satisfied with water, and fire, which never says, ‘Enough!’
Ugh!!! I don’t want to fall into that potential – I want to live under and within love from my potential by listening to God. I want to be satisfied, unlike fire. I want to listen to Him like Mary at His feet, then use my potential for Him. Jesus did say: “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.“
Let’s try to live in love with showing love. God’s purpose puts a lot of potential in us! Let’s use it for Him!
Amen
Psalm 16 by David
Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips.
Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
I am savoring this summer, yes it’s hot, not cold except inside. But with the window open, nice 70’s outside is sort of chilly in a good way, blanket to snuggle, the blessings of a new day to appreciate. So much so that the birds (God takes care of them too) have been up a couple hours already. Savor summer, it’s short.
I didn’t get to the beach yet, but I DID finish my beach book, started 2 summers ago, a savor of reading about our Savior – the slain lamb, the Lion, the exalted one – the ‘Name Above All Names”. This book by Begg and Ferguson is so meaty it only could be absorbed in small 2 page chunks anyway, perfect for the beach or airport or anywhere you will have such limited time to read but a lifetime to appreciate. I had been singing the praise song lyric when walking by the book sale… same title… WOW… And yes, timing is God’s timing and I got the REPEAT verse in an email this morning, after finishing the book: “Name above all names” Paul wrote to the Phillipians… WOW… Life is too short to wonder if God is sending messages, ah yeah, HE IS. Life is too short not to receive them.
God specifically makes for me – gives me – extra morning time for just us and my processing, so I accept this time, I savor scripture after sleep, I savor sleep after the long day and His Rest forever… In this morning, it’s quiet enough to hear the train in the distance seem nearby, and that’s our future too, NEARBY.
The summer is short, the year is short, life is short. I’m early 50’s, the mid 50’s seem forever from now. I imagine 20 years ago was so short ago yet filled with life all along, will the next 20 be filled for me too? That’s such an unknown, I would be in my 70’s if I make it. Maybe Jesus comes back sooner than later, I won’t worry either way because my rapture bag is packed. Oh yeah, there’s nothing to pack, only unpack to let Jesus carry it and leave it for me. I do and will have my life bags full because I am human, but I will and will have to let them go, leave them at the train station for heaven, let it all go… Best to stop accumulating anything but memories now. BUT I WILL LIVE TODAY LIKE I WILL LIVE FOREVER… I will live in the WONDER of God’s Will always.
We only get about 120 years max to live. How about Noah at 900? God limited living after that time to 120 years max. And Jesus? Jesus ONLY got and took 33 years, just 3 for ministry – on earth – some of that just for prayer alone with God in His wilderness of getting away from it all – to be strengthened to DO IT ALL. He could or would have wanted longer but really He wants us all to understand forever that God has been thinking of us.
Jesus, Name above all names, got that Name from God who exalted Him after Jesus humbled Himself. Jesus: “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” Jesus was humble as the most powerful, and lives within us to strengthen our weakness. Therefore, let us attempt life less brazen and more bondservant. Less reputation and more reputable. Less human and more Jesus in, under, and through our skin.
And my name? Under HIS. We need to PUT HIS ABOVE because it already IS. Our name should be “child of God” – “servant of Jesus” – “just me”,under His. For Jesus IS NAME above all names. Every knee shall bow.
SO, DON’T WORRY ABOUT TODAY, let alone tomorrow, God’s got this. Live like you are living forever and yet just today. Don’t worry about non-humbled people getting in your way either, because our knees should already be bowed and we should only be searching for His Face.
Thank You Lord for being You. This is how we live TODAY!
Amen
—2 Philippians 1-11 NJKV, a letter from Paul:
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
The Humbled and Exalted Christ
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Oh, what fitting sentiment and utterance: ‘God, I know You are God and I am NOT’… ‘God, I know You are amazing, how can I even grasp it?’… These are sentiments of Agur son of Jakeh—in an inspired utterance included as Proverbs 30. He barely feels like a man let alone able to grasp life with understanding of God… and yet he knows and mentions what he needs and wants from God – he wants just enough: “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”
Give me just enough. Yes, we can appreciate that, not too much but not too little. Really, our daily bread, which is Jesus, the Word of God. Jesus in life, one day at a time, is all we need and all we can handle too. We need Jesus to handle it all, even and especially our brushes with evil, self-doubt, challenges, frustration, life.
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” This sentiment is how we are to begin each day, shielded in God, how else will we survive? The next part of Proverbs 30 details pitfalls, but first think of God, how else will we prevail? Let us look to the Lord for protection first, put on the Armor of God and keep moving. God leads, we can follow Him.
The Armor of God represents both protection and one aspect of a weapon, that weapon is the Truth, Sword of Truth, which is the Word, which is Jesus. The Word breaks barriers and kills evil, can pierce through fronts of seeming armor but not of God, falseness fronts, those false flashy idols and ideals are no match to God. Darkness has not overcome the Light.
Imagine the armor forged by man: chain mail armor, forged by hand, every link building coverage with the next link. This personal coverage like feathers on a bird protects, is flexible, moves. Imagine then how good God’s armor is. God needs us to move. God’s Armor on us allows us freedom in Him and separation from the world, yet to stay in the world. God needs us in this world to do His Will. We were born for a time like this.
Armor also needs soft underlying material to be gentle on your skin. Our skin itself is great armor too. Protection and movable. Protection from internal damage and an ability to be thick, sometimes calloused, but intact. No chains of the enemy (chains of sin and death) will gain authority over the Armor of God for your life even if it cuts through the flesh. God already won the war, let Him lead the battle.
Keep moving my friends. One day at a time. Keep holding on to and within the power of God to keep Life. He has put eternity into your heart. Worship God.
Amen
—-
Proverbs 30:1-9 NIV
This man’s utterance to Ithiel: “I am weary, God, but I can prevail. Surely I am only a brute, not a man; I do not have human understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One. Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
“Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”
—-
Matthew 4:1-11 NIV – Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
—-
Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV
The Armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your FEET fitted with the READINESS that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the SHIELD of FAITH, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the HELMET of SALVATION and the SWORD of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD. And PRAY in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people…
Sunny this morning, nice, no hint of the storm last afternoon. What a terrific rainstorm! Wow, we needed it and I loved it and best yet, my ceiling in the laundry room didn’t leak! Woohoo!!! What great humidity this weekend, broken by the rain temporarily… You know, it IS SUMMER, both technically and functionally and repetitively… We best get used to it, lap up these dog days of summer… no snow!
My cat, participating in this rain storm, did NOT appreciate the thunder which was minimal compared to other times. She didn’t want to leave my side last night… in the quiet time of evening, she was here stretched out and OK – but still touching me with a paw and then against me completely. But not this morning, yes content but impatient and feisty. She doesn’t cuddle up much, but she does cower down, low to the ground in safer spaces in thunderstorms. It’s the touch of safety to just connect us. Resting while touching our security. Maybe it would be nice if cats could talk too, then again no.
In my quiet time, these storms gave me the opportunity to read in the safety of being inside, but I’m no scaredy cat, I chart the storms, evaluate the closeness of it, and screenshot radars. I would run in between the raindrops if I could but not in thunder and lightning. I’m no fool even if my ways are sometimes foolish. There’s lots of proverbs about fools, that’s a whole section chapters 26-29. Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool. Don’t risk thunderstorms, but don’t be a scaredy cat, but do reach out and find comfort. Look for rainbows, I sensed there would be one, but my cat kept me close. I saw messages of them from encouraging friends.
In my reading, most importantly I was studying scripture lessons about Jesus being the Lion and the Lamb. This book I have almost finished, so highly recommend “Name Above All Names”, so good. The chapter on Revelation suggests that we don’t get so caught up on the weirdness of descriptions to lose the MAJESTY, POWER, AWESOMENESS of Jesus explained, of Old Testament fulfilled, and especially being set right. Jesus as the Lion AND the Lamb, the author counts the couple dozen mentions of the Slain Lamb as the ultimate ability for our Lion of Judah to accept death as a Lamb sacrifice yet still be up and standing. AMAZING!
Yes we will see this all in Heaven, we will be in AWE. And all will be understood and tears absorbed. We can touch this time, like we are in a rainstorm, go from cowering to resting while touching our security, because we need to know Jesus is setting it all right.
Whether we are caught in storms or sitting well, Jesus will return and set all things Heavenly right – we need to be patient and patiently working. Let us think of good things of Him. And let us live wisely (not foolishly) in these times. WE BEST NOT BE FOOLS. LET’S CLING TO THE LORD. Jesus Is a Lion and a Lamb, and NO Scaredy Cat!
Thanks Lord for comfort in the storms. Thanks for the reach and touch. Thanks also for the RAINBOWS. AMEN AMEN AMEN
Proverbs 26-29 NKJV, select excerpts about being foolish and being WISE
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As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
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A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
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Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
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Like the legs of the lame that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of fools. Like one who binds a stone in a sling is he who gives honor to a fool. Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
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The great God who formed everything gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages. As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
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Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
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He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart; Though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
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Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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My Son, Be Wise. Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
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Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
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A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.
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A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, but to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
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As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man.
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Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.
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For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.
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The Righteous Are Bold as a Lion. The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.
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Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all.
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Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
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Happy is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
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He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!
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A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
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A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him.
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He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.
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He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.
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If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.
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A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.
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The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
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The king who judges the poor with truth, his throne will be established forever.
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Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
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A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.
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The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
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Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice for man comes from the Lord.
His Spirit enables and enriches the Word IS enjoyed.
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Not all who hear, Listen.
No all who listen, understand.
But with the Spirit interpreting, understanding will expand.
So dig into the Word and let it leap to your eyes from your hand.
The Scriptures bring Him alive, Jesus, Son of Man.
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Amen
Listen, Hear, Live, Love, Share
Believe.
—
Proverbs 25:11-14
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear. Like the cold of snow in time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters. Whoever falsely boasts of giving is like clouds and wind without rain.
Not only does it seem summer can get carried away, fretted away, lost so quickly, the whole year is half gone. It’s like we just got started, but already planning back to school, fall festivities, Christmas. No, the reason for ‘Christmas in July’ is that it’s IN July, SUMMER. Enjoy summer because like Christmas it will come and go too too fast… !!!
My readings in the ‘Jesus Calling’ daily devotion book remind me not just that I’ve read through half of it, but that Jesus carried me through ALL of it. Just like the ribbon demarcation helps lift the pages to your place, let us remember Jesus and His Word carried us through all those done days. He carried us safe thus far, we’re still here aren’t we? Any peace we have now, Whom restored it? Jesus. Thank You Lord.
My second book I noticed that without a ribbon, I use the book flap to cover the completed pages, folded over and tucked away. Jesus again, folded me in, tucked my past away, and proclaims me His. Not only that, the cover claims “His Name above all names” – which is all we need. Can’t wait to finish these pages of life WITH Him.
Remember for us in Heaven, there is no personal fame, nor more shame, ONLY His NAME. Jesus will Reign. All Glory will Proclaim and Exclaim His Name above all names.
Amen and thank You Jesus for claiming, covering and continuing my life. Let’s open the book to the next chapter. Remember to dig deep under His cover, get carried away in His Plan. He completes us and we complete Him in LOVE.
For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Amen
—
Philippians 2:1-16 from Paul to the church (and us)
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and GAVE HIM THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
THANK YOU, GOD, I’m relaxing (for now). Weird for wobbly starts. Thank You, God, I’ve got nothing pressing to do (yet). Thank You, God, You did it all (I just have to remember that). Thanks Lord for me being slightly bored. Weird but alone is OK too.
Last Tuesday afternoon (after filling up the day in the yard and gardens):
Thank You, God, I’ve got my daughter visiting EARLY (after I pick up her and her laundry, lol). Thank You God, I miss her and love her and wow the cat will be THRILLED. Thanks Lord for me being re-directed. (And thanks for the prodding all day to just keep working.)
Thursday morning:
Whew Lord, how am I going to fit everything in? How interesting how you redirected my Wednesday, what about today? Thank You Lord for ONLY You know the path, the pace, the priorities and the plan. Thank You Lord for the peace, the purpose, the particulars, the people, the praise, the possibilities, the problems too. Pursue Your Plan, Lord, You ALWAYS say that, You know best. And I’ll learn to put Your Power into my Praise.
Later this afternoon?:
Let’s see how God worked it today, for Him (and me too)… Let us follow His Lead. Let us see how God works out priorities, planning, pursuits!!!
“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,…” Proverbs 25:2a
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.
I love the roadside church sign that I saw couple days ago: “READ THE BIBLE, IT WILL SCARE THE HELL OUT OF YOU.” … Hmmm… Well… YES! ! !
So I turned my car around and took a photo. And then I got myself back into the Bible reading/writing.
The Bible IS going to scare each of us, at times, but it’s BETTER and MORE than that, the Bible SCARES the Devil DOWN, like throwing LIVING WATER onto a fire fueled with fear. Jesus saves the day. Us listening to the Lord makes the Devil ‘steaming’ mad.
THANK YOU JESUS FOR KEEPING US OUT OF HELL AND HELL OUT OF US.
The Bible Scriptures, studied and absorbed, when ingrained in our thoughts and actions, will give us daily apt responses, give us timely advice (like put on the Armor of God), and convict us and convince us from going down a bad way… We are human but God applies Jesus-level purification to our sins. The Bible will bring Jesus to Life in us, and no Way in Hell will Jesus let us go any other which way once He has His Way. Give Jesus the Right of Way in your life, He paid the price for it.
Hell is NOT a party, don’t be enticed to the lies.Here are gems of Wisdom from Proverbs, over 30 Sayings of the Wise… straight from God’s mouth to our ears.
“Yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things.”
I especially appreciated, this 4th of July freedom weekend, to remember to NOT take freedoms for granted, and we should not slip into lax, lazy, or loathsome ways… the Bible tells us so…
“I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; so shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.”
(Yeah, I finished mowing my lawn after that… wise… and today, back to work for me! what a nice 4 day weekend – freedom to praise God!)
Amen
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Proverbs 22:17 – 24 NKJV
Sayings of the Wise
Saying 1: Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge; For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; let them all be fixed upon your lips, So that your trust may be in the Lord; I have instructed you today, even you. Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, that I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those who send to you?
Saying 2: Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; For the Lord will plead their cause, and plunder the soul of those who plunder them.
Saying 3: Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.
Saying 4: Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, One of those who is surety for debts; If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you?
Saying 5: Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set.
Saying 6: you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men.
Saying 7: Listen to Your Father. When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you; and put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.
Saying 8: Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.Saying 9: Do not eat the bread of a miser, Nor desire his delicacies; For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you. The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up, and waste your pleasant words.
Saying 10: Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Saying 11: Do not remove the ancient landmark, nor enter the fields of the fatherless; for their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you.
Saying 12: Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge.
Saying 13: Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell.
Saying 14: My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself; Yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things.
Saying 15: Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.
Saying 16: Hear, my son, and be wise;
And guide your heart in the way.
Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.
Saying 17: Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.
Saying 18: My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways. For a harlot is a deep pit, And a seductress is a narrow well. She also lies in wait as for a victim, and increases the unfaithful among men.
Who has woe?Who has sorrow?Who has contentions?Who has complaints?Who has wounds without cause?Who has redness of eyes?Those who linger long at the wine,Those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”
Saying 20: Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking.
Saying 21: Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Saying 22: A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
Saying 23: Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the gate.
Saying 24: He who plots to do evil Will be called a schemer. The devising of foolishness is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men.
Saying 25: If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
Saying 26: My son, eat honey because it is good, and the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste; So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, and your hope will not be cut off.
Saying 27: Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not plunder his resting place; For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
Saying 28: Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him,And He turn away His wrath from him.
Saying 29: Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked; For there will be no prospect for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
Saying 30: My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those given to change; For their calamity will arise suddenly, And who knows the ruin those two can bring?
Further Sayings of the Wise:These things also belong to the wise:
*It is not good to show partiality in judgment. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” him the people will curse; nations will abhor him. But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.
*He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.
*Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house.
*Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, For would you deceive with your lips? Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”
* I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; So shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.
It’s a long 4-day weekend that I am taking, for the 4th of July. Loving summer and opportunities to travel (both kids are away) and because the cat home is surely alright! Freedom is freedom except when you don’t remember to feel and act free.
I’ve been visiting up home and yay we got to the fields for last chance for STRAWBERRY picking (crop was toughest in years to pick – but we got the last hour before the thunderstorms rolled in! but TOTALLY worth it)… Just enough time as the season closes out. Got shelling peas too, not the best season but still some is better than none. Fringe benefit: STRAWBERRIES on cheesecake. STRAWBERRY Rhubarb pie, excellently made crust too… STRAWBERRY anything… Even the end of strawberry season is sweet.
Summer is a season for enjoyment. Don’t let it slip by… enjoy!!! (our phrase: ‘it’s not snowing, might as well enjoy!’)
It is ‘coincidence’ on this visit that it is 2 years that my Dad’s been gone, but I imagine him up in Heaven doing OK, even playing cards with “the guys” including most of his brothers. As we drove back from the strawberry fields we passed a small cemetery where my mom just simply said: “So many of my classmates are there”… whew… yeah, take the time before the time takes you … Even the end of the season makes the sweetest memories.
Many of my passed family members and “the guys” from the heyday of my parents first years married, we saw in some 1960’s home movies over these past 2 days. My Dad transferred them to camcorder and vhs, then I had uploaded them online (privately) about 10 years ago as well as placed on DVD. It is just cool to see 1960’s everything, my family was of 50’s styles, 50’s cars and 50’s people who had freedom to be young in the 60’s. Good to see my grandparents in these movies, 30’s stress 40’s determination 50’s relief now in 60’s smiles….
Good to see everyone’s freedom to smile and live well (or well enough) by people who struggled previously. Trust me, the freedoms of stability was clearer than the fuzzy focusing of the film. In all, you could see the smiles.
This is 4th of July (and all days) for American appreciation with smiles of freedom brought by HARD WORK. American appreciation of holidays and vacations, traveling and camping and new houses and new children plus memories of old.
These movies represent my dad’s freedom to capture the moments in time on recordings, freedom to appreciate his family, both blood and relational-relatives. My dad cared to record them and share. My dad worked so hard, it’s good to see what he enjoyed, in family and friends, new house, weddings (and lots of vacation and zoo visits). Of course there are films of us kids too (and lots more vacations and zoos). They didn’t have riches but they did have a rich life!
Above all, our freedom to be free is to have freedom to be who we need to be, want to be, try to be, should be. Freedom to focus on freedom.
My freedom to focus this weekend was gifted by others who gave up their freedom. I’m in thanksgiving to those whom I don’t know, and in love of appreciation for those I do.
In this quiet time reserved by the Lord for me and Him, (He woke me up to find focus time, then refound me time taking a break from driving), I have to appreciate the Lord’s gifted Freedom to Focus back on Him… I appreciate this set of Proverbs 22, about good names, good people, good focus, like that of my family, plus warnings of folly too (in all of us).
I finish my writing today in front of a firepit – how randomly nice as I stopped driving to stretch my legs, stopped at the river whitewater base camp. In five minutes of sitting, two young men set up a campfire! Cool … warm… summer savoring… and chatting with people who just wanted to chat… Even the beginning of the summer season makes the sweetest memories.
All in all, THANK YOU Lord for this moment to appreciate it, all in all.
This summer, please take the time to appreciate TIME. Appreciate the FREEDOM TO FOCUS.
Amen
Proverbs 22:1-12 – NKJV
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all.
A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished. By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.
Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul will be far from them.
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, and the rod of his anger will fail.
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.
Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease.
He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend.
The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the faithless.
Remembering my Dad, who passed 2 years ago now… This post is such a memory – the smell of his sweater…
It’s been a process in processing after my Dad passed away.
That process in processing seems quick because my Dad passed away just 3 weeks ago. Everyone is doing very well and it was a JOY traveling up home. Picking Blueberries, Thai food, walks, talks and meeting their new cat. The joy of trinkets of 40 year old toys of mine found in a hidden closet while emptying the attic. Weebles wobble but they STILL don’t fall down. An unexpected “treasure” were the black walnuts in the attic, crazy, just plain nuts! A hundred or more walnuts stowed into chewed empty cardboard boxes. Squirrels try to store up treasures too. A funny new memory for us.
Cleaning is a process to processing that is as therapeutic as it is necessary. As therapeutic as it is sad and yet we are VERY grateful for remembering all the good times. Sadness fades. Treasured memories remain.
As I moved items, on top was my father’s blue sweater that he seemed always dressed in, especially the last few years. My mom paused in tearful processing when she saw it. I paused to hug her. It is important that life and love does move us to move forward. My Dad doesn’t need that sweater anymore. We don’t either. We know to not store up treasures or sweaters which won’t last, the bible reminds us of this too (Matthew 6).
