leviticus 26:6 “‘I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country.
I can remember a time when I had no peace... I couldn't sleep... I couldn't think straight because there was so much turmoil in my life and moreso in my spirit.... I vividly remember that when I left my marriage the main thought in my head was... there is nothing in life worth more than peace of mind... yet at that time I really still didn't have much... I still was jumping at every noise.. I still was hiding my purse every night.. I still was worried all the time about what might come...
one of the most valuable lessons I think I learned when my life was in complete upheaval was the ability to laugh at all situations.. bear and deonna and me could find humor in ANYTHING... it didn't matter what it was.. we were laughing about it... deonna busted a man in the head with a coffee cup.. causing him to need like 30some stitches in his head... she left him at the hospital with a towel wrapped around his head so she didn't get charged with it... big greg chases jay around town with a huge board with nails coming out of it.. I am crying and asking bumpy to save him... none of those stories funny... yet we laughed and laughed and laughed... I think laughter healed us from much of our tragedy... I was going to a psychiatrist after jay died.. she asks to see deonna.. deonna goes in there and tells all these intimate details of stuff she lived through... I am looking at her like she lost her whole mind... what would possess her to tell all her business to a stranger like that?? she tells me that I'm wasting my time if I go and don't tell what's really going on... we laughed about that... the psychiatrist tells me before I quit going to her that I tell a story of something that happened to me as though it happened to a stranger... and she didn't seem to feel that was good.. she felt I live my life in 3rd person... (thus the naming of sueann.. my alter ego...)
but scripture tells us that if we turn from our sin.. repent and are forgiven.. then God will grant peace in our land.. that no one will make us afraid... that is completely the truth... I have peace now like never before in my life... I don't fear anyone but God pretty much...
peace is one of the greatest gifts a person can receive... thank you Lord.. for peace in my land.. and no one making me afraid.. He has removed all the wild beasts and the sword is not in my country... I am thankful... I am at rest...
Friday, September 30, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Hebrews 10: 26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 28 For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. 30 For we know the one who said,“I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.” 31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
we can't think we can live any type of way and still be all right with God... I understand that we all fall short.. daily even.. I do too.. but the difference is.. where is our mind? are we thinking about the next thing we will do that isn't living up to God's way? or are we striving to stay away from it.. I fall too.. but it isn't premediated.. I fall because I am weak sometimes.. sometimes my humanness gets the best of me.. and I have to repent and strive all over again to be holy and righteous... this scripture is for the way I used to be... I used to think I could talk any way.. treat people any way... do anything.. I thought as long as I read my bible and prayed that my actions didn't matter.. and that was wrong.. I was trapped and enslaved by sin... now I can do my best to do right.. .and sometimes I succeed.. sometimes I don't.. but I am constantly striving toward the high calling.. striving toward Christ...
I am working toward endurance.. working to be more Christ like by the day... I pray you are too...
32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
we can't think we can live any type of way and still be all right with God... I understand that we all fall short.. daily even.. I do too.. but the difference is.. where is our mind? are we thinking about the next thing we will do that isn't living up to God's way? or are we striving to stay away from it.. I fall too.. but it isn't premediated.. I fall because I am weak sometimes.. sometimes my humanness gets the best of me.. and I have to repent and strive all over again to be holy and righteous... this scripture is for the way I used to be... I used to think I could talk any way.. treat people any way... do anything.. I thought as long as I read my bible and prayed that my actions didn't matter.. and that was wrong.. I was trapped and enslaved by sin... now I can do my best to do right.. .and sometimes I succeed.. sometimes I don't.. but I am constantly striving toward the high calling.. striving toward Christ...
I am working toward endurance.. working to be more Christ like by the day... I pray you are too...
Saturday, September 24, 2011
what shall I fear?
Joshua 4: 23 For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. 24 He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.”
Job 4: 13 It came to me in a disturbing vision at night, when people are in a deep sleep. 14 Fear gripped me, and my bones trembled. 15 A spirit swept past my face, and my hair stood on end.
Psalms 118: 6 The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? 7 Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
I was thinking about fear this week... I was thinking about me.. and questioning what really makes me afraid? I am not an exceptionally fearful person... I see things that most people don't.. so I am not really a fearful person... in this life I have learned that no matter what the situation is.. no matter how it ends.. God is going to take care of me.. if I have no money and no house.. somehow He will provide a way.. I have seen this happen in my life repeatedly... I trust this... if someone is against me.. He will move them somehow someway.. I have seen this repeatedly.. I trust this too... so what do I fear?
well.. I do have a healthy fear of God.. some would call it reverence.. I am telling you it is fear... I know for sure and for certain that if He got mad enough.. He has the ability to smite me... He is still the same God of the old testament.. I know from the bible that this is not His desire.. but if I continue to disobey Him.. well.. He certainly can do whatever He wants... so I fear going against Him...
I have terrible fear of being hurt by a man.. which is in actuality silly... I have been hurt physically by a man... I have been hurt emotionally too.. but I have never been destroyed by this type of hurt.. always.. God gives me a resilient heart.. and I get over it... sometimes it takes longer than other times... depending on the expectation involved...
I don't think we are born with fear... I think it is something learned... I am not sure that everyone learns it... my son never has learned it.. and surely he should have by now... even as a baby will crawl right off the end of a bed.. they have no fear.. you can thrown them in the air.. they have no fear of falling.. but as they get older.. they get afraid... so I am thinking fear is something learned... you get burned.. you stay away from the fire type of thing...
but I am not sure this was God's plan... I am thinking.. the only thing we are supposed to fear is God.. I think if we are obedient to God.. following in His path... (as best we know..) then we have nothing to fear.. God has told us that He will protect us.. what can man do to us if we are in God's will? if we are obedient to Him? now that is not to say that nothing hurtful will ever happen to us.. even in God's plan He will allow trials and tribulations to come.. this is what keeps us focused on Him I feel.. learning and growing in Him.. but we can know that whatever it is.. He has brought us to it.. because we are in His will.. and He will also bring us out of it victoriously...
this is going to be my new motto... I am determined...