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
So someone else can use that sweater. We shall keep the memories of course. Blessed memories…
The lingered smell in the sweater surely reminded me of him. Cool little memory triggers seem to come like every day. I smelled it once again before I put it in the washing machine, his suit coat too. A smell in your memory bank can be priceless but not a treasure to save anywhere except within your smile and within your heart. A smell on a shirt can comfort your baby or puppy, so why not you too. A smell can bring memories unique to you.
I thought of this sweater today, sitting in church, when I was reading ahead, in the story of Mary, Martha’s sister, who took a tremendously valuable bottle of perfumed oil “nard” to pour onto Jesus’s feet and head. A WHOLE bottle worth a year’s wages. WOW expensive and WOW a strong smell too. The house was FILLED with the scent. The money-focused folks gasped, but the teacher in Jesus consoled her and appreciated the gesture and used her as an example of LOVE. She was and is valuably mentioned by us forever to represent His teaching moment to know real treasure: spending time with Him. Jesus explained to others that Mary was pre-anointing Him for death, and He knew His death was soon to come, within a week’s time. Although He taught and told of His death and deliverance, it is unknown how many people really processed what they heard Him say. We don’t know what we will do today or tomorrow but Jesus knew His time was near. So, with the strong scented oil now poured on Jesus’s feet, Mary used her hair to wipe them. I bet the WHOLE house smelled of the treasured nard oil. Everyone who came close to Jesus that night must have smelled the strong scent. Everyone who came close to Mary must have also smelled her perfumed hair. And no doubt that strong smell lingered for some time in the house. I think it is fitting of this sweet scent as the presence of God in Jesus FILLING the house. Like the scripture states, the smell of Christ is life to those being saved. That’s what reminded me of my Dad’s smell from his sweater.
Just a week or so after Mary poured that oil on Jesus, just outside of Jerusalem in Bethany, we now know what Jesus knew: Jesus was on His Way to death then resurrected LIFE. The scriptures don’t tell us what Mary and Martha did after His death, but can you imagine that the house may have still smelled of the perfume for some time – even past Jesus’s passing (well it was only a week later!!)… Perhaps Mary’s hair did too, the smell and the memory lingered in her hair or her clothes. Did it trigger thoughts of sorrowful loss or joyful memories for her? A smell of death or a smell of LIFE? Probably both. How about after Jesus arose? Did Mary once again catch the scent in the house and think back to that night in pain – or did it trigger JOY? It’s not my place to add anything to scripture, but my thought of their thoughts makes me sure that Mary held many a memory of Jesus treasured in her heart.
Jesus did rise after His death. He did crush the evils of death as foretold in Genesis (chapter 3). Mary became remembered as treasured by the Lord, her story specifically savored in His Word as well as in our retelling. Mary did put her treasure where her heart was, with Jesus. We can too. The smell of Christ is salvation. So, I put the smell of my Dad’s sweater in the category of reminding me that He is in Heaven with Jesus. The best JOY that Jesus gives us life eternally.
We each can remember many unique treasured thoughts of our loved ones. We can all make new unique memories now too, these become future memories that will give life and joy – then and now. When Jesus is remembered, there is JOY. When Jesus is remembered, their is sorrow for the pain He had to bear. When Jesus is remembered, His LOVE is remembered too. No doubt, Jesus treasured us all. He treasures me and He treasures you.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Live LIFE as TREASURED as a loved child of God. Live in the moment (as Mary did). Treasure Jesus (as Mary Did).
Love Life and love all (as Jesus does too).
Amen
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John 12: 1-8
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
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Mark 14:3-9
While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.
“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
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Matthew 6:19-22
Treasures in Heaven
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
My Dad, who passed 2 years ago now, was always looking out for me – always and forever…
Looking back, I love that one of the last things that my Dad said to my Mom, including “I love you” was: “Move the car.”
My Dad was always looking out for me, and my kids. He knew what was going on up until the end. I was driving home that last day, he knew that and wanted my mom to move her car from blocking my car from reaching my recent normal parking spot, at the top of their second driveway. “MOVE THE CAR.” It is a new parking spot for me and I like it. Being able to get home, no matter that it is a long distance, has been important for me – and I am grateful I did and I can.
MOVE THE CAR.
What does that really mean? It meant my Dad wanted it easier for me, wanted me in a safe landing spot, that I was welcomed and he wanted to know that I would be alright. He also wanted me to be done driving and safe. I could say the same about him. I wanted him to land in heaven safe, sound, whole, helped. I could say to many people: move your car and get up to see your loved ones and help them and you find closure, or move the car and stop blocking someone else to get a place where they find peace.
My Dad wanted me to be able to get home. I did.
Move the car, and get to where you need to go. Get to the doctors, dermatologists, specialists, diagnostic experts, cardiologists, you name it, and get treatments if needed for longer life.
Move the car and get to church to hear the healing Word and learn about your own way inside God’s Way. Talk to the people, fellowship, and find your peace.
Move the car and free up the connections for others to make their peace with you. Your forgiveness of them and theirs of you are paramount to everyone’s peace.
Move the car and serve.
All in all you will find that God already “moved the car” and has no blockage for you from reaching home. Jesus serves, we land in safety with Him. Welcome home.
I was glad my Dad was home on earth in his house and in his comfort even thru his suffering. I wanted my Dad to get Home, Heavenly Home, where Jesus had prepared a place for him, he did. Jesus prepares a place for each of us – not JUST for our comfort, but for His, and for His and our Father who wants us Home in Love.
Our Father wants us Home in due time, not a rush, He wants us to move and inspire the people who need Him and help others who don’t know Him. We are to share His Peace and Love with them so that they know He has secured their way and parking spot. His vehicle to Home is catching a ride with Jesus, He knows the Way, He IS the Way.
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Jesus showing John what His Love will do for us in His Revelation, in the eventual rolling out of the new Home for us with Him.
Welcome Home.
Jesus said: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Jesus the Way to the Father
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:1-7
Love these memories of remembering my dad – on the 2 year anniversary of his passing.
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I remind myself that the Holy Spirit is real. ACTUALY REAL. The Holy Spirit HIMSELF, of course, reminds me that He is real. We are blessed because the Holy Spirit “IS”- as in ‘I AM” – on the MOVE…
A BLESSING after my Dad’s passing has been spending time in this sweet crush of LOVE’S outpouring of support.
Love IS showing to be real right now. Love IS real. Love IS.
In between raindrops on Saturday morning I went to the packed Farmers Market. Here if you wait long enough the weather changes. The last few days it has flip flopped sun and showers. That is also how we often are with grieving. We have memories and moments back and forth of sorrow and joy – all to be weathered like weather. On this day, this moment, the blue flowers caught my eye, and I had 4 bucks leftover clenched in my fist – enough change to splurge after my happy purchase splurges of shelling peas, maple syrup popcorn, and real blackcaps – a side of the road delicacy of a variety with white stems unique to this area, different than those only a few hours south. These fruits from the first to last bites gave me equally sweet memories of my childhood.
Four bucks cash? Blue flower? Wouldn’t you know that it was 4 bucks. SOLD. I carried it back to the car and looked down at the tag quickly and saw the name was BLUE BIRD. Haha Lord!!! That’s the name of my Dad’s favorite bird. Of course you knew that, Lord. CUTE! It could have stopped me in my tracks – those God-sightings tend to do that – but this time, this moment, I didn’t stop walking because it is hard to stop and count the number of God sightings that I have had today, yesterday and every day. One could wonder that what we see everyday are “simply serendipity situations” or coincidences or real Holy Spirit movements. I also didn’t stop walking as I would never get anywhere, AND I had to get out of the rain back to the car, but we (especially I – really I) should stop and BE STILL and absorb what the Spirit is showing me (or trying to show me). The Spirit today IS telling me that He Himself IS taking care of my Dad. I believe it. I believe Him. I won’t multiple choose guess about God, I will say IN TRUTH that these good memories are God sightings and they ARE from Him.
The bluebird is my father’s favorite bird. I have a bluebird pin that sat on my dresser and that I wore as I was driving up to see him that morning that he passed. The previous visit, 2 weeks ago, I don’t know what possessed me to ask him what his favorite bird was, because I KNOW what his favorite bird is. The grimace on his face of “you’ve got to be kidding, asking me” told me LOTS, reinforced my knowledge that he was very well aware of everything going on. It reminded me that I needed to trust the Lord working out all things. I need to remember that I DON’T know all the inner workings of the Lord thru the Holy Spirit, but if the Lord takes care of the birds, therefore He was and is taking care of my Dad. The Lord was telling that His Spirit within my Dad was moving and working this whole time. The conversations that my Dad had with the Lord in my Dad’s final days must have been tremendous.
Bluebirds require special houses, so how much more does the Lord prepare a room for each of us in His house because of His LOVE. My Dad’s last words that I heard on the phone the day before he passed were “Thank you.” when I told him that I loved him and everyone was praying for him. His answer: “Thank you”. It IS and WAS and WILL BE, YOUR PRAYERS which ARE the Holy Spirit moving. It was because of YOU and the Spirit in you that helped carry my father thru. It is You Lord, where credit is ALL due.
I love the idea of the fun good “coincidental” things that happen in life, like the BLUEBIRD name of the flower. I love the nifty “coincidence” of a neighbor needing a ramp for a visiting relative coinciding with the dismantling of our ramp that my Dad now did not need. We love saying how serendipitous things fall into place, don’t we. For example my father’s assigned cemetery plot number matches my parents’ house number where they have lived for nearly 60 years. So MANY of those fun things abound. Of course we need to be careful, as what we see every day can be said to be “in the flesh” and not reliable. We must and BEWARE the things of evil to trip us up – BUT I am NOT going to solve that answer of coincidence serendipity and Spirit in a simple blog, how dare I. BUT, I will tell you where I KNOW the Holy Spirit has been working – in my faith of God in helping my Dad with his faith.
Those flowers, the bluebirds, and even worldly things, ARE worldly things. We must be careful to not read tea leaves when God Himself made and gave us His cup to be known. We also must fear the Lord and read Him. But as human as I am, asking for discernment, I am knowing that the Holy Spirit works all things for the glory of God, I put my confidence not in the flesh but in these connections that the Holy Spirit makes as answers of our prayers. If it brings us closer to God, I best say: It AIN’T serendipity if it really IS the Holy Spirit. (And honestly I would never ever bet on it, I would just believe.)
I believe in God being Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, so when we pray and ask specifically, He sends the Holy Spirit. I don’t have to tell you all my God-sightings or God winks to convince you that God is paying attention to us. I pray you already know His Holy Spirit is active in your life, and want to know Him more. I do know that His ability to send the Holy Spirit makes me sigh and smile.
The weather, and our sorrows and joys in life change. If you wait long enough, your view will change and with discernment you MIGHT see what the Holy Spirit was trying to show you all along: HIM. You don’t know how God makes and stores snowflakes, right? So honestly most of the time we have no clue how many times in life the Holy Spirit holds the glue. We have no clue, but the Holy Spirit is TRUE.
AMEN and Lord, I believe You are there always.
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Jesus said (in John 16:12-15):
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
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1 Corinthians 2:7-16 Paul speaking to the church:
…we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for,
“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
“We are passing through history…” “This IS history.” – a quote from the 1st Raiders of the Lost Ark movie.
Of course, in preparation for the newest and LAST “Raiders of the Lost Ark” with Indiana Jones, mmmm, love Harrison Ford of course, I watched the first, best, and ONLY good “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. 1981.
I couldn’t tell you anything else about the other Raiders movies in the series, except that they were awful in my memory, (jumped the shark!)… But the original? 1981? when I was eleven years old? WOW!!!! It was the finest action adventure era – a PREMIERE movie making time – for me as a pre-teen… I mean, I saw the first BEST “Star Wars” in the theater at age 7, just old enough, in the late 70’s. And this “Raiders of the Lost Ark” I was in the theater at age 11. WOW. Trust me it didn’t get any better than that. And trust me, all sequels tanked in my memory comparison but still probably raked in money. Case Closed. (But royalties are still rolling in because I just watched it on Disney Plus last night to refresh my memory.)
Case Closed in that movie: they CLOSED the storage box for the Ark of the Covenant and filed it away in top secret LOST-ness in the US government warehouse. Case Closed, they (our heros getting the Ark first so that the Nazi’s or their co-collaborators didn’t) had gained nothing but money from the government and gained no Ark for a museum piece as they had hoped. Government red tape and secrecy? Case Closed. AND all the villains died, MELTED in the movie scene of opening the Ark of the Covenant. Eww… No sequel for them! Case Closed. (maybe, depending on movie magic).
What about the big scenes of God’s intervention? *Trust me God is MUCH bigger than anything in the movies* Or of what they perceived as mystical other worldly powers inside the Ark? There are only a few scenes of lightning and thunder – and later the Nazi symbol was burned on the box in a mini scene showing its power to a mouse. Later when they actually went to open the ark, the lid blew up in an electrical explosion then BOOM it came right back down on the Ark, cool – and yet fitting. Casement Closed. (and Hey did you notice that the scene locale resembles a Star Wars canyon? Yes. Same place in Tunisia. Ah yes that’s all movie magic…
What about God Himself? Where did that Ark go? What did God do to it or in it after the Ark? What happened to the Law tablets captured in the Ark as broken tablet pieces? What even happened to the rituals and the Law? Let’s put the theoretical movie stuff aside. The Law continued and continues. Really, let’s snap to reality here, does God need the pieces to keep the Law? no. Does God need the pieces enough to keep the lid on them and lock them away? Hmm… Well, surely He had the people in Moses’s time make the Ark for their ability to find a travelling focal point of Sovereignty, to have the people understand that He was Sovereign ALL IN ALL. But God needs nothing but Himself to prove that point.
Sure, the ark could have gone to some secret location? Or in truth did God really reopen not the lid but the real case of FORGIVENESS-GIFTING with a NEW Covenant? Yes, God brought forth a New Covenant! A new creation? YES! A new that was old planned and that is still IN time to come! Yes! Yes, God gave Jesus. Jesus gave Himself as a New Covenant. The Law and Prophets fulfilled. Jesus saves. Case Closed. Even King Josiah putting Solomon’s Temple back in order was able to say ‘the burden of the Covenant is no longer on the shoulders’, physically, and we can say our burdens are placed on Jesus, not us, Thank You God.
“We are passing through history…” “This IS history.” – well the people of earth will pass through history and then be History if they don’t let history (His-Story) pass through them!
So of course, I’m going to see that new final movie in the series, at some point. But the best news I can give you for TODAY is the best rave review of TRUTH, better than any movie, better than any weekend anticipation… The GOOD NEWS is this: JESUS came to Save, and He did. Case Closed! (and he keeps our cases secured in His Hand.).
Amen – and go enjoy the weekend – maybe see the movie – and of course enjoy a freedom of the 4th of July – but always be carrying on (no burden needed) a life of serving the Lord, always.
2nd Chronicles 35:1-3 NKJV
Now Josiah kept a Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem, and they slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the first month. And he set the priests in their duties and encouraged them for the service of the house of the Lord. Then he said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to the Lord: “Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. It shall no longer be a burden on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and His people Israel.
(PS – how interesting/fitting that I will be prepping for a future VBS day that includes King Josiah – God’s timing is more amazing than movie magic! Amen Amen)
In an old blog, #638, I wrote about spitting out the apple, spitting out the knowledge gained by Eve and Adam, that God knew they didn’t need, and I ALSO really mean SPITTING OUT the desire to judge people and judge ourselves, like God judges. SPITTING OUT the desire to see our own faults flaws *and those in others*. SPITTING OUT the ability of feeling judged. Instead just FEEL LOVED. Instead just LOVE and be loved and let God handle the rest.
FEEL LOVED. Because you are.
To be the SPITTING IMAGE OF GOD – SPIT OUT THE APPLE !!!
Remember we became human dust crumbling when the apple was taken, and the bite was with teeth of human gain. We (humanity) didn’t need it, and we don’t need it now. We only did and do and will need God. God’s plan was and IS walking WITH us – us WITH Him. He receives this ability again by the trade, ransom, sacrifice of Jesus who came down to scoop us up.
Accept Jesus to scoop you up, strive for His Holy Spirit-gifted refillable Jesus Spirit in our hunger and thirst, in our words, in our deeds. Soothe in the Sacrifice. Spit out that apple, it became rotten. Spirit IN the LOVE. Soak in the Salvation, sweet and forever, gifted not stolen, Holy and true. Thank You, Jesus, for Your Redeeming LOVE.
Praise Him. Love instruction. Love God-correction. Accept Sacrifice too. Be His, He knows the Way.
“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me.“
Amen
—
Here’s a rewritten updated 638 post.
Our thirst for knowledge, of how we fit into life, is a default thirst – a result of Eve being tempted to bite that fruit. She was tempted to gain wisdom, to learn the difference between good and evil… Of course it seems that we want that too – but MORE IMPORTANTLY, we have to WANT TO SPIT OUT that desire of knowledge from our systems and simply trust that God will take care of us…
Let us drop our thirst for self-knowledge and drink in the thirst of how God’s plan works and how we fit… We only need to rely upon Him.
Let us spit out the forbidden fruit and instead drink in pure living water…
Pray that God is the apple in our eye… Long for Him… Smile…
God gave you a smile in His Image… Be Confident in God.
Amen
—
Psalm 50 NKJV – God the Righteous Judge – A Psalm of Asaph.
The Mighty One, God the Lord, has spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun to its going down. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth.
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, And to the earth, that He may judge His people: “Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.” Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge. Selah
“Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you;
I am God, your God! I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices Or your burnt offerings, Which are continually before Me. I will not take a bull from your house, Nor goats out of your folds. For every beast of the forest is Mine,and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.
“If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”
…
But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to declare My statutes,
Or take My covenant in your mouth, Seeing you hate instruction And cast My words behind you? When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have been a partaker with adulterers. You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, And set them in order before your eyes.
“Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces,
And there be none to deliver:
Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”
‐—–
Thank You Jesus for Your redeeming sacrifice on our behalf. I believe in You.
I did wake up in the middle of that big thunderstorm last night, BOOM BOOM BOOM. I got up to check the dripping, DRIP DRIP DRIP, conveniently right into the washer, haha, from my ongoing overhead leak… I removed the plastic from the A/C so not unexpected, rainy hot weather… Maybe I should just put a complete hole in the ceiling to fill the washer, LOL, but municipal water is cheap enough for laundry, and cleaner than rainwater plus roof crud. Crud Crud Crud, but purified thru my drywall roof, hmmm…
I’ll explain more about the roof later, but this IS a devotion about Jesus as Living Water, not rain water or roof overflow (cruddy). LIVING WATER, not purified water for drinking, because Jesus never sinned. Living Water, not stagnant water, because Jesus flows. Living Water not dead water, because with Jesus in us, LIFE GROWS.
Yes back to my leaking roof, well today IS the day of set up for construction science experiment phase #1- plugging a small shingle roof hole right over my washer! Well I never saw that before, geez… could it be the source? Experiment part one is gooey sealant injected in by a new to me friend and construction guy who is ALSO a pastor and church-planter… WOW, EXCITING! He said folks are surprised by his dual occupation but on the job site they start chatting about life and the Lord much of the day. He says what we all must know, folks these days don’t have a church background, never went to much Sunday school, don’t own a Bible.
Well, I’m going to be scientifically skeptical about this nail hole as sole hole, but it is worth patching, then see if rainwater down the A/C siding gaps (maybe) is next experiment… so, worth the hole experiment and he is going to re-caulk my window too. I might get the garden hose up there to test it later.
Well, as happy as I am about potential no DRIP, I am super excited about a NEW project too, he will cut a hole in my gutter so I can install a RAIN BARREL, WOOHOO. I have been dreaming of one for years. YEARS YEARS YEARS! I will create the rain barrel, I have the parts, but needed the expert to cut the metal… Fun! FUN FUN FUN! Feed the flow to the flowers!
So today, under the overhang, out of the rain, on the proposed barrel, I left this Pastor Patcher – or Patcher Pastor – many extra Bibles, if he needed for handing out to anyone. I said to the Pastor Patcher to “Keep the Flow flowing”… FLOW FLOW FLOW. They are wrapped in plastic against any rain, and the plastic I used said “purified water” – ha, that’s how God works to trigger my writing, it’s not like I can help DRIP DRIP DRIP of an idea on my brain, but up to me, up to us to collect these thoughts of God in our Living Water Barrels and redirect the water as Spirit out to others. FEED FEED FEED. It’s OK in our leaking lives to feed while being fed.
Jesus is Living Water, Loves to move! And He will find the tiniest of holes in you (cracks) to wash through the soul!
And WHAT DOES JESUS DO, in us? PLUGS THE ESCAPE HOLES IN YOUR SOUL, so that water keeps flowing in then gets directed out thru our cracks, purposefully, just because. Jesus NEVER will let us run dry. Jesus wants to rehydrate often, continually, forever. FLOWING FLOWING FLOWING.
Cool…
Well, I’ve dripped long enough here, time to hit send and let you go flow…
You know what is best? Go with the flow. Go FOR the flowing. Drink in the Living Water of Jesus. Soak it all in. Forgiveness Forgiveness Forgiveness. Forever Forever Forever.
AMEN!!!
—
John 4:10-12, 13-14
Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you LIVING WATER.” … Jesus said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a FOUNTAIN of WATER springing up into EVERLASTING LIFE.”
Although my recent dream seems to have fit that bill,it would be impossible for me to see or recreate any movie so elaborate, so I am not speaking about my dream. I am speaking about the BIBLE.
The most elaborate storyline…
The most interesting characters…
The most crucial message…
BRING EVERYTHING YOU DO BACK TO THE BIBLE.
Find it in the Bible.
A poem:
Process of the mind would really find
A storyline or equivalent time
That pertains not in rhythm and rhyme
But in action, in role models and in time.
The Bible, the Word of God is the message GOLDMINE.
.
If we don’t know the meaning of life,
and we all surely participate in the strife,
Reach not for the worldly interpretations to suffice,
But reach for the Book of Life.
.
In my travels yesterday, each day, surely today,
I find people have no idea that God made a Way.
People don’t have their Bible knowledge in play.
Let us do our jobs to help them fill in some of the gaps, today.
.
Let us teach the bible to fill in their personal narrative too.
Is any problem new?
Well take God’s view.
Problems are NOT new.
.
We have such a deep THIRST that only God could quench it.
Solutions practical and other worldly to dispatch it.
God’s Way will not just patch it.
God’s Peace could be our only match for it.
.
If God numbers the hairs on our head,
He knows our thought processes inside,
would all have a better ride,
If we studied Him and take His Way in stride.
.
So today I urge you,
Pick up a storyline that will nerve you,
Pick up a Bible message that will change you.
Be God’s LOVE AND let it rearrange you.
AMEN !!!
“Everybody loves the sound of a train in the distance, everybody thinks it’s true” was sung by Paul Simon. But the Bible messages are right here right close right now to be true. In my travels yesterday (without getting specific) I found myself once again in a sea of dedicated people attacking a problem, and realizing LOVE is the only answer. I found myself once again amongst dedicated people without direction, and realized God’s Word would steer their ship. I know for any people problem, only God knows how to solve it.
Let’s let God Work in our lives, He has already Won the war, so let’s always bring Him into the battle.
Double 4AM AMEN.
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.
Snippets from Proverbs 20 – New King James Version
*Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out.
*The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The Lord has made them both.
*Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.
“It is good for nothing,” cries the buyer; But when he has gone his way, then he boasts.
*There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
*Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
*An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning Will not be blessed at the end.
*A man’s steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?
*It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, and afterward to reconsider his vows.
*The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.
*The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head.
(A poem inspired by a bird in the church sanctuary yesterday (not my normal sanctuary but one of a friend’s) – and I thought of that bird off and on yesterday, thru the evening. I guess it’s like us remembering that God remembers us ALL the time. Let us pray for that bird to have gotten out.)
As a Bird
You may think it’s absurd,
That a simple bird,
is mentioned so much IN the Word.
.
But a lowly simple sparrow bird,
You’ve surely heard,
Is God’s blessed creature SECURED.
.
A BIRD,
Sings for God’s Creation unheard.
A BIRD,
Collects seeds and fruits superb.
A BIRD
Reminds us to look at our destiny SECURED.
.
God values us (you and me) SO MUCH MORE than a simple bird.
God loves us, surely you’ve heard.
Remember that each time you see a bird.
Amen
—
Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Psalm 104:27-34
All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.
May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works – he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.
“The Lord is my Engineer” – I love Paul Simon and LOVE that he was/is pondering the Lord in his newest album “The Seven Psalms”… it’s a whole 33 minutes with one piece of continuous songs – and guess what? Paul Simon woke up between 3 and 5 AM each morning to write down the lyrics… I get that… Paul woke up and had to write the dream down – later he got chords – later he got words… and when he started to add his own lines – the pathway went blank… He knew that he was into something bigger than him and yet he is a self-confessed grappler with questions…
I didn’t analyze all Paul’s lyrics in such detail – I simply like that he is pondering the flow and letting it flow – in his own way – I do believe God loves to have us with open ears and hearts to hear it and then to sort it all out… It is a philosophical album for us thinkers – it is a hopeful album – and personally I am in the camp to urge others to jump into God’s arms with no abandon. (I do remember a lyricist (Michael Card) once say: “Stop your pondering and fall on your knees”…)… Personally I do hope all keep pondering until they see the Light.
Paul lost his hearing in his one ear in this time – had to deal with anger – and had to refocus and accept the hearing loss as a gift of an experience. He says that he can’t play live anymore. I am grateful I saw him on his last tour – saw/listened in Madison Square Garden – amazing.
I like “Dip your hands in Heaven’s Water… God’s Imagination…” And I like “In my professional opinion”… I just like to hear his fingers strum his guitar and I like to hear the strange chords – I like to hear that he is still creative and pensive and expressive – not that I wouldn’t expect that at age 81 – but still it is a good reminder that we all have the opportunity to grow old with the Lord or turn our backs on Him – I pray that we all don’t… Paul sings: “So all rise to the occasion – Or all sink into despair – In my professional opinion – We’re better off not going there”…
I am glad that Paul Simon is still thinking about God – and still thinking about Life – and still thinking about expressing life in life… He doesn’t end the album with a song about death but it is about “wait” – waiting – maybe we begin again… Paul says his songs often allow the listener to complete the interpretation – “the listener completes the song.”
Thanks Lord for our ability to ponder and pray – to have solace and stay – to know and know. That’s what makes me grateful, You Lord love for us to grow. I thank You Lord for Paul Simon – he has made my life more lyrical and he often provided a tune to my “tune-in” to life.
Amen
Pauls sings:
“The sacred harp – That David played to make his – Songs of praise – We long to hear those strings – That set his heart ablaze”
The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.
If you depend on God, you walk a little more surely through this world, NOT IN IT BUT THROUGH IT.
In times of nervousness, reliance on God gives peace. We best try drinking the cup God is pouring – one of peace.
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.
To trust God, this peace of God permeates more than anything else, tells us not to worry about tomorrow. Peace in action and action for peace. We are to be about God’s Business FIRST – Love, Mercy, Forgiveness, Hope, Help, PRAISE and Prayer.
Best Practice is Prayer.
Best Prayer is PRAISE.
Best Praise is Peace.
Best Peace is Practiced.
.
PRAISE, Pause, Pray, Practice Peace
.
Here are some of the Proverbs for helping TAKE PAUSE, tell PRAISE and feel PEACE:
Proverbs 19 – New King James Version
The Fear of the Lord Leads to Life
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet.
The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the Lord.
Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend.
A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape.
Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.
A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish.
Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule over princes.
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.
The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.
A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers. But a prudent wife is from the Lord.
Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.
He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die.
He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given.
Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.
A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.
There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.
What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.
The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.
A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.
* A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.“
Tis the season for things to be in season… I missed strawberry season but i’m planning to travel north soon and pick up strawberries there. Down here it started blueberry season and peach season and cherry season all at once… I think it’s early but I don’t mind – all these juicy treats yum yum yum! I love summer and summer treats and the heat and the sun and the fun.
The cherries are juicy yum and just after buying some myself, two friends independently gave me cherries they picked… It’s like God giving us advice again and again and again. God’s advice is juicy advice and we really should heed it. The juiciest of advice is that when we listen to God’s advice, we are less and less inclined to listen to foolish advice, less and less to desire gossip, less and less desiring to say more and more.
Here are a few more favorite proverbs from chapters seventeen and eighteen:
* Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
* Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?
* Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
* A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
* A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
* Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.
* Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
* The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
* The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
* The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
* The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
*The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
* From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
* The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
You know when you hear a phrase twice in 2 days it is interesting – but three times? Then you know something is up with the Lord telling you something – but then four times? Well, pick up your keyboard and start writing – that is what I hear the Lord saying to me – then and now!!! Heard that phrase 4 times in 2 days, I am not kidding. I best write about it!
“A Slap in the Face” – which is adding insult to injury – you can feel pain both ways – now you can grumble or you can do what Jesus said: turn the other cheek – which of course also turns your eyes away from the one slapping you.
4th instance (today) I heard this phrase in the title of the sermon as a podcast – about Jesus receiving a slap in the face during questioning after His arrest. Jesus said “I have spoken openly to the world… I said nothing in secret.” And one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” (Jesus was an innocent man and He DID speak the truth, only others couldn’t always understand. )
3rd instance (today) – it was in the newspaper – printed in April or so – a local town newspaper that has been around my house waiting for me to read – the article on zoning changes – someone described them as a slap in the face. Hmmm… (That’s a personal decision to take things personally. )
2nd instance (yesterday) – someone at a work meeting described the extra work they had to do when people weren’t cleaning up after themselves – that was like a slap in the face … Hmmm… (I told him to not take it personally.)
1st instance (yesterday) I heard this phrase 1st as actually Jesus saying it Himself in “The Jesus Film” – from a 3 minute preview clip (JesusGiftCard.org) that a friend sent – it is a good snippet of the film and full of Jesus’s teachings. With Jesus teaching “turn the other cheek” – yes that is easier said than done – but for Jesus it was a Way of life – it requires us to stand in Jesus strength – and it means we CAN do this because He took the worst slap in the face for us – we can give our cheeks because He gave His Life.
What about slaps in the face (or perceived slaps in the face) being personal? Well we decide to accept that or not. We can’t prevent the slap but we can prevent the insult from sinking in. Jesus gave of His whole earthly body to absorb the blows, we can pull in His Heavenly Spirit and His indwelling Spirit to strengthen our jars of clay, to walk away, to live for another day.
What do I personally do that is a slap in the face to the Lord? And does He take it personally? Well, me not turning my face to offer the other cheek becomes resentment and therefore Jesus steps in to cleanse me and take the slap. Me not giving God credit where credit is due, that’s a slap in the face by my misguidedness – Jesus takes that silently but sometimes I hear the earth shaking and darkness falling from my failing.
Jesus does not resist taking the slap because He sees the war with evil, not with us. Jesus already Won the war, He’s still in all these battles for us now because we sometimes forget to let Him win our circumstances too.
Best to hear Jesus says this directly, Matthew 5:38-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Amen Jesus, You make us perfect. Amen Jesus,You give us strength. Amen Jesus, thank You for Your Love.
The Lord is multi-facetted fascinating – His Timing and His Word and His Intentions all add up to AMAZING. There is nothing better/interesting than appreciating that the Lord knows best. We must appreciate the Lord’s timing – which isn’t ours – and we must appreciate the Lord’s advice.
In the Proverbs – as written down by Solomon and others – the Lord doesn’t say “I told you so” – but instead it is like He says: ‘I told you ahead of time’ – or – ‘I’m telling you so you understand people are people’ – probably to get us to toughen up and to have needed understanding that we are all broken people and crucially advice to protect our hearts… Often these proverbs remind us to be happier with less than be upset with everything. We could always appreciate a little with joy than setting our hopes too high. Appreciate life with no expectations rather than be greedy with too many expectations.
My favorite when the tough gets going is: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” And how about these sayings when you want to get revenge – well don’t and just let the Lord handle it:The Lord works out everything to its proper end – even the wicked for a day of disaster. ANDThe Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Yes – let the Lord handle it.
Some Proverbs are like the Lord’s “one-liners” – some funny and some harsh – either way they are just as pertinent today as they were when the Lord knew we would need this advice – before we (and the universe) were even born. Yes – these sometimes zingers can be spicy – and sometimes simply good advice – the Lord’s advice – we should heed. Remember: Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. AND Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Read ’em and steep – meaning let them sink into your perspective on life. Below are only 2 sets of the 27 sets, all the Lord speaking!!! Remember: “The soothing tongue is a tree of life.” Yes, let the Lord’s tongue of knowledge soothe your ears or put fire under your feet!!!
Amen and please keep reading:
Proverbs 15
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.
The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.
Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord— how much more do human hearts!
Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.
Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!
The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.
The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.
The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.
Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 16
To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
The Lord works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster.
The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice.
Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making.
Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.
Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.
A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it.
When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!
The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.
Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.
The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.
A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good.
Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.
The Wise Woman fears the Lord.
The Wise Woman builds.
The Wise Woman secures.
The Wise Woman waits.
The Wise Woman prays.
The Wise Woman listens.
The Wise Woman sighs.
The Wise Woman slows.
The Wise Woman knows.
The Wise Woman trusts.
The Wise Woman studies.
The Wise Woman witnesses.
The Wise Woman waits.
The Wise Woman secures.
The Wise Woman builds.
The Wise Woman fears the Lord.
Amen
and a wise woman writes and reads the Proverbs while waiting on a delayed train… and a wise woman trusts the Lord – especially with her children – more and more…
Proverbs 14
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.
An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.
The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.
The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief.
The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.
The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.
The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.
The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.
It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
Do not those who plot evil go astray But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.
A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.
Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.
A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.
—
Proverbs 13
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.
Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
“Don’t eat clown fish, they taste funny”… That was a classic joke on a poster at the Coney Island “Mermaid Parade” by a guy in a hat with a group who dressed like Nemo from the movie. You could say that was a “dad joke” – the term for silly jokes these days…
I really really enjoyed my trip yesterday, a fabulous day in lower Manhattan, with a great friend. The day had GREAT weather, 70 in daytime, light jacket at night walking around World Trade Center. Yes, our mission: meet up with another friend and head to Coney Island for the “Mermaid Parade”, and to see the sights. Got to ride the giant Wonder Wheel Ferris Wheel, which was high priority on my bucket list, watched the 3 hour parade (crazy parade fun and full – 3 hours!), and had delicious ice cream Gelato, coconut cream plus cookie monster, on the boardwalk after, yum! I am OK with crowds when you don’t have to go anywhere and have all you need.
The people (and I) LOVED the parade, the atmosphere, the LOVE… People watching at its finest and fun-est. The crowd people cheered and NYC brave police officers were so friendly and kept calm with a mutual appreciation of a day of fun. The costumed people like me were having extra fun – I got in lots of pics even on the subway just because of my jellyfish hat and matching dress, which I already owned in my wardrobe, got that hat years ago. The lace tentacles were useful to tie it and keep it from blowing off in the wind – and CRUCIALLY it gave me shade for the parade.
What a parade! GOOFY!!! YES, a few seashell and conkshell wardrobe malfunctions (most purposefully planned – haha). Beach attire and costumes for all shapes and sizes, no need to hide your eyes, many wardrobes held no surprise! But yeah, FUN! FUN FUN FUN.
We took the subways up and down, crowded but expected, can’t beat the price and convienience. ONE of the best things my Dad (and Mom) taught me how to do in life, demonstrating this themselves, was how to talk to strangers – with open friendliness – with caring and help – with joy. You don’t have to give out your address or bank account numbers, but you can talk about the flavors of ice cream you love – or the types of dogs you enjoy – or the antics of your kids – or whatever… Yeah – pass the time in a fabulous way… We are all but traveling in this world, so make sure to pack and unpack JOY. My life has experienced helpfulness from others, especially directions on maps this weekend, so whom am I not to share, especially share JOY, share a SMILE and share a dime sometimes. My life has been blessed by God to keep going strong, so whom am I not to share His strength and fruit of the Spirit, even if sometimes it’s a polite smile and a shaking of the head “NO” to others, like those who wanted a signature to protest something, or some loose change after you gave it all out.
My Dad had a great saying about work and business: “be good to the people as you climb up in this world because you never know who you are going to meet if you fall back down” – and he always said: you can appreciate someone who knows how to sit down and have a cup of coffee with you and to just chat – someone who takes the time to chat.
I learned from my Dad to treat everyone nicely and with respect – I don’t care if someone said to me; “well, then you could get taken advantage of” – well sure, of course, you have to be careful not to get caught up in too much – not to overcommit – not to rob Peter to pay Paul in life. But in all circumstances you can mentally say and pray: “how can I help?” even if it is sometimes to just be quiet… Don’t be afraid to be burned – put on sunscreen and a hat for life – put on armor of God for your heart and get back out there in life. Best to wear and rock a funny hat when called upon! Better to smile and wave and walk away when you have to.
“Don’t eat clown fish, they taste funny”… yup! We are to taste the goodness of life and walk away from some of the fluff, from much of the strife. We can embrace life and make it just a little better – and HAVE FUN. But yes put on your funny hat, life is too short not to – it will scare a smile out of the most staunch grump. Yes, share a safe dime, or something extra you can live without. ESPECIALLY share a smile and open chatter – because friendliness does matter. People are People, you too.
My Father’s Day JOY is that I had Dad (and now have my Dad in Heaven) who taught me to care about others, which of course is sharing the Love shared by all our BIG Dad, Abba Father God, remembering His commandment to LOVE ALL.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there and dad-figures too.
Amen to fun and life and love.
Yes Talk to Strangers – they are all God’s Children. But Don’t eat the clown fish…
—-
PS: yes I made it back to sleep and get to church in the park this morning where I was able to share this prayer:
Lord, You are our Father, Creator, Maker, Savior, Mercy-giver, Life-Satisfier, Hope, Master, Freedom-giver, and Motivator. You have built Your Kingdom and House lovingly for You want to create forever time to spend with us. Thank You. You say the ‘house of the righteous contains great treasure’, ẅell Lord, living in Your righteousness we will not only survive, in Your kindness we THRIVE.
We witness Your sacrifice Jesus, redeeming us through Your Blood. Keep us tightly focused on watching You, living like You. You shared the most important Family value of FORGIVENESS to us and all – and You remind us to share it in this broken world. Your Redemptive Love is the most powerful force of all. Because we are Your sons and daughters, You sent the Spirit of Jesus into our hearts, and He IS the Spirit in us who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Thank You for Your safety zone.
We also PRAISE our earthly fathers, grandfathers, uncles and father figures for modeling YOUR love to us, giving us a start, holding us close to their hearts like You do Lord. Thank you Lord for their love and care, and faithfulness. Keep the fathers and father-figures of today strong for their own children and for themselves. We love them. We love You, Lord.
YES! Christmas the Crab has re-emerged from well over a month of hiding underneath the surface under his hut – seems like FOREVER, but he emerged today!!!
A Poem of Patience:
Let’s take a stab,
At being patient like this crab.
.
Let’s not get riled,
When “our way” seems defiled.
Let’s look only one day, one step ahead.
Do not consider life as a long journey to dread.
.
Life really is a GREAT BIG STROLL,
In a HUGE earthly bowl.
So you BEST start,
With guarding your heart.
.
Or like the crab,
Simply take a stab,
Live life one day at a time,
Don’t overthink reasons or rhyme.
.
“Live and let live” is fine.
But “Live and HELP Live” is DIVINE.
We all are traveling thru life,
Be kind and minimize all strife.
.
Shake off the small stuff,
Ignore time-wasting fluff.
Live life as if sour is sweet,
Live life with an servant attitude that won’t be beat.
.
Remember this little crab,
Life steps, he ALWAYS takes a stab.
Molted and rested, in safe space,
NEW LIFE he is NOW ready to EMBRACE.
.
So take a step out today,
Live life in a crab (but not crabby) way.
.
Patiently DON’T worry, just PRAY.
Walk with the Lord every step of the Way.
TODAY, like a crab, embrace TODAY.
Rest, emerge, and have a GOOD DAY.
.
Amen
—
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Paul to the Philippians 4:6-7
God said it! Not me! The Word ‘Stupid’! Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid. Well, I love God’s correction on me, even if painful. And I love how God reminds us to not worry about earthly things, trying to be with the ‘in crowd’ – or proclaim foolishness.
It’s like classic advice, don’t get pulled offside in football or in life. Don’t let a gossip pull you down that path to gossip too. Don’t envy (a commandment) because you end up envying the wrong stuff and the wrong people.
Proverbs 12 – read ’em and let them steep! A cup of tea and bread for life toast. God could give it a dark roast. Proverbs in all – God corrects and gives advice most. In God’s Wisdom ONLY, I boast..
Amen and please read:
Proverbs 12 New KJV – The House of the Righteous Shall Stand
Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.
.
A good man obtains favor from the Lord, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.
A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.
.
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
.
The thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
.
The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
.
The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.
.
A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.
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Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.
.
A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
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He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.
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The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
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The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble.
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A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.
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The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.
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A fool’s wrath is known at once,But a prudent man covers shame.
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He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.
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There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
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The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
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Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.
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No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
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Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
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A prudent man conceals knowledge,But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
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The hand of the diligent will rule,But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
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Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.
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The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.
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The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.
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In the way of righteousness is life,And in its pathway there is no death.