Job 4: 13 It came to me in a disturbing vision at night, when people are in a deep sleep. 14 Fear gripped me, and my bones trembled. 15 A spirit swept past my face, and my hair stood on end.
Psalms 118: 6 The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? 7 Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
I was thinking about fear this week... I was thinking about me.. and questioning what really makes me afraid? I am not an exceptionally fearful person... I see things that most people don't.. so I am not really a fearful person... in this life I have learned that no matter what the situation is.. no matter how it ends.. God is going to take care of me.. if I have no money and no house.. somehow He will provide a way.. I have seen this happen in my life repeatedly... I trust this... if someone is against me.. He will move them somehow someway.. I have seen this repeatedly.. I trust this too... so what do I fear?
well.. I do have a healthy fear of God.. some would call it reverence.. I am telling you it is fear... I know for sure and for certain that if He got mad enough.. He has the ability to smite me... He is still the same God of the old testament.. I know from the bible that this is not His desire.. but if I continue to disobey Him.. well.. He certainly can do whatever He wants... so I fear going against Him...
I have terrible fear of being hurt by a man.. which is in actuality silly... I have been hurt physically by a man... I have been hurt emotionally too.. but I have never been destroyed by this type of hurt.. always.. God gives me a resilient heart.. and I get over it... sometimes it takes longer than other times... depending on the expectation involved...
I don't think we are born with fear... I think it is something learned... I am not sure that everyone learns it... my son never has learned it.. and surely he should have by now... even as a baby will crawl right off the end of a bed.. they have no fear.. you can thrown them in the air.. they have no fear of falling.. but as they get older.. they get afraid... so I am thinking fear is something learned... you get burned.. you stay away from the fire type of thing...
but I am not sure this was God's plan... I am thinking.. the only thing we are supposed to fear is God.. I think if we are obedient to God.. following in His path... (as best we know..) then we have nothing to fear.. God has told us that He will protect us.. what can man do to us if we are in God's will? if we are obedient to Him? now that is not to say that nothing hurtful will ever happen to us.. even in God's plan He will allow trials and tribulations to come.. this is what keeps us focused on Him I feel.. learning and growing in Him.. but we can know that whatever it is.. He has brought us to it.. because we are in His will.. and He will also bring us out of it victoriously...
this is going to be my new motto... I am determined...
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Psalms 44: 9-26
9 But now you have tossed us aside in dishonor. You no longer lead our armies to battle. 10 You make us retreat from our enemies and allow those who hate us to plunder our land. 11 You have butchered us like sheep and scattered us among the nations. 12 You sold your precious people for a pittance, making nothing on the sale. 13 You let our neighbors mock us. We are an object of scorn and derision to those round us. 14 You have made us the butt of their jokes; they shake their heads at us in scorn. 15 We can’t escape the constant humiliation; shame is written across our faces. 16 All we hear are the taunts of our mockers. All we see are our vengeful enemies.
17 All this has happened though we have not forgotten you. We have not violated your covenant. 18 Our hearts have not deserted you. We have not strayed from your path. 19 Yet you have crushed us in the jackal’s desert home. You have covered us with darkness and death. 20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods, 21 God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart. 22 But for your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.
23 Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Get up! Do not reject us forever.
24 Why do you look the other way? Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression? 25 We collapse in the dust, lying face down in the dirt. 26 Rise up! Help us! Ransom us because of your unfailing love.
if we are attacked.. if we are falling apart... if everything is a mess.. and we are not following God.. then biblically it is our own fault.. we have been given this covenant of blessing and curse.. if we do right by God.. we are to be blessed.. if we do wrong.. we are to be cursed.. but what about the times that you don't do wrong.. you stay on the right path.. doing the right thing... and everything still fell apart... I am guessing the is the issue that the psalmist is going through.. and that we all would feel...
why would God do this? what possible reason would He have? and is this going against the covenant that He promised us? well I know that God is a God of His word.. so surely He is not going against His covenant.. but He also never promised that we will never have battle or never have wars... even the greatest of the kings and prophets still had wars and battles... so it doesn't mean that God has left us.. just because things don't look like we want them to.. doesn't mean that God is not still on the throne.. that He doesn't still love us... He surely still does... the issue is I'm thinking.. we learn the most in battle... we surrender the most during a fight.. we give in and finally say... okay Lord.. whatever you want to do is fine with me...
17 All this has happened though we have not forgotten you. We have not violated your covenant. 18 Our hearts have not deserted you. We have not strayed from your path. 19 Yet you have crushed us in the jackal’s desert home. You have covered us with darkness and death. 20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods, 21 God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart. 22 But for your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.
23 Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Get up! Do not reject us forever.
24 Why do you look the other way? Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression? 25 We collapse in the dust, lying face down in the dirt. 26 Rise up! Help us! Ransom us because of your unfailing love.
if we are attacked.. if we are falling apart... if everything is a mess.. and we are not following God.. then biblically it is our own fault.. we have been given this covenant of blessing and curse.. if we do right by God.. we are to be blessed.. if we do wrong.. we are to be cursed.. but what about the times that you don't do wrong.. you stay on the right path.. doing the right thing... and everything still fell apart... I am guessing the is the issue that the psalmist is going through.. and that we all would feel...
why would God do this? what possible reason would He have? and is this going against the covenant that He promised us? well I know that God is a God of His word.. so surely He is not going against His covenant.. but He also never promised that we will never have battle or never have wars... even the greatest of the kings and prophets still had wars and battles... so it doesn't mean that God has left us.. just because things don't look like we want them to.. doesn't mean that God is not still on the throne.. that He doesn't still love us... He surely still does... the issue is I'm thinking.. we learn the most in battle... we surrender the most during a fight.. we give in and finally say... okay Lord.. whatever you want to do is fine with me...