Some people want to know what I have learned in life. Well, nothing is more valuable than what you learn yourself and some stuff you have to learn the hard way – you do. and some stuff you could learn the easy way because you have seen the hard way… … It is better to Listen than Spew, and Spew only to a few… We see some people who live in duplicity – watch out for them. We know some people who would put you down to raise themselves up – they only do themselves a disservice, so don’t stoop to their level. and sometimes you learn stuff in life which is downright UGH… UG puts the UGLY in UGLY. . Gratefully God keeps reminding us to look above and do Godly Things here on earth because He Would. He Did. He Does.
Proverbs 11 is good to spell out things I have learned in life – about people – about ugh-ness – about sometimes the best advice we can give others is to keep our mouths shut. If we are not happy about the people and their seemingly earthly ways getting them ahead – remember the last line about our treasures in Heaven not here: If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
Minds Open. Mouths Shut. Let God get the Last Word.
Here is Proverbs 11 for good life lessons:
The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.
Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of[a] their power comes to nothing.
The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.
With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.
When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.
Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.
A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.
The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.
Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.
If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
I’ve seen some interesting things in life – we all have – I certainly had to pick my battles – walking away is not defeat but putting off exacting human revenge to let things fade behind God’s Glory. How important to hand these struggles to the Lord, roll things off our backs. We may sometimes be seen as foolish but that is often being prudent. God has bigger fish for us to fry. Keep going to fight not another day but another Way. Let the Lord fight and win, for Eternity is better than band-aids on today’s world no matter how painful. That’s not payback, it’s forward fighting. We will get paid – wages from not even working – because we get LIFE. The righteous stand firm forever.
Yes, we do and will see fools in folly begin to fail. We will see punishment, like in Proverbs 10, go into motion – and we ALL will see this clearly at Judgment Day, God wiping away the wicked and righteousness standing firm… and yet let us not “gloat in the boat” of righteousness. God has no pleasure in losing souls, no pleasure in punishment. God’s loss is at greatest cost. We must have mercy as God has mercy. Let’s pray for those who miss the boat.
When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.
Proverbs 10 is real stuff, not just cup of coffee mug stickers, not bumper stickers, not t-shirt sayings. But these proverbs are about fools and should become our prayers against becoming one ourselves (us and others). And the praises of the righteous should be acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty and MAJESTY. From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom.
Proverbs 10 is lots of sayings about people – TO PRAY ON, TO LIVE IN, TO LOVE FROM. The Word is Wisdom for Life.
The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
We don’t get to pick some things in life. WE DON’T. Let’s make the best of it. Work around it. Work for the betterment of all. DON’T HARDEN YOUR HEARTS in crushing circumstances BUT GUARD THEM. The Armor of God is strong and we must be strong to don it. The Word of God is powerful and we must be strong to speak it. The Fear of God is worth it and we must be strong to accept it. Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
We need correction at times because we don’t have the whole story. We need quieting at times to watch the Lord work things out. Sometimes we take correction not just because we are wrong (yet sometimes we really ARE), but we take correction because others are watching to see what we do. Perhaps living the best in the moment means forgiveness, rolling it off your back. Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. If we live another day in a prudent Way, then we will see a new perspective when earthly life gets best-ed by Forever Life.
It IS a blessing to be “saints becoming, one and all” as a dear pastor friend says. It is a blessing to be counted and covered and constructed in Jesus’s Righteousness. Let us be thankful if/when we have SEEN THE LIGHT and gotten the LIFT, because not all will. Jesus is our sin Savior, and our Righteousness Giver, we can turn the other cheek and keep praying for all.
Pearls of wisdom are a blessing.
Amen
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PROVERBS 10 – The proverbs of Solomon:
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.
The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.
He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.
The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.
The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.
Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.
Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.
A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
What the wicked dread will overtake them; what the righteous desire will be granted.
When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.
As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them.
The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.
From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced.
The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
Genesis 50:15-21 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father Jacob was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
I was chatting with one of my friends and I don’t remember the original topic – but it was something bad that happened – BUT something really good came out of the situation – and I said something like :”Wow – that is just like I was reading about Joseph and his brothers – you know Joseph and the dreamcoat – son of Jacob – and how the brothers abandoned him in a well and he got taken to Egypt and he ended up rescuing everyone from a famine – and forgave his brothers” – I got that blank stare…
But I continued – “you know Joseph – Donny Osmond and ‘The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ ” – well no – she knew Donny but didn’t know that role… I can even see Donny Osmond spinning in some video promo of the old show – surely one would remember Joseph from Donny Osmond??? No of course not, not everyone has the same experiences or captures the same snippets in their head – and that is OK – I don’t remember even a fraction of what I have learned recently – they say we only retain 10% if that – well it’s OK – let me try to recount this amazing story of Joseph which relates to us today!!!
People (of a certain generation) do remember Moses from the 1956 Charlton Heston portrayal – shown each year on TV (really long with lots of commercial breaks) – shown at Easter time – which has nothing to do with the Easter timeline when Jesus was crucified – well yes it really does relate to Easter A LOT – but is a totally different timeframe… ANYWAY – it does get confusing with all the names and times – – well I remember these people alphabetically as well – After Adam and Noah – then restart a few of the big names in alphabetical order: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph (and Judah), Moses etc…
Anyway – “No” – my friend smiled and said “the only Joseph I know is Mary and Joseph” – and I can’t blame her – people are not normally digging into biblical history – I actually didn’t know Joseph’s story either until a few years ago – except I can visualize both Donny Osmond spinning and also a production of my catholic church’s 1970’s version with a hippie theatrical priest and some colorful dreamcoat for Joseph.
Ah well some of us DO remember what color Donny Osmond’s socks were for his ‘80’s show – PURPLE – and even if we did remember the technicolor dreamcoat, turns out a pastor friend said the translations said it was an impressive coat but not necessarily technicolor – it probably simply had big sleeves – and it wasn’t even a big part of Joseph’s story except it is one more identifying feature to help us remember Joseph. SO let’s get more into the real story.
We do relate with stories of people – which is part of the way we remember – How about that great movie Moses (I mean scriptures about Moses?) Moses was doing what? He led people through the parted Red Sea – yes to help the Israelites who were slaves of Pharaoh – “Let my people go!” – Moses had to take the “Israelites” out of Egypt – remember the wandering in the dessert – that was like 2/3 thru the movie – but wait – how did they get to Egypt in the first place? – Ohhhh, they got to Egypt because of Joseph – son of Jacob… Joseph got there from his brothers – even if they did bad things to Joseph.
Yes, SO, who is Joseph and why the coat? Well, the fancy ornate coat was a gift from his father – Jacob – because Jacob loved his son so much… I started to teach my friend about Jacob too – some of the things I have learned over the years – “remember Jacob had tricked his brother Esau and even put fuzzy skins on his arm to trick his aged father Isaac into thinking he was first born and got the inheritance?” My friend said: “He put fuzzy stuff on his arm?” I can see my friend’s face – and isn’t that how we pick up on some things – learning bits and pieces that stick to our heads as unique… Yes – God’s people then were unique and we are unique with our own stories today – Jacob tried to trick his father (and Jacob later got tricked by his father in law – but that’s a whole other story!).
Jacob was whom directly wrestled with God (and heard from Him) – wow – now my friend started to really be interested in this story! wrestled with God!!! YES – did you know that there were LOTS of people who wrestled with God like us – people whom God put into our history – people like Jacob who both mentally wrestled and physically wrestled with a man – who got a little beat – and then Jacob called out for a blessing – a gift – even to state that he won – and God touched his hip – and also said: *** from now own you will be called Israel – which means ‘wrestled with God’ – and that the whole of Israel will come from you – and salvation to your people – the people of Abraham, and of Isaac, your fathers – will come from your line… WOW! What a blessing for this Jacob – and what a blessing to speak to God, let alone have God speak back.
I myself have wrestled with God – maybe you too – and just like God gave me grace for not knowing even Him fully – which I humbly accept that He awoke me to learn more and more – Jacob did not see God until he was fully revealed to him after that wrestling – and I bet each time he felt that pain in the hip He remembered God physically and talked to God to praise Him before the other hip went out…
Early on we learn that Joseph could interpret dreams – his own and his families and others – he realized that God was actually sending/interpreting these dreams and telling the future of what would happen. It is not a surprise that Joseph respected God because his father respected God – or learned to respect him – Well the fancy coat didn’t help him interpret dreams – even if it was a fancy coat – but it did stir up jealousy between his brothers – and later we learn these 12 sons of Jacob become the 12 tribes of Israel – oldest to youngest: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph (which was split between his 2 sons) and Benjamin. These youngest 2 sons were treasured as their mother was Rachael – Jacob’s true love after being force to marry her sister – Jacob was forced to wait to marry Rachael – and so the last 2 sons Joseph and Benjamin were very precious to Jacob – born to him in his old age.
Scripture says: When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than the rest, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? rule us?” And hated him all the more, because of his dream. THEY PLOTTED TO KILL HIM.
“Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.” When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.
So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it. They sat down to eat a meal, looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites (a whole other line of descendants) – these were merchants – camels loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the [merchants] and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed. So when the merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
Well, Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. He went back to his brothers – Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. They took the ornate robe back to their father and said, “We found this. – Jacob recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.” Then Jacob wept for him.
Meanwhile, the [merchants] sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, captain of the guard. Joseph was now in Egypt.
But The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted everything he owned to his care. – the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph.
THEN — a disagreement occurred with Potiphar’s wife – which we won’t read today – but it even involves another cloak/coat of Joseph – and let’s just say Joseph was wrongly accused of a crime and put into prison – (It’s a whole other story…).
Scripture says: But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
And Joseph continued to have the gift from God to interpret dreams – a cupholder and another (who served the Egyptian Pharaoh of the time) were put in prison and had dreams – and Joseph interpreted them – the cupholder was to return to Pharaoh and so Joseph asked the cupholder to plead his case for his release but the cupholder forgot – for 2 years or more he forgot – then Pharaoh himself had a dream – and that is when the cupholder remembered Joseph and they brought him out of prison – cleaned him up – and then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said that you can.”
“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” JOSEPH ALWAYS POINTED TO GOD !!!!
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows came up—scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. 20 The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up. “In my dream I saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads sprouted—withered and thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but none of them could explain it to me.”
Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. The seven lean, ugly cows and the seven worthless heads of grain: They are seven years of famine.
God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine will be so severe. So now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. – collect all the food of these good years – and store up the grain, to be kept in the cities This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”
The plan seemed so good to Pharaoh and to all his officials that Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”
AMAZING – And guess what – Joseph as discerning as God made him – stockpiled seven years of abundance before seven years of drought – then Joseph opened the storehouses and sold the grain in Egypt. Word got out, way up north of egypt that egypt had grain – told to Jacob (Joseph’s father who thought he was dead) – and didn’t Jacob send some of those brothers of Joseph down to buy grain… (except not youngest brother Benjamin whom they wanted their father to not be separated from).
They had to bow down to Joseph as a powerful ruler over them in their famine – JUST LIKE JOSEPH’S EARLY DREAM HAD PREDICTED – except these brothers did not recognize Joseph and wow Joseph’s heart skipped more than one beat – wow Joseph could hardly contain himself but he did – and he devised an unique way to test and question these brothers – and to both give them grain to eat and to get to see his beloved brother Benjamin – and eventually to see his father Jacob…
WOW – Joseph went from hated to VERY needed – could Joseph have refused his brothers? does bitterness help any situation? No – forgiveness is powerful. Forgiveness is MORE powerful than evil.
What an interesting tale there is of how Joseph got the brothers to bring down Benjamin and then their father – Jacob did not want Benjamin to go – and Judah – another son of Jacob who originally hated Joseph and cast him away became in a redemptive position by offering now to give up his own life just so that his youngest brother Benjamin wouldn’t be separated from their father. Remember Judah – remember that Judah was the tribe that settled in the land called Judah – from which Jesus was placed to be born – remember “what good can come out of Judah?” well – a Savior – God’s plan… (what comes out our our brokenness, like Judah’s broken repentances? Jesus…)…
Remember the scripture read at the beginning: “what if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” So they said: “please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. – Joseph wept and those tears were surely years of tears.
His brothers threw themselves down before him, saying: “We are your slaves,” But Joseph said, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Joseph and his brothers and their families – the tribes of Israel – flourished and multiplied – things didn’t stay good in Egypt and just a few generations down they needed Moses to get them out of Egypt from a later Pharaoh who knew nothing about Joseph and of the strength of God…but that worked out too… (we saw the end of that movie!).
We don’t hardly ever know how God works things out for us – but He does – And He does it in HIS way- not our way – God’s Way is higher than our way.
Here is a “simple-clear” example: my friend – did some major damage to her arm – or was in an accident – I don’t remember all the details – but I remember her working thru physical therapy and strengthening – strengthen thru trials…. Well she, a good God-fearing woman, she strengthened… It wasn’t until she had a serious car crash a few months later and broke/damaged her legs/knees/you name it – that she realized how USEFUL these now strong arms were – to lift her body when her legs didn’t work – she had a long recovery but thanked God for the previous trial to bring her to the ability to help herself recover for this worst thing. She trusted God – it was not a fun thing to be injured – but she trusted God and lived her life in that way.
And remember – we may not see this recovery – this mercy and repair – until we get to Heaven – we may not realize this complete recovery until we get in the Lord’s House forever – not ours now. We need to look BIG PICTURE and see that our trials and our thorns are avenues to trust God. We must forgive to be forgiven – I keep reminding myself of that too.
How painful it was for Joseph to have to hide his identity from his brothers until the time it was best to reveal it – how relieved he was to both see his brothers again – and especially his father. Joseph was able to see big picture and FORGIVE his brothers – God brought so much good out of it – and isn’t that Jesus’s story too – Jesus actually incorporated that rebellious human nature into His story –takes misguided folks – broken people – healing souls – and God brings us into His Kingdom, as Jesus as our Lord of Lords – all while being the servant.
Just like Jacob told his sons about his encounters with God and Joseph told MANY how God wanted to help – How do we speak about God? Do we tell people how He calms us (He surely does) – do we speak about prayer and blessings (not just luck)? Do we speak of God’s faithfulness? Of our trust? Of knowing He intervenes, He heals, and He keeps us calm especially because we know the “Rest of the Story ” ?
Faithful God holds us even stronger than we can hold onto Him. He gives us strong faith. He made us His favorite sons and daughters. Jesus wrote down this “backstory” because the Word is Himself –The Word was with God and is God. We know Jesus wants us to know and tell all stories about forgiveness. It Is IN His Blood.
It’s in His Blood.
Let us pray: Lord, You tell us these real stories, so we learn how others had faith and tolerated the bad times, and how You Lord got them out of a jam, or how You Lord are Majestic. Following You is the best plan !!!! We know God, You are faithful to us, we give testimony to Your Greatness – not boasting about our achievements or sensationalize our failures, but simply state YOU LORD are faithful, You God forgive, You Lord gives us hope and a light to follow. Let us keep talking about faith, because of Joseph we learn to look into the blessings over the trials.
Amen
People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell. Proverbs 11
Wisdom tells me that I can not walk alone through this life. Wisdom tells me that God’s been trying to tell us that forever. Why wouldn’t we WANT to walk with a God Who WANTS to walk with us? That’s an AMAZING aspect of life: God WANTS not only to HELP but to HEAL.
Please accept God’s Healing, even if you know it won’t come completely until Heaven. Accept the invitation first, wait and walk with Him to that destination, speaking of it all the Way.
Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.
Insight is not that God will wipe away mockers, but that He can build you up BIGGER, as in STRONGER, than they can tear you down.
Instruct the wise – by being wise yourself, setting a good example of listening to God, loving to even pain, moving forward in mud. Wash Clean in Living Water Ways. Be above the fray and the wise and the mockers alike will see you better, but don’t get clean to mock others. Accept it humbly. Don’t mock back at the mockers because that’s stooping down to their level. God has taught us to take the High Road.
If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you – that’s not in putting down others but rising up to move ahead.
Know your audience! Watchers are waiting for wisdom, wisdom can bolster near missteps back onto the good road.
Don’t mock the mocker because it becomes unwise. The sideshow will distract. “Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you”…
Show others Whom you follow, the Lord, by Grace, Forgiveness, Compassion, and Insight and it stuns others… If you see others going down folly’s road, rebuke them, bring them the reminder to focus above… rebuke the wise and they will love you.
God’s Love will always Win because it already Won.
Be Wise and remember He Won.
Amen
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Proverbs 9
Invitations of Wisdom and Folly
Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
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To those who have no sense she says, “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”
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Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.
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Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
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Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way, “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.
You may have thought that sun was the strawberry moon, red and able to see without protection for your eyes, but that was the sun behind all the smog, smoke blanketing the east coast from Canadian wildfires. WOW! I’ve never seen it so SMOKY, I think we forgot the days will come again to be crystal clear. We are in an apocalypse-fearing mode, and yet the smoke kinda smells good! Well, it didn’t deter the ice cream seekers like me and my work, enjoying the free ice cream truck, first time this summer each month. This is a perk which melts hearts faster than the ice cream. People love the ice cream truck! I got a Twix bar! I saw a friend with a Snickers smile – it really satisfied – the ice cream candy bar and the smile!
I love my ability to be goofy and take photos – but I am genuinely HAPPY to see people HAPPY. Simultaneously this day, I had the tremendous opportunity and pleasure again to meet one of our big bosses at work. She moved up the ranks and was seated at our site previously, so I’ve known her quite a while. She’s big business, very serious, but I know everyone appreciates appreciation. It might be intimidating for others to have her visit, but I got a big hug! I also got to take the photos! and I swooped in after my work-brother’s presentation in front of a department “work in progress” board – to get a great photo of smiles and getting a birthday handshake.
I like God’s timing. I just look for “photos ops”.
Let’s think about that sunshine in the smoke and dust, that sun is still shining. We may be waiting for the dust to clear, but remember ABOVE the dust is an unchanged sun. Ah… yes, remember always that above the fray of earthly life is the unchanged God. Remember our circumstances change, the crazy hardships and joyous moments are earthly and temporary – and God’s got eternity set for us above the fray. We must believe and focus THERE while acting HERE. The manager makes the weather, well God is the Owner and He made the earth, we are the managers of the earth, from Adam on… So, will we hide from understanding God, or embrace what we know and still share His Love? Keep Smiling!
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:2-10
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
A friend mentioned about another mutual friend that they were a square peg like themselves. I understood that – a square peg is not someone who fit into the mold of our perception of society, there was even a TV show in the 80’s called ‘Square Pegs’, aptly set in a high school where we have our worst experiences of realizing we are not the norm, and not the cool kids, and not always the this or that – square pegs in round holes. (and we shouldn’t try to conform to the detriment of who God made us to be.)
I replied: Maybe we square pegs only see the round holes around us that don’t make a perfect fit because that is all we see when we look worldly – But God has made a hole exactly the shape He wants us to be and to fit in – and God even changes the holes (He certainly moves them) just like He changes us. But He changes us for His World, not ours. (I can’t claim ownership to my wit as God feeds me these lines,I hope in encouragement, but I can claim life experience as a square peg). Yes I appreciate the square peg situation – however I did find my crew in high school after an awful time in middle school. I did find now that my crew is people here and there and not a square hold to fit my square peg because God has put me sometimes in this situation and sometimes in that one. Besides, you can’t turn or be turned in a square hole – and you shouldn’t try to be round and thread down to non-moving – your peg must be shaped by God’s Hands and purpose – shaped for placement NOT permanence.
Of course – God has created us His – in His Image – not in our skin forever – so He wants our square pegs or round people or anything to fade away – return to the dust – and just BE.
Moses asked God to remind us to gain wisdom, an excerpt of Psalm 90:
Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
…Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
In the Proverbs (except from chapter 9): The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
I have both resigned to embrace my God-peg-ness (Here I am, Lord) even if I don’t always understand the shape my life takes – I do know that God continually says: in all circumstances embrace me celebrate me praise me and SHINE THE LIGHT OF ME. Fittingly the daily devotion from the Jesus Calling book yesterday stated: “I chose to pour My Light into you so you can be a beacon to others.” – and that is just it – we can’t be human world imagined pegs – we have to be God-beacon pegs because He has to wire us from within with the capacity to shine. If we even try to get ourselves into holes (round or square) – how could anyone see the Light from down there? We are placed in the world to be His Light.
Be His Light – Crave His Wisdom – Live your life for HIM…
AMEN
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“I Saw the Light” – Song by Hank Williams
. I wandered so aimless, life filed with sin I wouldn’t let my dear Savior in Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night Praise the Lord, I saw the light
. I saw the light, I saw the light No more darkness, no more night Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight Praise the Lord, I saw the light
. Just like a blind man, I wandered along Worries and fears I claimed for my own Then like the blind man that God gave back his sight Praise the Lord, I saw the light
. I saw the light, I saw the light No more darkness, no more night Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight Praise the Lord, I saw the light
. I was a fool to wander and stray For straight is the gate and narrow is the way Now I have traded the wrong for the right Praise the Lord, I saw the light
. I saw the light, I saw the light No more darkness, no more night Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight Praise the Lord, I saw the light
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I saw the light, I saw the light No more darkness, no more night Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight Praise the Lord, I saw the light
Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.
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Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge. Choose my INSTRUCTION instead of silver, KNOWLEDGE rather than choice gold, for WISDOM is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
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“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power. By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just; by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor,.enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
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“The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
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“Now then, my children, listen to me, blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”
It’s no doubt that Hotel California, by the rock band Eagles, is a great but haunting song with a firm message of once you check in “you can never leave”. It sings of a major warning and it’s a reminiscent warning of a too easy welcoming place that’s too easy to go there… Remember the warning and DON’T even check in. That’s a take home message in the Bible too, wide is the path of destruction…
Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.
Warning Warning Warning- of wide open gates of disaster is advice you should heed… That’s how Proverbs 5 and 6 read… WARNING WARNING WARNING INDEED… Of course the whole book of Proverbs speaks of gaining wisdom, but as the writer spoke in the previous Proverbs, these warnings might be considered retro-wisdom of “Don’t do what I did”, wisdom sometimes a great cost, so try to learn from my mistakes. This is applicable to any hole you dig yourself into. And if you get caught in this wideness of destruction, yes pray God to release you, but also work work work to get out. “Consider the ant” – a reminder that the ant works constantly – and doesn’t require a boss or king to motivate it – consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
Yes, the warnings in these proverbs (in addition to the ones for hanging out with the bad crowd, which will drain your money time energy), are clear in pertaining to ANYTHING that can pull you away from the straight and narrow life that GOD calls you to: “At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, ‘How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors. And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people.'”
The Proverbs 5 and 6 also speak of a bad crowd which may not see fault in itself, led astray by their own folly. We may not be doing all the proverb 5 and 6 activities, but even we can see (or not) when our own pride blinds us, when our self-indulgence fails us, when our sleeping on the job robs us of life… A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a thief.
Surely we can head these warnings by the wise writer – we can embrace our wisdom and ask for apologies… Even Jesus said no sin has overtaken that is uncommon. Even Jesus said God will provide a way out of temptations…
Well, we can checkout but never leave? Like Hotel California? NOT TRUE, because God wants to be our WAY out – yes our bags of life baggage have been unpacked, then thrown away when in repentance we find our Savior’s Rest and ask Him for the keys of forgiveness… Then and now, the next stop on our travels is anywhere we can continue to depend upon His lead…
You can checkout anytime you like, if you take our Savior’s lead.
Thank You Jesus for un-skipping our brokenness record…
Amen
Proverbs 5 NIV
Warning Against Adultery
My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.
Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity to one who is cruel, lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich the house of another. At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors. And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people.”
Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer – may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love. Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?
For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.
The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.
Proverbs 6
Warnings Against Folly
My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth. So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go – to the point of exhaustion – and give your neighbor no rest! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest -and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart – he always stirs up conflict. Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
Warning Against Adultery
My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life, keeping you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman. Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man’s wife preys on your very life. Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.
People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house. But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away. For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.
Proverbs 7 also speaks of staying away from the wide path of destruction. AVOID IT!!!
I talked to somebody at work just going on parental leave for 6 weeks – so happy for them – and thought then how distant for me, it seems forever ago that I had my children, even if they and I am still “young”. I know my mom says that same thing. “Where does the time go?” !!!!
Looking at my daily devotion book, we are nearly halfway through the year, ALREADY! Unfathomable.
My Facebook feed showed me memories of 10 years ago, my parents 50th wedding anniversary and party… (and I still have leftover gold plastic silverware thinking I will use it someday, haha). What a BLESSING of our parents and grandparents to us!!! Love my mom and dad!
And what about those kids 10 years ago and now? Time flies!!! Cherish the days, even the long days, as the years are short!!! My son just drove to work, my daughter is doing her own thing… Blessed to be watching them grow.
Solomon, wise Solomon, once said to his son: “For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me … Get wisdom, get understanding …. though it cost you all you have, get understanding.“
What classic advice straight from the Proverbs:
*”Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”
**”The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”
*** And the best advice ever: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.“
We must keep track of living, not time. We must mark progress, not mark time. We should use up our wealth getting wise. And I should use up those golden pieces of silverware, give them away, there’s no reason I should let my kids pick up after me.
The best thing to leave your kids is the memories of spending time with them IN LOVE.
(And that’s the memory God wants with us too. Spending time not saving it.)
Amen
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Proverbs 4
Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”
Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
The people who meet my mom say: “Oh, that explains your energy and personality, Debbie, now that I’ve met your mom!” The leaf doesn’t fall far from the tree, nor does the seed, so the leaf and the seed can study the successful growth of the tree. They can also remember they came from THAT starting point, way up there.
The lots in life… well, I am thankful for my family. Yes, us “leaves” from the tree SHOULD be talking about how we learned to live our lives, from where we were dropped or placed by our trees. Yes, we can choose to look up to the tree, maybe catch the wind and fly around, or look down to the ground and become mud. Some seeds are carried far far away – some are sheltered too much if they stay. Us “seeds” from the tree should be thankful for the growth we gained and where we are going and what we can do as trees now. I am thankful I fell from THIS tree – I am thankful for the Lord’s growth in me. And thankful to notice how He planted my roots into His stream.
Best statement of the day – my mom saw a book on “writing you life story” at the used booksale for a quarter – a cute little book – and when I asked: ‘Are you going to write your life story?’ She said: “If anyone wants to know they can just ask me – I would say; ‘It’s been fun!’, end of story”… yup.
It’s been fun – always fun with my mom…. BLESSED!
Appreciate the trees of our lives and learn how they root their lives. One of the commandments of the Law is Honor your mother and father – love them – listen – respect. God knows!
Amen
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. Psalm 1_1-3
You know TGIF! “Thank God it’s Friday!” – That applies when you like your job as well as when you don’t, because it’s the feeling of Friday with anticipation of Saturday, that motivates and encourages you, an opportunity to have a day or off, an opportunity to do “different hard work” like in the garden or around the house. (and WOW what a feeling if it is a 3 day weekend!) – It can be like TGIF is anticipation of any day before a day off, of vacation, of mental health repair, of sleeping in – or getting up early for adventure. TGIF is TGFTO is Thanking God for the Opportunity.
Ah, what about TGFJ, Thank God for Jesus. Or TGFF, Thank God for Forever. Or simply TGFCm, Thank God for Covering me. TGFPS, Thank God for Paths Straight.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Cover, coverage, containment and courage, those all come from freedom within God’s control. It’s like we can venture out to the world but appreciate God’s going ahead into our situations (making our paths straight) and carving out a safe space of His guidance out there. It’s mentally knowing that we may hit life rough spots, but they only give us traction to climb back into His embrace, His peace. His plan is planning for our next step forward, or simply to sit tight for a while and let the world change around us. Wisdom is waiting for God’s Go.
By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place…
It’s like last night I was overheated in 90 degrees, but too tired to care, went to sleep 10pm with a light sheet just to feel that comfort of cover. Then, with the window open overnight, the room has cooled comfortably even maybe chilly as the outside changed to 56 degrees. I have the warm fuzzy blanket as warmth and cover and I don’t feel like budging yet. That’s like God’s embrace in miniature, that’s when you know He has enveloped you more and more with the THICKNESS of His Love and Comfort, comfort in your mindset, warmth around you for safe rest. I think we need sleep because we need it from exhaustion plus we need it for overnight body repairs and mental care, and because we need to learn to get ourselves into a mental peace allowing sleep, we need to trust God. Best yet we have that warm fuzzy blanket close nearby for the change in the world (drop in the temperature), for life changes around us – but God never changes. We just know to draw closer. Best feeling ever.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. … have no fear of sudden disasters…
Best feeling ever: know God, know His Love, and draw ever closer to Him. Thank You Lord for this warm blanketed love I can take out into the world.
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.
God is infinity more than a blanket, more than a good pair of shoes or overcoat to venture out into the world. God’s Hope is infinity more than an overnight rest, God’s Love is perfect and applied regardless of the state of the person. Rain falls on the just and the unjust, so today we have the opportunity to say to God “Thank You Lord for the warmth” – “Thanks for the umbrella of embrace” – “Thank You Lord for Your Love.” BEST FEELING EVER.
Best feeling ever.
Amen
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*And please read Proverbs 3
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. [and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child]
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.
By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you. Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. Do not accuse anyone for no reason – when they have done you no harm.
Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways. For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence. The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed. The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.
It is an easier path through life that is wrought.
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Be God’s and fear Him, Awesomely,
Desire Understanding, Wholeheartedly.
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The Righteous walk with the Lord, not the human flatterer,
How God deals with them is a whole other matter.
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Hide commandments in your heart.
Quiet Discretion will make you appear SMART.
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Side step all evil ways,
Instead Lord, only YOU we Praise.
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Worthy IS Your Word,
Wisdom calls out to be heard.
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WISDOM CALLS OUT TO BE HEARD.
Amen
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Proverbs 2 KJV
My son, if thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments within thee, so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hidden treasure, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord giveth wisdom; out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous; He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of His saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness and judgment and equity, yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul, discretion shall preserve thee, and understanding shall keep thee, to deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from men that speaketh froward things, who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice to do evil and delight in the frowardness of the wicked, whose ways are crooked and who are froward in their paths.
Wisdom will deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger, who flattereth with her words, who forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God; for her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. Thus thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it; but the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
I fell into a habit of leaning on my ears and eyes to discern God’s instructions on/in my life. But God doesn’t give like humans give, like the world gives. God gives in Godly Ways – and more immense in majesty. We need NOT to rely on our own senses but RELY ON OUR FAITH. We need to make prayers for discernment and apply the wisdom within. God opens the eyes and the ears OF THE HEART and THE HEAD to savoring His WISDOM.
It’s fitting after the Psalms to have the book of Proverbs. It’s instruction in PRAISE and PRAYER in Psalms, then more of praise and prayer plus BASIC LIVING INSTRUCTIONS in Proverbs.
Praise, then put praise and patience into practice.
We are to be looking to God first, living wisely thereafter.
Father David in many Psalms then Son Solomon in many Proverbs: Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
Looking to God’s wisdom, not the world, still while living in the world, Proverbs give instruction for Faith over Folly, Wisdom over Worldliness, and Fear of God over Forgetting God.
Solomon asked for the most important thing he could really use, WISDOM, not riches or long life. God gave generously all these to Solomon. Was Solomon perfect, not at all. Not at all. And after Solomon came the fractured kingdom of Israel, yet God continued to secure a remnant of the family line through hard years. Prophets made notes of God’s Word until THE WORD in Jesus came. All told, the world still needs wisdom now.
Our wisdom should tell us that God has instilled instructions inside of us, a Holy Spirit center in us pointing to Jesus growing, if we simply follow Him over the human heartaches of this world.
Down Down Down are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it. … “but whoever listens to me [God’s Wisdom] will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Keep walking my friends, God’s got this. Keep listening to God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. God is working in us to REUNITE our Heart (guarded in love) and Head ( filled with knowledge of the Word). Let us know God’s assembly of these is for us to glorify Him.
Amen and please read
Proverbs 1
Purpose and Theme
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple [gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil], knowledge and discretion to the young – let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance – for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools [morally deficient] despise wisdom and instruction.
Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul; let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; cast lots with us; we will all share the loot” – my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it! These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.
Wisdom’s Rebuke
Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you – when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord. Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Sure we try to balance things of His wishes and ours. Just like we try to balance work and home. We try to balance vacation and work time, we try to balance our budgets, we try to balance our actions. We don’t balance ourselves well enough, in our diets, our health, our time. So why would we be even better at balancing us and God, than God is with us. We compromise. And that’s what God gets from us too often: us in compromising situations that He did not ask for. He receives us trying to balance our relationship with Him – But God says NO. God says NO compromise, “NO CO”, because compromise is co-promise and God says “NO GO” – “No Co”. We compromise. God Completes. What God builds will stand, NOT what we make by ourselves. God wants us to kneel anyway, and that’s part of our PRAISE, to watch Him Work.
There’s only one Promise, not co-promises, no compromises, not give and take on our terms. There is One Promise, that’s Jesus. Life is in Jesus Himself.
There’s only ONE Word. Not words but The Word, that’s Jesus. Truth is Jesus Himself.
Life with wordy and worldly ways has less substance – sub-stance – a sub lower stance than standing on the Word. No meditation other than mediation IN the Word. There are no ways, only The Way, that’s Jesus. The Way is the Way of Jesus.
God created the world and He will crumble it, no compromise.
God formed the people and He will preserve His Children who look to Him, fear Him in awe and knowledge, and cling to Him over the World.
The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
God made the Law for the people of Moses, then He fulfilled it by Jesus and Jesus alone as sufficient sacrifice. God listens, and in His Name He grants not wishes as much as simply and sacredly continued walking with Him.
“No Co” means NO: no co-incidence with His Intention, no co-operation with His Operation. Our co-operation is not required for Him to get the job done. We are NOT Co-dependant upon each other, we are dependent upon Him. Co-existence is not required either, we exist because of Him, not vice versa. NO CO.
In all this, God DOES want us to be His Children, His Flock, His Flicker of Hope in His Light within us. His Gift of a Son Jesus, within His Own Will, is a Covenant and Promise, remembering our fragility of our humanness. Making a Way. Grace and Mercy are given freely and with FAITH, our faith in Him. Our FAITH is our FAMILY TRAIT to trust Him COMPLETELY, because in His Hands, we COMPLETE His Love for us.
The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.
God is Love, Be His.
He already Won, Let us Praise His Victory.
Amen
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God closes the book of Psalms (147, 148, 149, 150) with reminders of His Power and Our Praise. Please read and Praise these songs of the Word of God with His Own Praise.
Amen
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Psalm 147
Praise the Lord.
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How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
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The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
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The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.
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Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp.
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He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.
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His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
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Extol the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion. He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat. He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.
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He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws.
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Praise the Lord.
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Psalm 148
Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, all his angels;
Praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon;
Praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.
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Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created, and he established them for ever and ever – He issued a decree that will never pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and women, old men and children.
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Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart.
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Praise the Lord.
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Psalm 149
Praise the Lord
Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.
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Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.
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May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, to carry out the sentence written against them— this is the glory of all his faithful people.
He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them…
To look at the box or not?
Why make a puzzle harder than it is?
I always look at the picture on the puzzle box but my mom does not. I like to know where to go – but she goes with the flow – Yes, the little colorful sections she does well – and I can’t say I do any better by looking at the box – but I think I do!
But life? Who envisioned this puzzle? I never want to go it alone. I know that God knows the box, the pieces and the fix. God looks at the Box – because He made it.
I want to be led by God – Why make life’s puzzle harder than it is!
Puzzle the Box, NOT. Listen to God.
Amen
—
Psalm 146
Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul.
I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.
He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Weary enough, the rest is appreciatively endeavored,
Especially when our nest is feathered.
*
Life may make us understand that we are totally tethered,
Especially when we count our days as surely measured.
Our existence is from being lovingly Fathered.
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In God’s Love, we are safe-harbored.
In Holy Spirit fashion, we are compassionately covered.
Into Jesus’s folds, we are forever gathered.
*
Life should not be flouted.
That life is a gift never doubted.
Sanctioned days is how life is structured.
*
Give thanks for when our lives are tested.
Give thanks for when our fate is rested.
Give thanks for Jesus made our salvation vested.
*
Life vested.
Life is Vested.
Live it.
AMEN
—-
David was pursued and tested, but God had his life-line vested. Beloved David was preserved, his family line forever-ed. because He praised and trusted God.
***** Psalm 145: PRAISE by David:
I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.
The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.
Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
Lord, we ARE You people, the sheep of Your Pen. Thank You Lord for sending Your Holy Spirit to both awaken us and to open the ears of many many peoples, even of other flocks.
Your faithfulness does endure for generations, and we carry on Your Work, sharing the Good News that You came to save.
By Your Word, We share of You, not just because we love to hear You, and we do, we share because Your Spirit is alive, is True in our Light from Your Fire. Your Spirit enables the lighting and re-lighting of a Holy Fire within us to shine You, be more like You in humble servitude.
Jesus, strengthen us as we carry out Our Father’s Command to make Your sacrifice known, known to us and all thru this advocate upon which we rely. He, the Holy Spirit always testifies to You, Jesus, as Truth. May the people trust in You, Jesus, by Faith.
And may we remember dear Lord, our fallen brothers and sisters of all the ages, in Memorial Day style this weekend, by celebrating life bought at a cost. Yes, may we also remember that You Yourself laid down Your life for all your friends, for us, for eternal Freedom. In Faith Lord, we humbly ask Your forgiveness and blessings.
God Bless us Lord and God Bless America and God bless our Work FOR You.
My daughter was very very young, 21 years ago now, when I stopped to visit at my aunt and uncle’s house. They were thrilled to see her and me and it was WONDERFUL to spend the afternoon with them. Of course when it was time for a feeding, I asked my aunt: “Do you mind if I nurse her in the living room?” (As opposed to leaving for a back room) My aunt said so freely: “Go ahead. It ain’t nothin’ nobody’s not never seen before.” I still laugh at that, I can still hear her tone, her reassurance and her approval that nursing was of course natural and needed and everybody will adjust… not nothin’ nobody’s not never seen before.
Truly we do see stuff, normal and not, ALL the time. Private, privileged, personal or whatever. We choose to be shocked or not. Nursing shouldn’t shock anyone.
Recently, I was driving around my hometown with my grown-up son. We were on the college campus and I mentioned this building area and that, like a tour guide… Went down one road by the grass quad, then I remembered a day, a COLD day maybe 30 years ago now, when I was walking and there came a running: a STREAKER !!! A running bare-naked streaker! Whew! SHOCKING and we observers laughed and laughed and laughed. And it WAS COLD. Disbelief but not unheard of, not something we hadn’t seen on TV, but in person? Shockingly funny. STREAKING should shock, that’s why they do it. Maybe not nothin’ nobody’s not never seen before, but still surprising!
Many of us do like to remain anonymous for our foibles and follies. It’s kinda like buying unmentionables at the local store, there’s just embarrassing stuff. Unmentionable and wouldn’t you know it is the one time that an attendant wanted to check my stuff out when I wanted to use self checkout… geez. Or how about those drivers stopping by the side of the road… Or someone at the beach changing out of their suit “inconspicuously”… Oh well, shouldn’t be too shocking, not nothin’ nobody’s not never seen before. For us or them.
Attached is a screenshot of an amusing story: “Passengers traveling 1st class on British airways Boeing 747 were worried about a redesign which means some lavatories have windows. A woman traveling to New York complained there were no blinds. She was told by the stewardess: “Madam, if some pervert is clinging to the side of the aircraft at thirty five thousand feet they deserve to see everything.”… ” HAHA…
Well Who Whom, at 35,000 feet or as close as the inside of your own brain waves can look in to all your private stuff? Who Whom DOES see. Well, Who folded those brain folds – to write your story in anyway? Who made you? There is One to Whom you CAN NOT HIDE, nor should you.
Whose the One who DOES see everything? GOD!
Whose the One who KNOWS everything? GOD!
Whose not shocked by anything? GOD!
Who knows the unmentionables, and could mention them, but maybe doesn’t? GOD!
To Whom should we tell everything, anything or even nothing, because He knows it all anyway? GOD!
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
We should be open and authentic to God. He cares. He knows. Psalm 139 of David is our prayer to share. The key “ask” is for Him to lead us ‘in the way everlasting’.
Precious to Him is each of us.
Precious to us are His thoughts, more than the number of grains of sand. That IS shockingly Share Worthy.
GOD’S SEEN IT ALL, AND LOVES US ANYWAY. God sees it all and loves us ESPECIALLY.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
AMEN and Thank You
…
Thank You Lord, for telling us that You care,
and can not be anything but aware.
Flee from You? We do not dare,
of Your Majesty we MUST SHARE!
Amen
…
(PLEASE read Psalm 139 and know His Love)
…
Psalm 139
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me close.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.
If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
One frustrating thing about living in the world is the constant distraction from focusing on things above. Then again, FOCUSING ON ABOVE puts us INTO the world because Jesus needs us here, God needs us sharing giving loving and showing all HIS LOVE. God says let go of the steering wheel and get off the side of the road. Get back to staying in the lanes. And don’t be afraid if the new roads God is taking you on haven’t been paved. Hold tight.
Focus on things above and you will see those God tethered electricity wires, like what trolleys or converted street cars have. Focus on running things inside off those sources of His Power, knowing where the engine has been put: under the hood, our hood. Focus on the road ahead and let the past go. Let go. Actually just go.
Focus on things above and find that peace only Jesus gives, because the world, however wonderful in friends and also fraught in frustration, won’t give you peace. It won’t.