Saturday, September 17, 2011
John 12: 23-29
23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” 29 When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.
apparently.. Jesus sometimes felt just like we do.. and just like he continued on to be the savior of the world.. you and I will continue on and do the will of God in our lives.. even though it seems to be crushing us...
verse 24-25 let us know that for something to live.. something must die... I wouldn't have wanted the thing to die to be me.. yet as I die to self.. that is how Christ is born in me...
verse 27 hits me the most... He didn't want to die on the cross.. He wanted to be able to live... yet He gave up His will so that we all can live... as we have to give up our will for Christ to live again through us...
27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” 29 When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.
apparently.. Jesus sometimes felt just like we do.. and just like he continued on to be the savior of the world.. you and I will continue on and do the will of God in our lives.. even though it seems to be crushing us...
verse 24-25 let us know that for something to live.. something must die... I wouldn't have wanted the thing to die to be me.. yet as I die to self.. that is how Christ is born in me...
verse 27 hits me the most... He didn't want to die on the cross.. He wanted to be able to live... yet He gave up His will so that we all can live... as we have to give up our will for Christ to live again through us...
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Job 40:1-14
1 Then the Lord said to Job,2 “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”
3 Then Job replied to the Lord,4 “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. 5 I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”
I had this revelation for myself yesterday... strange how pride slips up on us.. we aren't even thinking we are becoming full of ourselves.. then we are broken and realize.. I am nothing.. who am I to answer the Lord.. to question His ways.. His will... His plans... who am I? I am no one... I have no rights.. I deserve nothing... yet God gives me air every single day... the purpose of the air He puts in my lungs daily is to bring glory to Him.. yet some how.. some way.. some days... I get focused on what I feel like instead of being thankful to be chosen... I get focused on me being a good person.. and I have changed SO MUCH.. I have done EVERY CRAZY THING He asked me to do... yet.. I am irrelevant... if I were to die tomorrow.. would I have made a positive lasting impression on the generation to come... would I be told.. well done.. good and faithful servant... or would He say that I was too focused on what I wanted to be any good to what He wanted...
that is an ugly realization... yet it is the truth... the bible says that God ALLOWED satan to sift Job like the wind.. God believed Job was strong enought to stand up to the things he was about to go through... am I being sifted... and more importantly.. am I standing strong in my faith.. a shining example despite what I feel...
6 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:7 “Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.
8 “Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right? 9 Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like his? 10 All right, put on your glory and splendor,
your honor and majesty. 11 Give vent to your anger. Let it overflow against the proud.12 Humiliate the proud with a glance; walk on the wicked where they stand. 13 Bury them in the dust. Imprison them in the world of the dead. 14 Then even I would praise you, for your own strength would save you.
consider how awesome and great God really is... can we stand in His presence and be full of self.. full of pride.. I don't think so... I think when we are faced with His greatness... He IS the Great I AM... and I am nothing... I bow in His presence.. thankful that He decided to look at me.. despite who I am... and the things I have done...
3 Then Job replied to the Lord,4 “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. 5 I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”
I had this revelation for myself yesterday... strange how pride slips up on us.. we aren't even thinking we are becoming full of ourselves.. then we are broken and realize.. I am nothing.. who am I to answer the Lord.. to question His ways.. His will... His plans... who am I? I am no one... I have no rights.. I deserve nothing... yet God gives me air every single day... the purpose of the air He puts in my lungs daily is to bring glory to Him.. yet some how.. some way.. some days... I get focused on what I feel like instead of being thankful to be chosen... I get focused on me being a good person.. and I have changed SO MUCH.. I have done EVERY CRAZY THING He asked me to do... yet.. I am irrelevant... if I were to die tomorrow.. would I have made a positive lasting impression on the generation to come... would I be told.. well done.. good and faithful servant... or would He say that I was too focused on what I wanted to be any good to what He wanted...
that is an ugly realization... yet it is the truth... the bible says that God ALLOWED satan to sift Job like the wind.. God believed Job was strong enought to stand up to the things he was about to go through... am I being sifted... and more importantly.. am I standing strong in my faith.. a shining example despite what I feel...
6 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:7 “Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.
8 “Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right? 9 Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like his? 10 All right, put on your glory and splendor,
your honor and majesty. 11 Give vent to your anger. Let it overflow against the proud.12 Humiliate the proud with a glance; walk on the wicked where they stand. 13 Bury them in the dust. Imprison them in the world of the dead. 14 Then even I would praise you, for your own strength would save you.
consider how awesome and great God really is... can we stand in His presence and be full of self.. full of pride.. I don't think so... I think when we are faced with His greatness... He IS the Great I AM... and I am nothing... I bow in His presence.. thankful that He decided to look at me.. despite who I am... and the things I have done...
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Proverbs 2: 12-22
12 You will be kept from the sinful man, and from the man who causes much trouble by what he says. 13 You will be kept from the man who leaves the right way to walk in the ways of darkness, 14 from the one who is happy doing wrong, and who finds joy in the way of sin. 15 His ways are not straight and are not good.
I have someone in my own life that is constantly stirring up strife.. wanting people to question how someone lives.. wanting people to allow her to destroy someone's reputation... the scripture is saying that we will be protected from this type of person.. yet clearly that is not ALWAYS the case... I do believe that God's justice will prevail.. I believe this person will be struck down by God in some form.. when He gets ready...
worse yet.. I could have been considered this type of person to some degree in my past.. I was a drama queen.. always stirring up dissention... usually mine were truths though.. I didn't take a piece of a small truth and run with it... I took a whole truth and told everyone... either way... I surely paid the price for my wrong.. and I know that others will too...
sometimes we wonder why we have so many haters... as I did in the past... this was surely part of the problem... don't get me wrong.. I still have haters.. just not as many and now they pretend they don't hate me.. LOL.. I'm not sure which is worse...