Why groan and gripe and grip to ungodly grief? Return to remembering Who’s Running the show, Who’s Ruling the Roost, Whose Recording the Rules, Who’s Rendering the Rulings. God is.
God’s Righteous is by blood not by boast. He gave His All, we can add only our praise.
David knew this – “when I called, You answered” – saw God answer his grief, griping, groaning. They say if it’s tough going, then at least you are going. God didn’t promise you an earthly rose garden, but He promises to stick with you thru the thorns.
Keep going.
God, keep us going.
Amen
Psalm 138 Of David.
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.
May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.
The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.
History is real and God is telling us HIS-STORY. Endless times the Old Testament, especially the Psalms, written as songs, remind us of History and HIS-story, because the topics return to David, Moses, Jacob, and always to God’s faithfulness, throughout time. The Psalms speak of Jesus so much that it’s understandable that the people were thinking ahead. They were sharing past faithfulness and sharing future faithfulness… God was actively talking to the people through prophets and angels, as well as burning bushes and quiet whispers. Jesus was prophesied by His Own Word. The people needed saving and so God made a Way, Jesus’s Way. The people needed praising, so God made songs, the Psalms Way.
His Love Endures Forever. Why Love HIS STORY? Because HOPE lies in Jesus. His Love Endures Forever.
HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!!
AMEN
Psalm 132
Lord, remember David and all his self-denial. He swore an oath to the Lord, he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob: “I will not enter my house or go to my bed, I will allow no sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
We heard it in Ephrathah, we came upon it in the fields of Jaar: “Let us go to his dwelling place, let us worship at his footstool, saying, ‘Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. May your priests be clothed with your righteousness; may your faithful people sing for joy.’”
For the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one.
The Lord swore an oath to David, a sure oath he will not revoke: “One of your own descendants I will place on your throne. If your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit n your throne for ever and ever.”
For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, “This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it. I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.
“Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one. I will clothe his enemies with shame, but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”
Psalm 134 NIV
Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 135
Praise the Lord.
Praise the name of the Lord; praise him, you servants of the Lord, you who minister in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant. For the Lord has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession.
I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, the firstborn of people and animals. He sent his signs and wonders into your midst, Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants. He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings — Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan—and he gave their land as an inheritance, an inheritance to his people Israel.
Your name, Lord, endures forever, your renown, Lord, through all generations. For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.
All you Israelites, praise the Lord; house of Aaron, praise the Lord; house of Levi, praise the Lord; you who fear him, praise the Lord. Praise be to the Lord from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem.
FORGIVENESS power – by the walk of Jesus. POWER IN FORGIVENESS
LIGHT power – by the Light of Jesus. POWER IN THE LIGHT
HEALING power – by the blood of Jesus. POWER IN THE HEALING
HOPE power – in the return of Jesus. POWER IN THE HOPE
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POWER IN THE WORD, POWER IN THE WORD
Great PROMISE power – for the Healing of the Nations. POWER IN THE PROMISE
Great MOTIVATION power – for Heaven’s Hope. POWER IN THE POWER
HEAVEN’S HOPE is HELD WHOLEHEARTEDLY. POWER IN HEAVEN
Nothing is withheld by Jesus – the curtain is torn – our lives are reborn. POWER IN JESUS
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POWER IN THE WALK, POWER IN THE WALK
WALK IN LOVE
WALK IN LOVE
WALK IN LOVE
WALK IN LOVE
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POWER IN THE LORD
Amen
Paul to the Ephesians 5:1-21
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let them not once be named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not befitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know: that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be ye not therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them, for it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light, for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Therefore He saith: “Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, be ye not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Uncloggedness is my term today for the mental ability to see things CLEARLY, even if they haven’t happened yet, or at least realize “God’s got this!”… Maybe I can’t see the clarity, but feel it HAS to come from God.
GOD”S GOT THIS!!!!!! CLOG CLEARING!!!!!!
I had some dreams of processing events that haven’t happened yet, might not happen. I invented my own stress of something I saw and PROJECTED stress forward – well I shouldn’t have. Be prepared for the future but not pre-determine it. Like the strong drain cleaner bottle says – it unclogs. Well, my dreams pre-processed events and helped get the worry out of my system – helped unclog a clearer path of KNOWING peace from perceived pain, knowing that “professional strength” of God will handle it and will handle me. We all need to be weaned of our “I’ll figure it out myself” self-dependent mental states, step back of any unwarranted freaking out, and allow ourselves to be calmed, to be contemplative if not content. Weaned babies won’t run to mom as 5 year olds to nurse into comfort, we shouldn’t be dependent upon others to take care of our needs in that way, but let God Himself show us big picture power. We need to sit quietly humble. . .
God takes care of the clogs. David saw moments of harmony and prosperity, for himself and for Israel, even if things went wrong again for Israel. but the forevermore will be unclogged someday. We ourselves can see clarity and uncloggedness in at least small windows of our lives today, brought on by trusting God. We must be realizing God helps us and our futures. David reminds: the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Well, let us unclog and weaned ourselves of self-worry. God’s got this, and as yesterday’s “Jesus Calling” book entry so perfectly described: ‘your part is to trust Me, refusing to worry about anything.’
Be contemplative
Be calmed
Be contented
Be cleared
Be unclogged
Hope in the Lord – FOREVER!.
Amen
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Psalm 131 of David KJV
Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever.
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Psalm 133 NIV of David.
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
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Jesus Callingbook May 21, Sarah Young – written as if Jesus is speaking:
I, the Creator of the universe, am with you and for you. What more could you need? When you feel some lack, it is because you are not connecting with Me at a deep level. I offer ABUNDANT LIFE; your part is to trust Me, refusing to worry about anything. It is not so much adverse events that make you anxious as it is your thoughts about these events. Your mind engages in efforts to take control of a situation, to bring about the result you desire. Your thoughts close in on the problem like ravenous wolves. Determined to make things go your way, you forget that I am in charge of your life. The only remedy is to switch your focus from the problem to My Presence. Stop all your striving, and watch to see what I will do. I am the Lord!
My Facebook page memory photos reminded me of visiting, few years ago, with a group of church ladies who formed a Forward Look class long long time ago, some vintage aged then, some now 90ish, were movers and shakers in the church for years and years and their work paid for important things like roof repairs and refrigerators, dishes for funeral luncheons, and (for my benefit preveniently) a CD burner system for recording church services and concerts. These Forward Look ladies studied the Bible and shared the scriptures and prayed the people into blessings. The CDs could be shared with the homebound. I found that they found me – I was able to get sermons I had missed while busy with sunday school – get the crucial older sermons from a now friend when my ears started to open up (by God’s actions) and when my appetite for Him went thru the roof, 8 years ago now. I was able to gather some guidance – PREVIENIENTLY PLACED – at my fingertips… I still have my cds – music, sermons, SPIRIT… subsequently I copied these for others too… even put them up on Facebook, YouTube, etc… SHARE THE SPIRIT…
Amazing Previenient Grace. How sweet the prerecorded sound…
I also have another connection, I think in a tiny way I helped those many years prior to purchase it, in just a small way, with discussions with the ones who worked with them. I remember email chains, and well, I held some of the electronics magazines in my hands in that time period. Cool… Previenient. AND EVEN MAYBE simply purchasing cookies at their rummage sales helped – yeah cookies!
People often tell me: “well, I don’t need to get into a church building – I’m fine worshipping out in nature or in my own readings”… well, how can you Previeniently help others (or yourself) if you don’t go to where the people are? How can you get AND GIVE congregational benefits at home? Even homebound recieved visitors with the CDs and made the visitors feel fulfilled and needed… (and how can you eat church cookies if you don’t go?!!!) If you don’t like one set of cookies, try another, try some pie, there’s got to be a slice for you somewhere.
Well, I know these Forward Look ladies, through cookies, pies, sandwiches, rummage sales etc, used vintage things and recipes for gathering new money for new things, like that CD burner and oh yeah the roof. What’s more vintage old than PREVIENIENT GRACE? NOTHING. God put Himself into our lives on purpose. He came first. PREVIENIENT Grace is God getting us golden even before He starts polishing us.
GOD BLESSES. Pick up His Help.
Thanks ladies of Forward Look.
Amen, thank you Lord and Amen
…
One of my favorites: Psalm 127
A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.
I wrote this last year, it pertains to theme song a friend sent: “wondering in my wandering”…, if we focus on God, then the devil can’t get a foothold. I was thinking about this as I looked at the dashed road dividing line on the highway… If we follow Jesus, walk on the line, narrow walking, then the devil will fall off the side and can’t get a foothold into our lives…
This is edited from August:
A BIBLE STUDY LESSON I APPRECIATE: JESUS SAID MAN CAN RESIST THE TEMPTATION, CAN RESIST THE DEVIL. MAN CAN RESIST.. IT DOESN’T TAKE ONLY A GOD TO RESIST, BUT IT TAKES MAN LISTENING TO GOD TO RESIST.
We are specifically told to learn from the schemes of the devil to know how to resist him, by LISTENING to the Lord, being filled by His Spirit, then crediting the Lord with direction and our prosperity. Time and time again the devil wants you to rely on your knowledge, not depend upon the Lord. If you depend upon yourself, you will NEVER be satisfied. If you depend upon the Lord, the devil gets no foothold, and eventually will even have a hard time bending your ear. The devil makes you question even God. Remember, The Lord provides everything, food and direction, as He provided them to the Israelites in Moses’s time and to us, and God gets the credit.
Jesus said to the Devil (and of course to us), that man should live “by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”. This was a direct quote from what was spoken to Moses. And Jesus being the Word, those are His Words. Jesus quoted often from Deuteronomy, written by Moses, the fifth book, of God’s Word.
Moses wrote: He [God] humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, [so] that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
If we cast our fears to the Lord, even in the midst of stress, we will catch onto what the Lord gives us as His direction, which is His Word. The more we read the Word, the more resources we have in our arsenal to resist the temptations, the more knowledge we have of His TRUTH.
It will eventually come down to us choosing the Lord or relying on ourselves to see us thru troubles and triumphs. Someone once said to me: “I wouldn’t want to be a sheep.” I wish then I had thought of this witty reply: “With a Shephard like Jesus, I wouldn’t want to be anything but His sheep in His Flock.”
Live by His Word. Step by step. Bite by bite. Breath by breath.
Amen
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Jesus and the devil
Matthew 4:1-11 (also in Luke 4)
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
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God speaking to Moses
Deuteronomy 8 NKJV
“Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers. And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you.
“Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper. When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.
“Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end— then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’
“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God.
There’s another aspect of Hannah’s story that I want to explore, the childlessness was bad enough emotionally, because culturally having children was important, not just personally. And economically and practically it was important for an aging parent to have children to take care of them. There’s another woman in the beginning of this story, a woman who taunts Hannah for not having children, and this is a sinful GLOAT. That woman has many children, but the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb (for the time being). Hannah wept from the taunting – and did not eat. If we take another take home message from this story, it is not to GLOAT over any gift God has given you. We should not GLOAT over our gifts, we should be thankful. Like our salvation, we should remember that ALL good things are from the Lord – even sleep – even children – not from us – a gift… the other wife taunted even though she did have the gift of children… so sad…
Psalm 127 reminds us:
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.
1 Samuel 1 – New King James Version The Family of Elkanah Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there. And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.
Hannah’s Vow Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”
And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
Samuel Is Born and Dedicated Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the Lord.”
Still Here, Still Protected, Still the Lord’s people…
“so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.”
After I have series of serious busyness and travel and whatever, it’s so good to rest, and especially return to the Word. This day’s Psalms 124, 125, 126. Whenever it speaks of Israel, we too can think of us ourselves as a remnant of Israel, a scattered flock, Gentiles and Jews alike, still being held by God’s Hands.
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,…
My friend gave me the identification of a new plant I bought just from the description, a plant which I’ve had before, maybe 30 years ago, succulent like but easy growing, purple and green, he reminded me that it was a “wandering jew” – oh yeah – and my latest greenhouse visit confirmed that, I had bought a plant that I was comfortable with from past experience – and the name wandering jew is fitting for we all wander and wander until we realize that we should WONDER and WONDER at God’s ability and eagerness and proven track record to bring us through our own wilderness ESCAPE. Wandering, like the plant, can be too easy to fall back into. WONDERING has to be our norm. Wandering jew plants need watering, WONDERING people ARE watered..
Ancient Jews/Israelites had attacks by external enemies and downtimes caused by their internal folly, the Psalms were songs to remind them that God got them thru, gets them thru, will get them thru. We have to read these Psalms in future tense too – past, current and future.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Springtime is a great reminder for Rebirth and rework and rewards. I often wonder how amazing I am still here, counting blessings in the present, that I got past the painful aspects of the past gratefully, and that I am thankfully looking forward to the future. In all God was both present and preparing me for my journeys, and keeping me STILL HERE. Wherever we are, let us remember we are ALWAYS in Your Love
THANKS LORD!
LESS WANDERING, MORE WONDERING!
AMEN
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Psalm 124
If the Lord had not been on our side— let Israel say— if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away.
Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
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Psalm 125
A song of ascents.
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil.
Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. But those who turn to crooked ways the Lord will banish with the evildoers.
Peace be on Israel.
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Psalm 126
A song of ascents.
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.
After sending this to a friend, she sent me a link to a song (I had never heard) – so perfect for this devotion – “I Wonder as I Wander” – which her mom used to sing to her – it was a sweet memory for her – I am so glad the Lord does that -connect on many levels that are not of our doing – the Lord does that and He IS a wonder – a marvelous wonder…. here is the song link with lyrics: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=iJO6nH7fL2A
(Sermon brief: Hannah cried out to God – and Samuel was a gift from God whom Hannah gave back over TO God – and continued to visit him – love him… And other mothers and all of us can also know that reaching to God and praying to God and dedicating our desires to God is best – He is a loving God – Jesus also a loving God to Him Mom and to all of us.)
I had such a busy week and this sermon was flying around my head and even though I couldn’t write it down in entirety until recently, I felt God had me covered. Covered in topic and direction. Covered in peace and love. Covered in His scriptures for sharing – because His Word is Him. So Lord – please help me make these Your Words and not mine – open our ears and help us all see the love You have for us – and help us in our praise to love You for Your direction in our lives.
I praise God for my Mom – and my Dad of course – and I have to remember how my Mom always did (and still does) “cover me” – first in her womb – and she has covered me with love and dedication – covered for me when I needed extra cash – covered for me when I needed childcare – even driving 5 hours with my dad to see their new grandson for just an hour and later routinely for a couple nights of staying with her grandkids – and she always has Christmas “covered” by pre-wrapping gifts and sending them with me at thanksgiving time so that Christmas morning is “covered” in extra wow and extra love… covered…
My dad always and especially before He passed would say: “Take care of your mother.” And I am sure that the Lord has always said that to us too. And I want to give compassion today to those who have lost their mothers from the earth but not from their hearts – as their moms will always be with them with us – hugs also to those who have had static or non-existent relationships with their moms – and those moms separated from their children in any way – I pray them all and you all some peace this mother’s day. I pray God has double portioned up extra love for you with grandma’s and aunt’s, grandpa’s and uncles, and family friends and others who love on you (and for you to love).
We in God are covered under double portion (and more) of LOVE. Double portion was a term used in the story of Hannah – the mother of very crucially important Samuel, who grew up in the temple to go out to the world as a prophet and man of God. God covered Hannah with love even as she had to wait to experience motherhood. See, God knew how it would work out, He initially had “closed Hannah’s womb”, she was so sad and yet so beloved, that her husband would give her double portion of food. She was actually taunted for being childless, like when people pick on you for your one most lacking thing because they know it hurts you… not taunted by her husband, but by her husband’s other wife (yes, that was just how that family was) – taunted by this woman who had many children – and this made Hannah so sad that she refused to eat – she cried out to the Lord “in bitterness of soul”,(isn’t that a real feeling – of real pain that God allows us to feel and hopes that we turn to Him and not retaliation or worse) – and [Hannah] prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life,”
We too can ask the Lord for what we are lacking – and we too can find solace in our Lord’s love and peace, His faithfulness and forgiveness, His plan and purpose. Hannah’s motherhood WAS being saved for special timing and purpose in mothering a baby boy that she then promised and did give up – more like give over to God. So we learn in the scripture readings that Hannah prayed to God, went to the high temple, prayed in front of Eli the priest (who thought she was crazy drunk seeing her lips moving without sound), but we know she pledged to dedicate her son to God if she was able to bear him. Eli essentially said “I hope you get what honors God” – she did.
Hannah did get to be a mother and she did get to keep Samuel until he was weaned, which was probably until he was 5 years old or so. She dedicated him, brought him up to the temple where the priest Eli then was charged by God to raise young Samuel in the house of the Lord. Samuel was so very much chosen by God – to be the prophet child of God that told Eli of his family’s future – to tell of the Kingdom’s future – to later pick and unpick leaders in King Saul and King David – and to reconcile Saul, who had gone wrong, reconcile him to God after God “unpicked him” as the lineage for the Kingdom which was given over to King David – a lineage that led to Jesus as forever King. (I encourage you to look at the Old Testament scriptures that tell a great story of Abraham to Jacob to Moses to David to Jesus. Which were told to Samuel)
Let us listen to some of Hannah’s song prayer: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.”
Hannah was a mother and she had a mothering spirit – giving up of her own desires and walking with the Lord – keeping her promise. Acknowledging her mission, she didn’t walk away from the hardship of leaving her son – and NO, she did not abandon her son, no, she loved him so very much and she visited him each year when their family made the annual pilgrimage for sacrifice. Hannah made and brought Samuel a new robe to cover him. Oh, how I often wonder did Samuel remember his mom, her smell, her love, by touching the robe that his mom made – and how often did Samuel remember that he was a gift to the Lord. – His Mother had him covered both materially – and maternally – and majestically – and Samuel surely learned the love of God from his mother – that God was blessing them – that God Almighty covered them in purpose.
God Almighty also heard Priest Eli’s prayers about Hannah’s devotional act, on one of those many trips up to worship and to bring Samuel a new robe. Eli asked God to bless Hannah and her husband – and God provided more than a double portion with more children, actually 5 more! Eli said to Hannah’s husband: “The Lord give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was given to the Lord.” ,,, The Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the Lord.
This statement struck me: The loan that was given to the Lord – but in truth aren’t all our children a loan FROM the Lord? Our blessing and privilege to raise them – or help raise – like my aunts and uncles did – our teachers – our neighbors – our friends – and we can do these loving acts for others – be mothering and fathering figures…. That is truly when you bless but do not expect something in return – you have to let that child be themselves and live their lives not yours. And don’t we also need to remember to turn our worries about our children over to the Lord? If there is something that I can cover my children with – better than warm jacket for my college kid or a safe Subaru for my new driver – better even than my hugs (or my money) – better than anything else: I can cover them withprayers – and ask for them to be covered with God’s grace and mercy and love.
This is a side story – but relevant – I remember one day I went to traffic court – to appeal a traffic ticket – (don’t judge me – and really the light was green to yellow as I went around that corner – NOT red but barely starting yellow) – well – even the police officer seemed to encourage me going to court to fight the ticket – to not get points and only pay money – (its only money right?) Well so at court the police officer weirdly bargained that bargain for me – and while I was waiting I was humbled to complain less, humbled for my placement because God had a plan for me that day – a small one but I totally saw God’s hand in it – totally – I was waiting for my turn with the judge and there was a whole family there – grandpa, mom and dad and other siblings – and there was a 4 year old and he and I struck up a conversation about all the superhero toys he had – old and new – like for 10 minutes or more – I was the substitute babysitter mom of the moment and I saw (and can still see) this family circling their wagons – pulling themselves into a deep conversation about their teenager driver who may have had an alcohol-related driving incident – I couldn’t really know – totally not my place to know – but I knew God for these few minutes had a plan for me as “a mom educated in superheroes “ – to be in the moment to simply play with these action figures and distract and interact with this little boy in a crowded stress-filled waiting room where no one wanted to be – me neither until that very moment. I wouldn’t have traded that ticket for freedom as I thought of Batman as my example of God’s tools given to us to work on a situation – Batman was not a super hero with powers but with tools and a mission – and that is how we should be – so I paid my fine and I had to be fine with that – it is not my intent to speak of “my good deed of the day” but of God’s provisions of my time – Yes, for Him to put me where He needed me. Really God is our superhero with no need for a cape but He covered that situation in supreme fashion. Really, our blessings of opportunities to interact and pray for God’s collective children. We are to carry a mothering or fathering spirit wherever and whenever God needs us – because each and every person (young and old) is God’s child.