16 You will be saved from the strange woman, from the sinful woman with her smooth words. 17 She leaves the husband she had when she was young, and forgets the agreement with her God. 18 For her house goes down to death, and her steps lead to the dead. 19 None who go to her return again, and they do not find the paths of life.
apparently.. this is the day to put me on blast... I was this woman too... of course not the forgets the husband part.. as the man I chose was a whole other evil... yet if I look at the 'relationships' (term used loosely) I was in... I was death... I acted godly one minute and a fallen woman the next... I thank God for revelation and change in my own life...
20 So may you walk in the way of good men, and keep to the paths of those who are right and good. 21 For those who are right with God will live in the land. The men without blame will stay in it, 22 but the sinful will be destroyed from the land, and those who are not faithful will be taken away from it.
I try to walk in the way of good men and women.. I strive to be all God calls me to be... the spiritual battle some days is more than I can overcome it feels.. .yet I struggle forward... I desire God above all things.. that is the truth... He gives me a peace and a stability that I never had before... man cannot give you this.. the world cannot give you this... only God... I would not trade it for the world...
I have someone in my own life that is constantly stirring up strife.. wanting people to question how someone lives.. wanting people to allow her to destroy someone's reputation... the scripture is saying that we will be protected from this type of person.. yet clearly that is not ALWAYS the case... I do believe that God's justice will prevail.. I believe this person will be struck down by God in some form.. when He gets ready...
worse yet.. I could have been considered this type of person to some degree in my past.. I was a drama queen.. always stirring up dissention... usually mine were truths though.. I didn't take a piece of a small truth and run with it... I took a whole truth and told everyone... either way... I surely paid the price for my wrong.. and I know that others will too...
sometimes we wonder why we have so many haters... as I did in the past... this was surely part of the problem... don't get me wrong.. I still have haters.. just not as many and now they pretend they don't hate me.. LOL.. I'm not sure which is worse...
16 You will be saved from the strange woman, from the sinful woman with her smooth words. 17 She leaves the husband she had when she was young, and forgets the agreement with her God. 18 For her house goes down to death, and her steps lead to the dead. 19 None who go to her return again, and they do not find the paths of life.
apparently.. this is the day to put me on blast... I was this woman too... of course not the forgets the husband part.. as the man I chose was a whole other evil... yet if I look at the 'relationships' (term used loosely) I was in... I was death... I acted godly one minute and a fallen woman the next... I thank God for revelation and change in my own life...
20 So may you walk in the way of good men, and keep to the paths of those who are right and good. 21 For those who are right with God will live in the land. The men without blame will stay in it, 22 but the sinful will be destroyed from the land, and those who are not faithful will be taken away from it.
I try to walk in the way of good men and women.. I strive to be all God calls me to be... the spiritual battle some days is more than I can overcome it feels.. .yet I struggle forward... I desire God above all things.. that is the truth... He gives me a peace and a stability that I never had before... man cannot give you this.. the world cannot give you this... only God... I would not trade it for the world...
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Proverbs 2: 1-11
1 My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3 Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. 8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.
9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. 11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
you know what I thought about when reading this.... "Just because we know right.. Doesn't mean we will do right..." I have had many days... even now.. that I know what is the RIGHT thing to do... yet I don't always do it... I will say that I do it more often than I did in the past... but I still am not always the one to do the right thing...
I can usually always give someone the right advice... the right way to do something.. but that surely doesn't mean that I will always do it... and that is ridiculous because... as in the scripture above... we SEARCH for understanding and wisdom.. for God's way of doing something.. then we turn around and do something else? after we searched for the right answer?? what is that really about??
it says wise choice will watch over you and understanding will keep you safe... I am sure that is the truth... if only we could do what we know we should do... wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will fill you with joy....
it's funny.. we think about the Israelites.. especially during the time they left egypt.. and we think ugh!! come on people!! don't you trust God yet?? don't you see all the times He has provided a miracle to pul you out... how dumb can you be??? you keep going into bonage because you turn from God.... and look at us... going into bondage of another sort.. over and over.. after God has reached down and drug us up out...
self... selfishness... self love.. self pity... this is why we sin... if we can ever get over ourselves.. ever get over wanting to feel good... that would be the key... the key is not knowledge.. it is the ability to deny self...
yesterday I had decided to do a 3 day fast... I have been feeling led to a fast for a few weeks now... and I openly admit that I would rather fast anything other than food... I determined that in this 3 days of fasting... I would read the word and pray morning noon and again at night... seeking God... desiring Him...
I will have you know that I didn't last even 1/2 a day... as far as the fasting food part goes... and truth told.. I didn't eat because I was hungry... it was a mental thing.. I just could not deny myself food... I rationalized.. saying... I have given up EVERYTHING... even sugar and white flour on the food front... I don't want to give up not one more thing... God doesn't really care if we starve ourselves for a day....
then in the evening.. comes that still small voice... telling me.. it really has nothing to do with food... it has to do with the inner me... the fact that I don't want to deny myself in the name of Christ... the fact that I can SAY that God is everything to me and can't go even one day without eating... it is really about putting me first... not God... even to the degree of needing to control what I eat... what I don't eat... because the food is irrelevant.. we are made to eat... we need to eat to be nourished... it is about the fact that I don't want to suffer even something this minor for God...
and I was very disgusted with my selfish self....
now do I think this is the end of the road... surely not... I will get up again and try again.. this time with the mindset that I do this because I really do love the Lord and desire to be in communion with Him... even to the point of denying myself food for a short while....
so none of our failures are the end.. they are just a new beginning... using Christ as the focus to walk through it.. instead of our own will.. our own thought that we can do it on our own...
and ask for understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. 8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.
9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. 11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
you know what I thought about when reading this.... "Just because we know right.. Doesn't mean we will do right..." I have had many days... even now.. that I know what is the RIGHT thing to do... yet I don't always do it... I will say that I do it more often than I did in the past... but I still am not always the one to do the right thing...
I can usually always give someone the right advice... the right way to do something.. but that surely doesn't mean that I will always do it... and that is ridiculous because... as in the scripture above... we SEARCH for understanding and wisdom.. for God's way of doing something.. then we turn around and do something else? after we searched for the right answer?? what is that really about??
it says wise choice will watch over you and understanding will keep you safe... I am sure that is the truth... if only we could do what we know we should do... wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will fill you with joy....
it's funny.. we think about the Israelites.. especially during the time they left egypt.. and we think ugh!! come on people!! don't you trust God yet?? don't you see all the times He has provided a miracle to pul you out... how dumb can you be??? you keep going into bonage because you turn from God.... and look at us... going into bondage of another sort.. over and over.. after God has reached down and drug us up out...
self... selfishness... self love.. self pity... this is why we sin... if we can ever get over ourselves.. ever get over wanting to feel good... that would be the key... the key is not knowledge.. it is the ability to deny self...
yesterday I had decided to do a 3 day fast... I have been feeling led to a fast for a few weeks now... and I openly admit that I would rather fast anything other than food... I determined that in this 3 days of fasting... I would read the word and pray morning noon and again at night... seeking God... desiring Him...
I will have you know that I didn't last even 1/2 a day... as far as the fasting food part goes... and truth told.. I didn't eat because I was hungry... it was a mental thing.. I just could not deny myself food... I rationalized.. saying... I have given up EVERYTHING... even sugar and white flour on the food front... I don't want to give up not one more thing... God doesn't really care if we starve ourselves for a day....
then in the evening.. comes that still small voice... telling me.. it really has nothing to do with food... it has to do with the inner me... the fact that I don't want to deny myself in the name of Christ... the fact that I can SAY that God is everything to me and can't go even one day without eating... it is really about putting me first... not God... even to the degree of needing to control what I eat... what I don't eat... because the food is irrelevant.. we are made to eat... we need to eat to be nourished... it is about the fact that I don't want to suffer even something this minor for God...
and I was very disgusted with my selfish self....
now do I think this is the end of the road... surely not... I will get up again and try again.. this time with the mindset that I do this because I really do love the Lord and desire to be in communion with Him... even to the point of denying myself food for a short while....
so none of our failures are the end.. they are just a new beginning... using Christ as the focus to walk through it.. instead of our own will.. our own thought that we can do it on our own...
Monday, September 12, 2011
Psalms 15
1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? 2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. 3 Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. 4 Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. 5 Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.
my intention was to just look at a psalm of praise to God's greatness... but 15 was the number I heard... and this is what it said... so maybe the message.. while it still is and ALWAYS is a message of praise to the greatness of Jehovah... maybe it is about our actions too... how can we stand and talk about the righteousness of God and how much we love Him.. how thankful we are that He loves us... how much we love Him... and then we consistantly give in to the flesh and destroy our witness....
I am really talking about myself in this but I imagine we can all see ourselves in this... on Thursday... the pastor started talking about the 7 things God hates.. and one of them was to plot evil in your mind... I tell you the truth... I am SO GUILTY of this!! I don't act on it... I don't even dwell on the thought all that long... (okay.. maybe that is dependent on who it is against...) but I can tell you in DETAIL what I could do to someone.. or watch happening to them....
I remember one day that there was a weight loss thing at my church... it turned out to be a study done by a local hospital about the effects of weight loss and diabetes in black women... but that is not how it was presented... and as a good friend of mine is the head of the medical ministry... she wanted me to come... I come.. and the woman leading it from the hospital asked me am I at all african american (come on now..) and that I cannot participate because I am not... so I go to walk out and I am furious... she tries to follow me.. as sure as I am sitting here writing this.. I SEE myself smashing her head off the cement floor and I tell her to back up.. and she wants to rub my back and tell me that it isn't personal.. or whatever and I look at her obviously with death in my eyes and I tell her to back up off of me NOW.... and she does...
that right there... that is my sin... I saw that as clearly as I see someone standing before me... I have to learn to stop that before it takes hold in my heart...
funny.. we overcome and overcome and yet there is more sin dug down deep with roots attached....
this scripture states that people who regard sin in their hearts cannot enter the sanctuary... sheesh... lucky thing I didn't realize it was sin.. and that I am setting about ending it since I found out...
cover me Father... when I sin unknowingly...point out everything in me that is displeasing to You.. please continue to be patient with me and continue to change me... thank you Lord... I surely don't deserve your goodness toward me...
my intention was to just look at a psalm of praise to God's greatness... but 15 was the number I heard... and this is what it said... so maybe the message.. while it still is and ALWAYS is a message of praise to the greatness of Jehovah... maybe it is about our actions too... how can we stand and talk about the righteousness of God and how much we love Him.. how thankful we are that He loves us... how much we love Him... and then we consistantly give in to the flesh and destroy our witness....
I am really talking about myself in this but I imagine we can all see ourselves in this... on Thursday... the pastor started talking about the 7 things God hates.. and one of them was to plot evil in your mind... I tell you the truth... I am SO GUILTY of this!! I don't act on it... I don't even dwell on the thought all that long... (okay.. maybe that is dependent on who it is against...) but I can tell you in DETAIL what I could do to someone.. or watch happening to them....