Back to finishing the story of Hannah – for her dedication to God – this dedication must have been on the minds of 2 particular women whom we have often learned about – especially at Christmas – more examples for this Mother’s Day from scripture of dedicated moms – we have Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist and her cousin Mary – the teenager mother of our Lord Jesus. I love to hear of their dedication – knowing that God did not chose an easy path for them as moms but a certain one for all of us – and they knew their sons’ lives had to be dedicated to The Lord. Revealed especially because the Lord God had already chosen them to be in His Plan. Listen to this statement by Mary, a good life-verse to aspire to: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” Mary sang – recorded later by Luke – and isn’t this so very similar to Hannah’s song:
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things,..”
How we appreciate mothers – Jesus did too – Jesus was first known to any human – revealed inside His Mom…. Mary felt Him grow in her as a baby and as her Lord – Mary learned about the Holy Spirit thru her carrying our Lord – she was greeted by her cousin Elizabeth and the second and third people to know Jesus in the flesh were Elizabeth and John as a babe inside her whom leaped in excitement. These mothers had to both rejoice and take the pre-told opportunity to devote themselves and their sons to the Lord.
Elizabeth spoke: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
We know Elizabeth and Mary as mothers who also had to endure hardship and loss – and so sad for mothers around us whom also do – we pray them God’s peace. We remember Mary and Jesus’s brothers also thought they lost Jesus to some crazy movement – thought Jesus was going rouge speaking about Himself and the kingdom and asking Him to leave a volatile environment. We remember Mary was there when Jesus was taken away – and when he was crucified – such unfathomable pain pre-told to Mary by Simeon in the temple when Jesus was only days old. Mary held that in her heart until it really happened.
Jesus as God – understood and understands – Jesus said of Jerusalem: how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings… yes Jesus came to earth for such a short time and had to leave all of His whole set of disciples, His brothers and sisters and His mother to the immediate future on earth without Him right there in the flesh – but He had them “covered” and instructed them to wait for the Holy Spirit…. They were covered as we could be and are covered with the Spirit.
and Jesus knew His biggest cloaking and covering forever was bigger than anything anyone could imagine – in that in His blood, His righteousness did and would cloak over our sins. Samuel grew and needed and received a new robe each year – made by His mother. Jesus by His love covers us anew and FOREVER – not just for each year but each day – each moment. Covered in Forgiveness and LOVE.
On the cross When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple standing by whom He loved, He said unto His mother, “Woman, behold thy son!” Then said He to the disciple, John, “Behold thy mother!” And from that hour, John took her unto his own home. Yes – Jesus gave His mother over to John and John to His mother – reassigned (temporarily reassigned since earth is temporary anyway) the physicalness of the earthly mothering and being a son to her mothering. Jesus made sure they were both covered – able to be physically reassuring each other. Jesus is the cover of LOVE that God intended for us too – and did God have to give up something too? – Well, yes – imagine that He could console Hannah giving over Samuel because God understood and MADE the plan – a plan to give OVER His own Son for all our sins – to allow Him and us to spend eternity together – God and all the rest of His children.
Let us pray: Lord – we are so aware that Mothers are so important in our own lives and in our scriptural history – God Almighty you chose to give Your children a survival mechanism by making us within our mothers and into a family’s love –
You God Almighty created our inmost beings – knit us together in our mother’s wombs – we praise you as we are fearfully and wonderfully made; as Psalm 139 reminds us – Your works are wonderful, all the days ordained for us were written in your book before one of them came to be
God You Are Love and You chose to surround all Your children in love – we praise Mothers and always we THANK YOU and praise Your Precious Love.
Amen
1 Samuel 1 – New King James Version
The Family of Elkanah
Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there. And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.
Hannah’s Vow
Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”
And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
Now the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and his vow. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the Lord and remain there forever.” So Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him. Only let the Lord establish His word.” Then the woman stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him.
Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. And the child was young. Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there.
…
1 Samuel 2 excerpts New King James Version
Hannah’s Prayer
And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. “No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. “Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the Lord is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.
“The bows of the mighty men are broken, And those who stumbled are girded with strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, And the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, And she who has many children has become feeble.
“The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory.
“For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, And He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. “For by strength no man shall prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed.” Then Elkanah went to his house at Ramah. But the child ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest.
…
Samuel’s Childhood Ministry
But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “The Lord give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was given to the Lord.” Then they would go to their own home. And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the Lord.
Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.
Psalm 123
—-
The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
My opportunity to take a trip allowed me to see new sights, but what caught my eye the most were the flowers, the people, the opportunity to simply “be”… There are many moments too that I was trying to fill my own agenda, but prayed: Oh Lord, let me follow Yours. It’s difficult to explain the level of pride we (I) experience living our lives… Really I am ranking myself as still having times of worst pride of my expectations of what I think I should know, of what I think I should be getting out of a situation, of what my take home message would be of myself, of what I should be able to see as my lemonade moments even if it wasn’t even given lemons or wasn’t given sugar.
Yes, often I do have a high expectation of the results that comes from MY direction of MY time, and that can get me in trouble feeling defeated without MY results, because I forgot my time is God’s time. It may not appear always that I struggle with my “pride stride”, or maybe it is super clear that I do, but either way, what I do know is that we all do. We don’t always visually experience or appreciate God’s purpose over ours but that’s nothing new, God knows people are people. (Imagine if we took His Stride, over ours, imagine the length of distance we would travel!!!!) Jesus wants to be our DIRECTOR – moment by moment in a sometimes slow churn – not with an instant quick result.
Really, here’s the question: how does ego/pride balance with humbleness and obeying? I don’t have a “pat” answer, but I know it is better to give God the Glory. How often do we keep letting pride get in the way, like “SHOW me, Lord” – demanding: “Show ME!” of my purpose and my results – “Show ME” because I DESERVE to understand my purpose – well, NO… We need to let God be God. He knows.
I saw some cool old butter churns, collected by my friend on her windowsill. How we often forget that it IS best to be part of a slow churn of God’s cream into His best butter – get into a deliberate churching and learning and being lead and often swirled by the paddles of His Churn. We (I especially) have to remember that sometimes God needs me (us) to slow down to a steady pace and let Him get His results out of our lives. Sometimes God whips our lives into fluffy whipped cream and sometimes into salty butter, whichever fits the moment. Yes, it is up to what God wants to serve at that moment. Remember God IS the bread of life, broken and shared with us.
God can let us see more of His purpose in each moment, or not. God “spreads us” in His Way. That’s my “pat” answer, be His butter on the bread of life, warm, salty, and sweet.
Let’s be churning in life with Him.
Amen
…
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. Psalm 127:1
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Psalm 128:1-2
I’m copiously reading a lot of scriptures about the Lord protecting us – there ARE a lot of scriptures reminding us how He will protect us… about all HIS ways to comfort us so that we can comfort others…
As ALWAYS, I’m ALWAYS singing… in the car, in the store, in the church, in the nursing home, and especially in my head – with or without the earbuds – music that comes out of your ears provides your mental tabernacle of sanctuary, an ever-expanding sanctuary to feel the PEACE of the Lord. After singing in band on Sunday my memory will resonate like a bell those very special catchy verses that the Lord has laid on my heart. These verses are for the past and surely they are for the present and they definitely are for the future when we will continue to walk with the Lord.
I think music is one of the biggest gifts ever – even when people are physically or emotionally in the deepest worst places, there still can be a song in our heads bursting or seeping out of our hearts… It doesn’t matter the depth of human intelligence or the languages that we speak, because music is universal… We have soothing songs in our dreams when we sleep, we have songs of heartache to keep us company in bad times, and we have songs of sheer JOY…
If God has taken care of the littlest birds with songs of joy, sorrow, and warning, then surely He will take care of us! (Matthew 6)
We have songs to sing about mercy, love and SALVATION…
With all the hardships thru the ages, thousands and thousands of years, music has continued to delight and direct us – and it must be because the Lord wants to hear us in a state of trying to find BLISS – to be in an active state of BEING STILL – and to be soothing ourselves (psalm 131) calming and quieting ourselves by trusting the Lord – knowing He is present – to be content in ourselves…
This state of looking for comfort is so that we are able to be comforting others (2 Corinthians 1)… and when we look at others we can be grateful for our blessings…
It all means we believe in HOPE…
There’s a TRUE JOY, that we have HOPE…
The JOY of music is the JOY of Hope…
“Put your hope in the Lord now and forever more”…
Amen
Psalm 131 My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.
Psalm 136:7-8
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever
Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry to you,Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
P.S. I Bow My Heart to Sing, 19JAN
Of the praise songs we sing in church, this is probably one of the best lines – from this Paul Baloche song Your Mercy: “I bow my heart to sing” – bow my heart – how could I not?
God gives us Mercy and He blesses us. We are called by God to know we have received God’s mercy. We are called by that and know that He loves us!
Two by Two the Lord sends us out to minister and to witness and to have someone who sees what happens when we work in Jesus’s name and love, we are sent together to have someone who confirms our story.
Thru YouTube, I met singer and dynamic spiritual-cajoler Keith Green. I knew a couple of his early 80s songs for praise band, I didn’t know his story. I learned. YouTube. Now that’s a blessing!!! Keith’s story is both very different and very similar – a gift of mental pairing for me. The story is different in his upbringing – the story is the same in God’s “SNAP” call.
Independently, the Lord calls on each of us to realize our status as children of God. Keith Green says God has children, not Grandchildren – meaning that young folks – each person – will have to hear their own call, understand for themselves, not ride in on coat-tails…
Yes, our jobs are to keep encouraging new children of God to find Jesus.
Keith and I have shared experiences of questioning, learning, knowing. Yes, Jesus is patiently waiting for us to follow Him. Receive Him AND Follow Him, two stages. Keith is a pair to my witness, Keith would understand me, understand that SNAP of when we knew and acknowledged Jesus as Savior AND Lord. Yes, in this interview Keith states that he knew Jesus but then later when he acknowledged JESUS AS LORD, OH SNAP, it all came together… God wants commitment…
Keith’s testimony (discussed in this 1st YouTube video) and mine are 40 years separated by time, but God crosses all distances and medias. I understand that testimony.
Keith talks about Jesus to the viewing audience kids in his 1982 appearance on the television boob tube (those are his words in the second video link) that he knows how 70’s crazy he looks to mainstream American people, that he knows what becoming a fool for Christ looks like. And so with Keith’s charismatic ways, naturally, God found a use for him and his style. God crosses all distances and media to reach people.
I’m blessed to know that when you know the Lord and WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH, the Lord will snap you in. Born again. I pray that you know Him too. To give up your life to the Lord is to gain His life for you.
Keith Green would understand me and I him, oh that conversation, oh that SNAP. Just before the 10 minute mark on the first video, Keith speaks of how it was 2 years of Him praying to Jesus before he actually worshiped and followed Jesus – you have to be led and accept Jesus’s lead in order to be saved… at the 12minute 45 sec mark, Keith said he knew Jesus was real because He was the one God changed – a mountain could have skipped into the sea – but if God changed him then wow, that is how he knew.
Love these 2 videos – it’s the unplugged speaking at the piano testimony which is more important than the music…. I’m thankful for YouTube history… I’m so thankful to the Lord for being true thru the ages. Calling His Children.
Amen
“Keith Green 1982 100 Huntley Street TV 01 Keith’s Testimony” on YouTube
What kind of music is God playing for your theme song at this moment?…
Perhaps He’s playing the Rocky theme and you need to get-up-and-get back in the game knowing He is giving you the strength.
Perhaps He’s playing that calliope instrument and life is bubbly and fun and filled with joy.
Perhaps it’s a great organ playing Count Dracula scary suspense music and Lord knows where the dark shadows lie in your life…
Perhaps He’s playing the Jeopardy theme song and is waiting for you to make a decision of the answer you’re going to give Him.
Perhaps it’s a Weird Al parody – and your life is seemingly filled with goofballs, but you still have to deal with it all…
Perhaps it’s a vast Broadway chorus and you are in the show-stopper biggest most intense moment of your life…
Perhaps it’s quiet – but you still hear the clock ticking… Perhaps God is telling you to stop marking time… perhaps God is telling you to start making time…
Perhaps God is singing you a lullaby, gently telling you to rest in Him…
Perhaps it’s time for you to be quiet and not hear music, just hear Peace…
In the plaques at a local 911 memorial, I noticed the AGES for the fallen firemen, police, and Port Authority officers… nearly all these ages were my age or younger… So many people not even in their prime… Wow this made me the most sad to know these lives were lost so young… I know they served so bravely and did so much in their short time on earth… God bless their souls…
And I pray that God took all 3000 up into heaven, no questions asked… I KNOW it doesn’t work that way but I prayed anyway that God found a loophole for the non-believers too, that He convinced them last minute, and let them in… Maybe, just maybe…
So this song is cool – I heard the lyrics about singing and since I was REALLY thinking about the people on 911 and I pray that each “found the savior” as the buildings collapsed, I appreciated these lyrics: “And as the chorus grew – A thousand hearts beat true – Then like a glowing beacon in the dark – Hope came shining through”
and l love the lyrics that touch my story too – “and choirs sung high – grant her new life – make me a vessel – of conquerous grace -music has shown her the way – she lived today”
cool cool cool – God is good in harmonizing my thoughts and times – and I praise that “I LIVED TODAY”
Hymn of A Thousand Voices Dream Theater
Out of the shadows One by one they came To shed their light upon his moment Of doubt and pain
A thousand voices Ring out through the night A symphony of mercy for their savior Too tired to fight
And as the chorus grew A thousand hearts beat true Then like a glowing beacon in the dark Hope came shining through Shining through Shining through
Amazingly The savior found his voice And all together they rejoiced
Glorious sound Guide her tonight Out of the darkness Into the light
Merciful song Set her soul free Unbind the chains Of endless sleep
Choirs sung high Grant her new life
Make me a vessel Of conquerous grace Music has shown her the way She lived today
I was driving listening to one of my favorite artists, Steven Wilson, an old band of his, Blackfield, and next up was “End of the World.” Love the song no matter the lyrics, half of which I don’t know. I listened and thought about the goal of my sharing God’s praises is to explain that we are going to the end of the world – and then continue… yeah, no one doesn’t continue, it is more about what we will do when we get there. Eternal with? Or Eternal without? Choose Jesus, my friends. Eternal with…
Next car license plate in traffic was eerie timing: “EOTW”… how could I not spell that out… “End of the World”. Freaky Freakish timing, while I sang End of the World… freaky except we ALWAYS have the option and opportunity to ask God: “What’s up with that???!!!”- sometimes the answer is “stop being distracted by the world, it’s going to end anyway!”
Maybe people use ‘the end of the world’ as a scare tactic, but God wouldn’t… Maybe God would use a ‘snare’ tactic instead of a scare tactic. God’s snare makes us aware, able to go over the “end” of the world and into what comes next… And (reading Revelation) won’t we get to watch 1000 years millennium of the world from the non-cheap seats? Yeah… We get to praise forever… Yeah, we are not to fear EOTW but hear: POTL Praise of the Lord, and know: TOTLEFE Truth of the Lord endureth for ever…
Psalm 117 is short and to the point: “O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.” Psalm 118 is longer. And Psalm 119 is the longest! But the long and short of our lives is we’ve got more days to praise ahead of us than we had behind… for EVER.
So don’t fear the end of the world, but do warn, teach, cajole, love and explore with people all their options, asking them to Go With Jesus. GWJ.
“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for His Mercy Endureth For Ever.”
HMEFE yes!
Amen
AMEN!
…
Psalm 118-119
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2 Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.”
5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. 6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. 10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down. 13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. 14 The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! 16 The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” 17 I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. 18 The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. 19 Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. 21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.
22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 23 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.
25 Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. 27 The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 119
א Aleph
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— 3 they do no wrong but follow his ways. 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! 6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. 8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
ב Beth
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 12 Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. 13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
ג Gimel
17 Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word. 18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. 19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. 20 My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. 21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from your commands. 22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes. 23 Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. 24 Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.
ד Daleth
25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word. 26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. 27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds. 28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. 29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law. 30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. 31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame. 32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.
ה He
33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. 35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. 36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. 38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. 39 Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good. 40 How I long for your precepts! In your righteousness preserve my life.
ו Waw
41 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord, your salvation, according to your promise; 42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word. 43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. 44 I will always obey your law, for ever and ever. 45 I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. 46 I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame, 47 for I delight in your commands because I love them. 48 I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees.
ז Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. 50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. 51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from your law. 52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them. 53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law. 54 Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. 55 In the night, Lord, I remember your name, that I may keep your law. 56 This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.
ח Heth
57 You are my portion, Lord; I have promised to obey your words. 58 I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. 59 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. 60 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. 61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law. 62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws. 63 I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts. 64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord; teach me your decrees.
ט Teth
65 Do good to your servant according to your word, Lord. 66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. 68 You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees. 69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. 70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law. 71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. 72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
י Yodh
73 Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. 74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word. 75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76 May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. 77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. 78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts. 79 May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. 80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.
כ Kaph
81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. 82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, “When will you comfort me?” 83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees. 84 How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors? 85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me, contrary to your law. 86 All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for I am being persecuted without cause. 87 They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. 88 In your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.
ל Lamedh
89 Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. 90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. 91 Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. 92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. 94 Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts. 95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes. 96 To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.
מ Mem
97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 98 Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. 100 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. 101 I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. 102 I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
נ Nun
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. 106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. 107 I have suffered much; preserve my life, Lord, according to your word. 108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. 109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law. 110 The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. 111 Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. 112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.
ס Samekh
113 I hate double-minded people, but I love your law. 114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. 115 Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God! 116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. 117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees. 118 You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their delusions come to nothing. 119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore I love your statutes. 120 My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.
ע Ayin
121 I have done what is righteous and just; do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Ensure your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me. 123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise. 124 Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. 125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. 126 It is time for you to act, Lord; your law is being broken. 127 Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, 128 and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.
פ Pe
129 Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 131 I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. 132 Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. 134 Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts. 135 Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees. 136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.
צ Tsadhe
137 You are righteous, Lord, and your laws are right. 138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. 139 My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words. 140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. 141 Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts. 142 Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. 143 Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight. 144 Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.
ק Qoph
145 I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord, and I will obey your decrees. 146 I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. 148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. 149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws. 150 Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law. 151 Yet you are near, Lord, and all your commands are true. 152 Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.
ר Resh
153 Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. 154 Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees. 156 Your compassion, Lord, is great; preserve my life according to your laws. 157 Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes. 158 I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word. 159 See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love. 160 All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
ש Sin and Shin
161 Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word. 162 I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil. 163 I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law. 164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. 165 Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. 166 I wait for your salvation, Lord, and I follow your commands. 167 I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. 168 I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.
ת Taw
169 May my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word. 170 May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. 171 May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. 172 May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. 173 May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174 I long for your salvation, Lord, and your law gives me delight. 175 Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. 176 I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
Last night was a decent rain storm, dark clouds but not too bad to be feared, I’ve seen those dark clouds, before in retrospect, and wow the most VIVID rainbow, full and doubled. WOW!!! Oh how BRIGHT especially against the dark cloud moving away… LIGHT overcame that dark, BRILLIANTLY and VIVIDLY noticed.
In our lives too… I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
How many times have we been in small anguish of annoyances and those BIG anguishes that squished us to sadness? On the flipside, how many times we actually don’t even know that we have been the verge of disaster (in human sense) but rescued? How many mini praises do we have – like thankful for another day… Let us be BRILLIANTLY thankful.
Often we have to get exhausted to appreciate being rested. We have to be broken to appreciate being repaired. We have to have something as real as a Monday to appreciate the Friday. We have to have enough of a memory to know we got from there to here… and then know Whom to praise in all, PRAISE OUR GOD WHO OUR SUSTAINER. OUR UN-SQUISHER.
…
Anguish will squish us.
The Lord’s Love will kiss us.
Rainbows will distract us. GOOD.
God will remember us.
Forgiveness will un-squish us.
The cup of salvation does save us.
The Lord has blessed us.
No one can praise enough.
Let’s PRAISE the One to Whom all praises are due. (I know I need to!)
Amen
—
Psalm 116
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!”
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears,.my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
I trusted in the Lord when I said: “I am greatly afflicted”; in my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.”
What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains.
I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord – in your midst, Jerusalem.
I was blessed to see our CEO yesterday, it’s been a few years and I appreciate that he appreciates us. I appreciate that with SO MANY employees that he doesn’t need to remember my name, but I hope he remembers my smile. And it’s ok if he doesn’t because a smile is new each time it is given. He remembered my smile.
It’s being a fan that’s fun. And recognizing that encouragement is encouraging all around. Smiles are welcoming in the best of times, even in the worst of times. Smiles are more infectious than anything else.
Faith. Faith is not infectious but faithful witness. Wisdom helps in knowing the difference between an idol and fandom, and also not to put faith in humanity. Knowing God is God is a witness and commitment to looking for truth, finding the Rock in a sea of fluff, even trusting in the hard times in a ‘God and us’ relationship that maybe some others don’t understand. We know that our faith sustains. And we know that Sustainer. Faith is a smile given back and forth between our dust and God.