I remember one day that there was a weight loss thing at my church... it turned out to be a study done by a local hospital about the effects of weight loss and diabetes in black women... but that is not how it was presented... and as a good friend of mine is the head of the medical ministry... she wanted me to come... I come.. and the woman leading it from the hospital asked me am I at all african american (come on now..) and that I cannot participate because I am not... so I go to walk out and I am furious... she tries to follow me.. as sure as I am sitting here writing this.. I SEE myself smashing her head off the cement floor and I tell her to back up.. and she wants to rub my back and tell me that it isn't personal.. or whatever and I look at her obviously with death in my eyes and I tell her to back up off of me NOW.... and she does...
that right there... that is my sin... I saw that as clearly as I see someone standing before me... I have to learn to stop that before it takes hold in my heart...
funny.. we overcome and overcome and yet there is more sin dug down deep with roots attached....
this scripture states that people who regard sin in their hearts cannot enter the sanctuary... sheesh... lucky thing I didn't realize it was sin.. and that I am setting about ending it since I found out...
cover me Father... when I sin unknowingly...point out everything in me that is displeasing to You.. please continue to be patient with me and continue to change me... thank you Lord... I surely don't deserve your goodness toward me...
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Proverbs 1: 1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,to help them understand the insights of the wise. 3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. 4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance 6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. NLT
I think about solomon.. and the first thought that I have of him is the thought that his mother must have really been an amazing woman... we realize that his mother had to have taught him some of the wisdom he had.. he says this in proverbs.. when he talks about women he talks about what his mother taught him to look for or not look for in a woman.. and while we may all desire to be that proverbs 31 woman.. that is a tall order to fill.... really tall.... david of course would have taught him of his own great love for God... he would have taught him to praise and worship.. to trust in God at all times... because these were david's strong points in his walk with God... along with his leadership abilites... on top of the things that his mother and father taught him... he asked God for wisdom.. above all things he wanted sense to know what was right... bigger even than the knowledge of what is right... is the strength to walk into it... to me anyways...
God gave solomon all the wisdom ever known to man.. no one ever was as wise as him again.. yet somehow.. with all of his wisdom.. he allowed the lure of the world to weaken him.... what is wrong with us... what is it that we think this world or the ruler of it can give us that is of value... you know what.. it is of value... just not ETERNAL value.. how often are we centered on today and not forever... we can think of how good something will feel.. we can think of what we deserve... of how good a person we think we are and so we deserve something.... if we will daily look to the word of God as the compass for our lives... instead of what our friends say.. or what we remember something feeling like... then we can get further..
I agree it is hard.. I want to be loved by a man.. I want to be held... if I am being honest.. I want sexual fulfillment... some days I want the sex more than the love... but after you come down off that.. what is left... other than the lonely feeling...
if we can get past these feelings... if we can be satisfied in God's love for us... if we can learn to become comfortable with just me and God and not always need another voice or another body... wouldn't we probably make such smarter decisions.... the drive to not be alone is enough to kill people sometimes... look at how many women solomon had... was that about sex.. was that about companionship.. was it about owning all the most beautiful things in the world... having everything that everyone else wanted... when you read your bible it really doesn't talk about any of the great patriarchs having friends that they talked things out with like we think we need to.. they talked to God about everything... they didn't look toward man for wisdom...
in the end... solomon was turned from his commitment to God by the things of the world... as wise as he was... as much as he loved God.. he fell away in the end... this is a hard road.. to live our lives for God and not for self... you wonder.. why would God even give us the thoughts of self.... why not just make us with a God centered nature... I think He wanted us to choose Him over self... I think He wanted us to decide to love Him more than anything else... Lord.. I pray that you make us strong enough to endure to the end.. and keep You first.. at all times...
I think about solomon.. and the first thought that I have of him is the thought that his mother must have really been an amazing woman... we realize that his mother had to have taught him some of the wisdom he had.. he says this in proverbs.. when he talks about women he talks about what his mother taught him to look for or not look for in a woman.. and while we may all desire to be that proverbs 31 woman.. that is a tall order to fill.... really tall.... david of course would have taught him of his own great love for God... he would have taught him to praise and worship.. to trust in God at all times... because these were david's strong points in his walk with God... along with his leadership abilites... on top of the things that his mother and father taught him... he asked God for wisdom.. above all things he wanted sense to know what was right... bigger even than the knowledge of what is right... is the strength to walk into it... to me anyways...
God gave solomon all the wisdom ever known to man.. no one ever was as wise as him again.. yet somehow.. with all of his wisdom.. he allowed the lure of the world to weaken him.... what is wrong with us... what is it that we think this world or the ruler of it can give us that is of value... you know what.. it is of value... just not ETERNAL value.. how often are we centered on today and not forever... we can think of how good something will feel.. we can think of what we deserve... of how good a person we think we are and so we deserve something.... if we will daily look to the word of God as the compass for our lives... instead of what our friends say.. or what we remember something feeling like... then we can get further..
I agree it is hard.. I want to be loved by a man.. I want to be held... if I am being honest.. I want sexual fulfillment... some days I want the sex more than the love... but after you come down off that.. what is left... other than the lonely feeling...
if we can get past these feelings... if we can be satisfied in God's love for us... if we can learn to become comfortable with just me and God and not always need another voice or another body... wouldn't we probably make such smarter decisions.... the drive to not be alone is enough to kill people sometimes... look at how many women solomon had... was that about sex.. was that about companionship.. was it about owning all the most beautiful things in the world... having everything that everyone else wanted... when you read your bible it really doesn't talk about any of the great patriarchs having friends that they talked things out with like we think we need to.. they talked to God about everything... they didn't look toward man for wisdom...
in the end... solomon was turned from his commitment to God by the things of the world... as wise as he was... as much as he loved God.. he fell away in the end... this is a hard road.. to live our lives for God and not for self... you wonder.. why would God even give us the thoughts of self.... why not just make us with a God centered nature... I think He wanted us to choose Him over self... I think He wanted us to decide to love Him more than anything else... Lord.. I pray that you make us strong enough to endure to the end.. and keep You first.. at all times...
Thursday, September 8, 2011
1 Thessalonians 2: 17-20
17 Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again. 18 We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us. 19 After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! 20 Yes, you are our pride and joy.
to me.. this is the way God works things... we want to be part of someone's future... and sometimes we are only a small piece of the present that changes them for their future and purpose... we can all think of people who were only in our life for a season... one of the people that taught me to really hear the Spirit... I mean really hear it and believe it... was only for a season.. and it broke my heart.. I thought of her as one of my best friends ever.. yet I had to let go and move forward... sometimes when we hold on too long it will hold us back... we stop growing because maybe that person is ahead of where you were when you met them.. but not at the level you are going to... and it is hurtful... yet it is the way of God...
for many of these churches.. paul's intention was to set up a church then make rounds.. yet for some of them he was never able to return... the church continued to grow.. the letters sent were added to our bible... and God's will was done... not pauls... sometimes we have to stop trying to hold on to something that God is saying we have outgrown... someone we just can't spiritually connect with anymore...
this doesn't mean that we wouldn't speak.. wouldn't be friendly... it really doesn't even mean that they are not where they are supposed to be... just that the season of closeness is over... that is hard to swallow some days...
we can continue to love someone from the distance.. we can pray for their change and development and walking into their future in Christ.. and they can continue to be our pride and joy... and we walk forward to the next person that needs us....
paul states that satan prevented him from coming... I tend to believe differently... I am of the belief that it is God...
to me.. this is the way God works things... we want to be part of someone's future... and sometimes we are only a small piece of the present that changes them for their future and purpose... we can all think of people who were only in our life for a season... one of the people that taught me to really hear the Spirit... I mean really hear it and believe it... was only for a season.. and it broke my heart.. I thought of her as one of my best friends ever.. yet I had to let go and move forward... sometimes when we hold on too long it will hold us back... we stop growing because maybe that person is ahead of where you were when you met them.. but not at the level you are going to... and it is hurtful... yet it is the way of God...
for many of these churches.. paul's intention was to set up a church then make rounds.. yet for some of them he was never able to return... the church continued to grow.. the letters sent were added to our bible... and God's will was done... not pauls... sometimes we have to stop trying to hold on to something that God is saying we have outgrown... someone we just can't spiritually connect with anymore...
this doesn't mean that we wouldn't speak.. wouldn't be friendly... it really doesn't even mean that they are not where they are supposed to be... just that the season of closeness is over... that is hard to swallow some days...
we can continue to love someone from the distance.. we can pray for their change and development and walking into their future in Christ.. and they can continue to be our pride and joy... and we walk forward to the next person that needs us....
paul states that satan prevented him from coming... I tend to believe differently... I am of the belief that it is God...
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
1 Thessalonians 2: 9-16
9 Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you. 10 You yourselves are our witnesses—and so is God—that we were devout and honest and faultless toward all of you believers. 11 And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. 12 We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory.
do we work hard? are we a burden? do we treat everyone fairly?
he says they encouraged and urged them to live their lives in a way that God would consider worthy because they are called to share in the kingdom and the glory of the Lord... I wonder... when we speak are we encouraging people/children to do better? or are we condemning them for their actions? I think that is one of our greatest faults with our children is that rather than encouraging them we tend to tell them all that is wrong...
13 Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.
how many people do we know that don't really receive the message of God? I know for myself.. I knew God and received Him but on my own terms... I was unwilling to allow Him to change my life... till this past few years... and I can EASILY say that these years have been the happiest and most peaceful....
14 And then, dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. In this way, you imitated the believers in God’s churches in Judea who, because of their belief in Christ Jesus, suffered from their own people, the Jews. 15 For some of the Jews killed the prophets, and some even killed the Lord Jesus. Now they have persecuted us, too. They fail to please God and work against all humanity 16 as they try to keep us from preaching the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles. By doing this, they continue to pile up their sins. But the anger of God has caught up with them at last.
isn't it odd that sometimes.. it is the very ones that proclaim God that persecute those who try to follow Him... I think we are mostly all guilty sometimes... yet we don't think we are... we decide when someone else is 'obsessed' with God.. or maybe we say they are chasing the church and not God... yet who are we... to think we can decide how someone else is to follow God? doesn't God speak to each of us individually?? so don't you think that maybe God just tells them something different than maybe He tells you? I think if all of us were to be serious about our own relationship with God and stop worrying about someone elses.. we may all be better off... God leads us all at the speed we are able to go
do we work hard? are we a burden? do we treat everyone fairly?
he says they encouraged and urged them to live their lives in a way that God would consider worthy because they are called to share in the kingdom and the glory of the Lord... I wonder... when we speak are we encouraging people/children to do better? or are we condemning them for their actions? I think that is one of our greatest faults with our children is that rather than encouraging them we tend to tell them all that is wrong...
13 Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.
how many people do we know that don't really receive the message of God? I know for myself.. I knew God and received Him but on my own terms... I was unwilling to allow Him to change my life... till this past few years... and I can EASILY say that these years have been the happiest and most peaceful....