So, endless praise for God. One True God. Idols of the past (and the fake gods like the golden calf, like Baal, etc) and idols of our time (money, fame, people) are not going to sustaining, not going to be working out FOR us. Idolatry requires us to give everything to that relationship and nothing is given back. Idols, in other words are idle.
God is God and gives. He already gave until it hurt. And He is not idle, working every day in every way for our good.
We can praise! “It is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore.”
Psalm 115 is a pinnacle of praise. How awesome that the Lord Himself gave us words to praise. Wisdom knows God is working always, for LOVE.
In re-reading scripture about Samuel and how God spoke to him as a child and adult into old age, it’s no wonder that King David – already trusting and appreciative of the Lord – then anointed by Samuel – must have been in immense awe to write so many psalm songs about Israel’s past and future… see psalms 112, 113, 114. David knew both faithfulness and forgiveness from God. AND he knew God’s History and Future.
Samuel to David, like Obi-Wan Kenobi to Luke Skywalker? Well it’s not a fictional storyline that the Lord indeed made Himself known to David, Samuel, Moses, many. The Lord moved mountains, rescued enslaved people out of Egypt, shook up rulers and kept His Light shining in and from the land of Judah, Bethlehem, where Jesus was to be born. Not only did God make a Way, He IS the Way, and He has HIS Say.
How we approach the world and everything in it can be scary OR an OPPORTUNITY to watch God work. Sometimes we see frustrated people and we wonder if they only could praise more would they get more satisfaction in life, or at least be more stoic about themselves. I pray us all praising.
We wonder why wicked walk away from worship. Here’s HOPE healing hearts hear heaven helps our hurdles, helps our hunger. Frustrated folks we find fear forgetful. Praising people pick praise and prayers. God’s got us GOOD. Jump for Joy in Jesus. Smile in Spirit. Trust in Three in One.
Amen
Almighty Amen
—
-Psalm 114
When Israel came out of Egypt, Jacob from a people of foreign tongue, Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back; the mountains leaped like rams, the hills like lambs.
Why was it, sea, that you fled? Why, Jordan, did you turn back? Why, mountains, did you leap like rams, you hills, like lambs?
Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.
.
Psalm 112
Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Psalm 113
Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord.
.
Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.
.
The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.
.
Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?
.
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.
.
He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children.
Ah… my Facebook memories of 2 years ago – I was remembering the HOPE with scoring appointments for those covid vaccinations and now I remember that the HOPE WAS DELIVERED! How many concerts, plane flights, inner city events, church singing, grocery stores, work gatherings, life things. If we realized that we took things for granted, like hugs, how can we now appreciate that we got them back… You don’t know until you don’t – so let us not forget what we learned.
These vaccinations against covid, 2 years ago now, wow we scrambled then to secure a shot spot, and wow free-er living now… Like how often do I praise my shoulder working after shoulder surgery – I went from able to unable to able again… Praise it!
It was best vaccination timing (if you think of it that way) for my kids and me visiting my Dad in the last couple months before he passed 2 years ago this July… we all got our shots just in time to visit for four days in the house. Yes, I spent a year on the porch – not even a fist bump – not even snuck a hug – I do remember bumping shoes with my mom and feeling the energy of connection just in that… Oh how I am appreciative.
They say better living thru chemistry… these vaccinations certainly helped… maybe no vaccination is 100% effective, but these shots reallly were a “shot in the arm” for me for us… Yes, reduced the cases, reduced the severity, reduced the hype, reduced the fear, and increased our HOPE.
Thank You Lord!
I am now thinking that perhaps we will look back from heaven (well, maybe we won’t because who needs to look back at all when you are looking AT Jesus’s face) – but theoretically if we consider now the separation moment and Heaven the re-together moment – how awesome we will appreciate that then… So, let us (pre-knowing) start praising now… Lest we forget to praise – even ahead of time…
Thank you Lord, then, now, and forever more…
–
Psalm 113
.
Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord.
.
Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.
.
The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.
.
Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?
.
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.
.
He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children.
How thankful for the SUNSHINE today, we had seems like endless RAIN, even if it were just a weekend. I still grinned and bore it getting outside, driving places, went outside to a township event and last night seeing no good parking spot walked those extra 20 feet into the store – I first grumbled about it – but I was OK! The big reason I stopped grumbling was that there were 2 identical cars to mine in close handicap spots, and I realized to be THANKFUL for my working legs, I COULD walk… No pain? Refrain from the complain!
That’s LIGHT in the darkness, when you don’t let circumstances, like rain, rain on your parade. You don’t let pain poison your day.
I was driving last afternoon thru the rain, appreciative of GREAT tires on my car. And remembering that we were in a drought not too long ago but no more, catching up with the rain we really needed was a blessing. And wow how LUSH the greens and purples, pink and white flowers, rolling hills of so many shades of green that feasted the eyes. This is Light in the darkness. Don’t let dark clouds prevent you from seeing the rainbow already on the ground.
Psalm 112 this morning we can read in the SUNSHINE. We WILL get through dark patches in life, in seasons, in daily grinds. We WILL be LIGHT ourselves by counting blessings and trusting in the Lord. We WILL be OK!
The reason I was driving this weekend was to see friends not seen since before covid. Now you have to admit that no matter the severity or need to huddle (or even overreacting in hunkering down), that we went through it and have recovered on the otherside from our fears, at least most I hope have. Yes there are pockets of precautions, but “normal” got closer to normal. Are we praising? Are we taking advantage of the opportunities that we didn’t do before? Have we thanked God from getting us from there to here? Or are we being darkness from not seeing LIGHT in the situation… I have retooled and reschooled – resolved and recommitted to new things after old things disappeared.
Scripture says LIGHT overtakes darkness, darkness never wins. That’s because LIGHT already won… Let us sing praise!
I found something lost – it must have flung a couple feet from being caught up in a towel or bedding, then stayed under tiny piles of clean laundry. I found it, having the time to clean BECAUSE of that rain, and I praised finding it (and stopped cleaning). Isn’t it true that thinking of how God rescued us, we need to praise our found-ness, praise God and yet keep cleaning now WITH HIm. Yes. Also keep praising, keep looking for the LIGHT and not complain when we get there.
I think attitude is everything… Today is a good day for a good day. How will we know that? Look for the Light!
Amen
—
Psalm 112
Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Blessed to share the sermon about Saul to Paul – pancakes – and our 2 parts in life with Jesus – saving forgiveness and mission calling.
I love to start with Psalm 111 because it has so much encouragement in it – and I could imagine Paul, the focus of our story today – having read it and read it and read it….
Part of Psalm 111:
Praise the Lord.
I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever….
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
,…..
So – I pray we call upon the Holy Spirit in our midst to move us – I pray for anyone who is itching at the ears and heart to understand Jesus more, to let God open them – and let themselves hunger even more… God is willing to lead us and we can hear Jesus DIRECTLY thru His Word.
Paul, whom we learned about in our children’s message and by the two-part scripture reading was a man who became VERY HUNGRY for the Lord – hungrier than for pancakes! … This later apostle of Jesus was first just a man who persecuted Jesus’s followers – and then He saw the LIGHT… Paul is said to be the great writer of the book of Hebrews stating: 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.
——–
This a story of a man who changed from a DIRECT encounter with Jesus – DIRECT.
I call this sermon “Not done yet” – because we are all not done yet – and we can learn from Paul – and we are always maturing like those pancakes on the skillet… so yes, let us take that trip to Damascus and then see where it leads us…
Let me tell you a story about a man to whom God turned up the heat… This man’s name was Saul, that was his Aramaic name – the same local language that Jesus spoke to the Jews he was with – and this man Saul was around in Jerusalem just within a few years, scholars say, when Jesus was crucified, risen, and went up to Heaven. Saul was not a good man, he himself said that he persecuted the Christians “Beyond Measure”. The rulers back then were afraid of this new “The Way” – thought it was blaspheming God, but they did not understand the scriptures foretold of Jesus coming… They read them but they didn’t understand. Jesus would say of many that they could not read the sign of the times…
Saul witnessed Jesus’s followers teach, but he didn’t absorb it to believe it – it actually made him MORE mad to see this sect of Judaism go against what he thought was honoring God. When Jesus-follower Stephen was the first martyr killed for speaking about Jesus, was stoned to death, the people laid their cloaks at the feet of the young Saul – he gained a hunger for killing Jews. Scripture says: they were furious – Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears … While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (sounds like Jesus too) –
Saul saw this all – didn’t change him then – but he remembered and retold the story later… How surprised he must have been, after killing all those new Christians, surprised that Jesus singled him out and came directly to him, as I told the children – there were at least 2 BIG reasons (and lots more) – to CHANGE Saul AND to give him a new MISSION. This made Paul MORE hungry for Jesus’s maturing in himself – a message for us too – 1st reason: change – a NEW CREATION in Jesus – Jesus forgave Him when Saul asked for forgiveness. Jesus spoke to him. God “turned up the heat” on Saul (like those pancakes) and made him blind for a while and made him completely dependent upon others. AND Jesus not only gave him an opportunity to be better, the flip side of Paul’s life in Jesus was Jesus commanded him to go teach as a missionary. Reflecting upon his new life and mission, Saul went by his Roman name Paul – It was so that he would reach the new audiences (like in Greece and Rome) for Jesus by relating to the Gentiles… And with this 2nd “FLIP-SIDE” reason, Jesus made sure Saul/Paul had this change of heart, to get him teaching both Jews like himself AND non-Jews, who are called Gentiles (and we fall into that category) – teach them all about “the Way”- the Way of Jesus. The people of Jerusalem as you heard in the scripture reading were NOT happy when Paul said God told him to go teach the Gentiles.
And how did Paul teach? He traveled, he went to see people, he started churches, in one place he taught for hours each day while still working full-time as a tentmaker, he even got arrested and taught in prison, he taught the guards, They witnessed Paul saving people – even while being escorted to Rome – to be held in trial before the Emperor – and especially important for us, he wrote letters back to all those people whom he met – YES, God gave him a job, God turned his life upside down and put him back onto the earth – to do more work -and God even moved him around – God’s pancake lifter… If you have not yet read the book of Acts, I encourage you – the stories are AMAZING of his travels – Paul even heard from God directly again, telling him that he was going to go to Rome to witness to crucially important people. Because God moved Paul around AND reinforced connections, this is how THE Word of ‘The Way’ spread further… we too benefit – we learn about Jesus here in America because God brought us the Word thru His missionaries like Paul… God brought Jesus to us.
What about us? Are we feeling Gooey inside?
In the middle of writing this sermon I was remembering I am still really gooey in the middle like the undone pancakes… My own pancake is not done but indeed the Lord did flip me – He did – He turned my life upside down and I was reborn – and put me back here on the earth for a while longer still… Yes the Lord has been cooking me, gently, with Steam and Spirit. He gives corrections to my thoughts, convictions of my mess ups… I could give you a laundry list of my faults but I’m not going to, we have to be careful not to “take pride in our sins” – especially knowing that Jesus has already forgiven them. Not to gossip about ourselves, but yes we DO need to witness how the Lord has changed us – so we do need to show how God got us from there to here… … and that gooey stuff in the middle? well there are trusted friends within whom we can and should confide… And of course we need to be willing to tell Jesus Himself, to confess to God who already knows our deeds, we need to be completely open – to show Him all our gooey middles – to ask Him to hold us tight to Him – to help us move closer to Himself and away from us being sticky and icky…
The point I really want to make here is that we all experience gooey middles – we are human!!! … Don’t let your humanness prevent Jesus from maturing you. God turns up the heat on us but for Love’s sake. In one of Paul’s letters he says: No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
What can we do with our situations, those sins of omission (those you didn’t realize), sins of commission (those you did realize) and every oops in between? Give it to Jesus. Let us Let Jesus be the One who lifts us. Let Jesus cleanse us in forgiveness – in truth He never ever leaves our sides. None of this salvation is by our deeds – and we are never going to be worthy of it – but Jesus died for us because He said the whole situation was worth it –because God is worth it – all worth being with us, His children – THAT’S LOVE!
*Paul would write letter to the people in the church in Ephesians: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. … But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. – … it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do….
*Paul wrote to his friends in the church he planted in Colossians about teaching the Way to Jews and Gentiles: “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
*Paul would write to the Hebrews about Jesus’s perfection: He always lives to intercede… Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. . . He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself – the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
We are placed into Jesus’s story – many of us have roads to Damascus. Many of us have felt that thunder of God, some are still afraid to have Jesus turn up that heat… and yet many have felt the gentle touch of Jesus – warm but not burning.
I have felt the gentle touch of Jesus. God brought Jesus to me. I am someone who was almost dead in their faith, to put it succinctly, gooey on Both sides of my pancake – even while working for the Lord, I didn’t get Jesus 100%, I knew of Him but I didn’t know Him IN me – and I ran away from that opportunity to know Him more. I didn’t understand, I didn’t… This is not unusual to other’s stories. It was not until God drew me closer to Jesus that I started to change – and Jesus GRACEFULLY acted as if I were Jairus’s daughter, simply saying: “She’s not dead, she’s only sleeping.” I won’t tell you the long version of my road to Damascus but in my “short stack story” using the pancake analogy for myself, for all of us, a reminder that Jesus doesn’t wait for us to be all “perfectly done” before He calls us – No. We can’t decorate ourselves with chocolate chips on our pancakes – we can’t pretend to hide under our puffed up pride. We can not achieve what God would have us achieve, in us, without God. He flips our world upside down and puts us back on earth… we are to bloom where we are planted, mature and teach, live, and simply BE STILL and KNOW He is God. Let us keep watching Him be God in our lives and in the lives of others – let us appreciate the heat at times… And remember, here on earth: this is a non-stick surface. This is not our home.
This is not our home.
Won’t you please pray with me – Lord, we are not done yet, but that does not make You love us less – You ARE LOVE – we are LOVED. You are still working on us, in our trials we are to look towards You and You gives us direction. Take the scales off of the eyes of our hearts – like you did for Paul. Let us hear you and obey. Let us be lifted and re-lifted by Your Spirit. Using Paul’s prayer as [workers] for the Lord, help us live a life worthy of the calling we have received. Let us be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Lord Jesus of lifting, we thank you. We Praise You always in your precious and powerful name. Amen.
Acts 22 NIV 1-21
“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” When they [those accusing Paul] heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.
“About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’
“‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.
“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.
“‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.
“ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.
“A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him. “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’
“When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Quick!’ he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.’
“‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
The Children’s Message as well was about pancakes Saul to Paul….
“Batter’s Up! – Children’s Message for Paul on the Road to Damascus (see Acts 22 etc)
Yum, let’s take a lunch break – yeah maybe we are going out to the park! Maybe let’s pretend to take a journey on a road trip to Damascus… let’s stop to eat! How about some pancakes!!
Yum…. hand out bags of batter…
Wait? Not Done? Oh!
What do we need? To cook them… how about this Electric Skillet?
Let’s pour some batter on it… yum.. pancakes! Wait, not done?
How about we add chocolate chips or blueberries or sprinkles? Yum! Pancakes! Wait, not done?
What needs to happen? Oh! Turn up the heat, the Pancakes are not done yet… OK cooked on one side… done. . Oh! Not Done yet???…
Let me tell you a story about a man who God turned up the heat on… his name was Saul, he was around when Jesus was crucified, risen, and went up to Heaven. He was not a good man, in fact he was so mean to those people who believed in Jesus, because they were afraid of this new “The Way” that Saul had people killed.
Well, Jesus came TO this man, Saul, He came FROM Heaven already ascended after Easter, and picked out this man specifically. For at least 2 BIG reasons for him (and lots more for us) – both to change him AND to give him a mission. 1st reason: change- and Jesus forgave Him when Saul asked for forgiveness. Jesus spoke to him. God “turned up the heat” on Saul and made him blind for a while and completely dependent upon others. Jesus came and spoke to him directly and made him realize how he had been wrong. But he gave him an opportunity to be better. And even to reflect his change in life, and his new mission, Saul went by his roman name Paul (yes they rhyme) … And the 2nd BIG reason Jesus made sure Saul/Paul had this change of heart, was to start teaching both Jews like himself AND non-Jews, who are called Gentiles (and we fall into that category) – teach them both about the Way of Jesus. And how did Paul teach? He traveled, he went to see people, he started churches in communities (like we are a community here)… He wrote letters back to those people and those letters are included in our bibles!
God not only saved him but raised him, like a pancake – done on one side but with more finishing to do. AND God gave him a job, turned his life upside down and put him back on earth – more work to do God put him back on earth. See it is like God slid the lifter – God’s lifter in Jesus – under Him – under his pancake and now flipped sided up, he can be facing God, looking for God’s reasons, Paul could watch Him work
And guess what – God brings Jesus to us too , God has a plan for us. Even after we are saved by Jesus, we are not done yet – we are maturing – striving to be more like Jesus and help lift others up too.
Let us pray: Jesus – You are our light and our lift – You can heal us and keep us in Your Hand with Your Lift. Thank You for helping change that bad man Saul and helping him become a good man Paul – who would write stories about you to all his friends and to us too. Thank You Jesus for teaching us that You are our Savior.
I love how God is in every where at all times… His is the One who is 1+1+1 = infinity – He does the math, not us…
Psalm 111 is key to remember – His Wisdom is what we look for – and we should all try to gain more – but all we really need to start with and know is that He has it! And believe in it.
Praise the Lord.
and AMEN!
…
Praise the Lord
I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness. He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
This is the Psalm 110 that makes the amazing revelation that David knew Jesus before He was born because God revealed to Him the fulfillment of the law and scriptures, of the prophets and petitions…. This Lord of earth knew the Lord of all. this servant was served by Jesus.
“Clear as the Jesus Way”
Plain as day,
God spoke to David in a Jesus Way.
King David knew the TRUE King as a servant each day.
And yet the Lord also served the servant in His Own Way.
The One Lord, was from the beginning, Moses would say,
Indeed Jesus, Holy Spirit, God Almighty, ONE GOD, created the earth and each day.
Jesus ruled, rules, and will rule, all enemies will be judged one day.
Crushed and underfoot, ruling in the midst of enemies, He does say.
“The Lord says to my lord”, oh how often David did pray,
And David (and we) could lift our heads up in the midst of his enemies, HOORAY!
Because Jesus rules in our hearts and shows us the Way.
Drink from the brook along the Way.
Clear Living Water IS the Jesus Way.
Clear as the Jesus Way.
Amen
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Psalm 110
Of David. A psalm.
The Lord says to my lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”
The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying,
So, my mom lost her watch at my house, set it on the bathroom sink before showering, not there afterwards. More weird than anything. More worrying than weird. Frustrating and upsetting. Hmmm…
I pray she finds it, it’s not expensive but a gift, sentimental and of course useful and upsetting to her. Upsetting for the retracing of steps has not found it. Unless it was lost previously, like in one particular trash bag in the car, it should really be in this house or her suitcase. It’s an added worry of memory over movement. Why this issue, except we are human and misplace things…
To whom shall we pray? Let us not misplace our trust in a situation like this. “God is in control” is the painting on the rock on the bathroom sink where she says she placed it, so we both trust that. I have to wonder, did God move it? I am positive that the cat did not take it. Would the cat be useful in pointing it out to us? Only if God intervenes with that cat’s motives. Well… Could I pray for a vision? We really should pray for clarity in thoughts just as much as for the watch. I know St Anthony is the patron saint of lost things in catholicism but isn’t that an added step we DON’T need when we are allowed and encouraged and commanded to DIRECTLY ask Jesus?
Jesus is in Whom we should ask. We need not intercession anymore when we have the intersection and interception of Jesus and us. Even the torn curtain (that used to block the parishioners from the priests), was torn as demonstration on the day and moment Jesus died is the repair of our rift from God. The intersection of old and new covenant bridging old and new testaments means Jesus IS the Way.
What about this watch? I would be fulfilled to find it, on my knees in prayer as much as reaching under things. I don’t have time yet to tear my house apart. It make more physical sense if it was lost outside the house, but it’s a double secured band. It’s a mystery of memory, and just weird. It’s only after we find it that we will solve the mystery, or not. But in contrast, Jesus solves our mystery as we find Him in faith. It is still mysterious the in-between, but the finding is real. He even looks for us everywhere, even when we don’t know that we are lost. His Intercept is His Intention. No intercession needed by anyone else from inception of God’s Plan.
Interception
Intention
Information
Intersection
In the asking…
Jesus, because we praise You, help my mom or me find peace first and the watch second. It’s a watch of You more than a wrist watch… and always our time is well spent praying to you.
Amen
…
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.… Mark 13:33
Great PROMISE power in the Healing of the Nations.
Great MOTIVATION power in Heaven’s Hope.
HEAVENS HOPE is HELD WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
Nothing is withheld by Jesus – the curtain is torn – our lives are reborn.
POWER IN THE BLOOD, POWER IN THE BLOOD…
Amen
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5
Debbie Upper 