14 And then, dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. In this way, you imitated the believers in God’s churches in Judea who, because of their belief in Christ Jesus, suffered from their own people, the Jews. 15 For some of the Jews killed the prophets, and some even killed the Lord Jesus. Now they have persecuted us, too. They fail to please God and work against all humanity 16 as they try to keep us from preaching the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles. By doing this, they continue to pile up their sins. But the anger of God has caught up with them at last.
isn't it odd that sometimes.. it is the very ones that proclaim God that persecute those who try to follow Him... I think we are mostly all guilty sometimes... yet we don't think we are... we decide when someone else is 'obsessed' with God.. or maybe we say they are chasing the church and not God... yet who are we... to think we can decide how someone else is to follow God? doesn't God speak to each of us individually?? so don't you think that maybe God just tells them something different than maybe He tells you? I think if all of us were to be serious about our own relationship with God and stop worrying about someone elses.. we may all be better off... God leads us all at the speed we are able to go
Monday, September 5, 2011
1 Thessalonians 2: 1-8
1 You yourselves know, dear brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there. Yet our God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, in spite of great opposition. 3 So you can see we were not preaching with any deceit or impure motives or trickery.
we can all say that we have been treated badly and that we suffered in this life... but not until recently could I say that it has to do with the will of God and not my own wrongdoing... in the past I was treated badly by my family because of bad choices I made.. I was treated badly by my father through no fault of my own... but the majority of the times.. it was about my choices.. or people I allowed in my life treated me badly that should not have been there to begin with... but now... people just don't like me for no reason... I think that is far more hurtful... when they hate you just for being... being somewhere they don't want me to be.. having something they don't want me to have... whatever it is... but I think that paul and whoever was with him were persecuted for preaching about Jesus... and that is amazing... I believe we have persecution now.. but the enemy is so much more slick with it... he tries to make it look like it is about us or something we have done.. yet in the end... we are still hated just because Jesus loves us... how very sad....
4 For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. 5 Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! 6 As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.
our purpose is to please God not people... can or do people say that about us? they should be... even when we look crazy or stupid because we are following what Christ would have us to do... that is still honorable... as for human praise... while it feels good.. it never lasts... they may love you today and hate you tomorrow... God's approval is really what we need to be striving for...
7 As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. 8 We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.
what rights to the people of God have to make demands on you? do you participate in the kingdom of God... do you work in the vineyard of the Lord? or do you... like so many others.. just get what you can and be on your way..... we are to be servants to the most high God... the bible says that God is coming back for His church... if we are not part of a church.. how can we be who He is coming back for? we are responsible for the lives that Christ assigns us to... we are responsible to teach our kids... we are responsible to be a light to others...
we can all say that we have been treated badly and that we suffered in this life... but not until recently could I say that it has to do with the will of God and not my own wrongdoing... in the past I was treated badly by my family because of bad choices I made.. I was treated badly by my father through no fault of my own... but the majority of the times.. it was about my choices.. or people I allowed in my life treated me badly that should not have been there to begin with... but now... people just don't like me for no reason... I think that is far more hurtful... when they hate you just for being... being somewhere they don't want me to be.. having something they don't want me to have... whatever it is... but I think that paul and whoever was with him were persecuted for preaching about Jesus... and that is amazing... I believe we have persecution now.. but the enemy is so much more slick with it... he tries to make it look like it is about us or something we have done.. yet in the end... we are still hated just because Jesus loves us... how very sad....
4 For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. 5 Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! 6 As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.
our purpose is to please God not people... can or do people say that about us? they should be... even when we look crazy or stupid because we are following what Christ would have us to do... that is still honorable... as for human praise... while it feels good.. it never lasts... they may love you today and hate you tomorrow... God's approval is really what we need to be striving for...
7 As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. 8 We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.
what rights to the people of God have to make demands on you? do you participate in the kingdom of God... do you work in the vineyard of the Lord? or do you... like so many others.. just get what you can and be on your way..... we are to be servants to the most high God... the bible says that God is coming back for His church... if we are not part of a church.. how can we be who He is coming back for? we are responsible for the lives that Christ assigns us to... we are responsible to teach our kids... we are responsible to be a light to others...
Sunday, September 4, 2011
1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10
We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. 3 As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.
are we faithful in our work? are our deeds loving? do we have enduring hope?
I would like to say yes to all of these things.. and I imagine that SOME of the time it would be true.. but surely not all the time... I am still a work in progress... but still progressing!
4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. 5 For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 6 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. 7 As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.
an example to all believers because they continue in joy despite their severe suffering... I would like to say that is true of me.. LOL! but we all know that sometimes I get a little panic stricken... a little fearful... a little run down... but I know that today I am much better than I was in the past! and for that I am thankful... having the spirit in power... I think we are all supposed to have the spirit... yet do we pick Him up every day? or do we get the day started on our own without asking to be filled with the spirit of God... and do we realize that we have the same power in us that the apostles had... I have a hard one with that.. I am just regular... what power could I have.... yet the bible says it is true...
8 And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, 9 for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. 10 And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.
I am so thankful to be rescued from the terrors of the coming judgement... so thankful that Jesus was willing to give His life for mine and yours... I pray that when people see me that they see the Christ in me.. not me... I pray that daily I become more christ-like... there is a song called make me invisible... says I want to be invisible so they can't see me just Christ shining out from me...
are we faithful in our work? are our deeds loving? do we have enduring hope?
I would like to say yes to all of these things.. and I imagine that SOME of the time it would be true.. but surely not all the time... I am still a work in progress... but still progressing!
4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. 5 For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 6 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. 7 As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.
an example to all believers because they continue in joy despite their severe suffering... I would like to say that is true of me.. LOL! but we all know that sometimes I get a little panic stricken... a little fearful... a little run down... but I know that today I am much better than I was in the past! and for that I am thankful... having the spirit in power... I think we are all supposed to have the spirit... yet do we pick Him up every day? or do we get the day started on our own without asking to be filled with the spirit of God... and do we realize that we have the same power in us that the apostles had... I have a hard one with that.. I am just regular... what power could I have.... yet the bible says it is true...
8 And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, 9 for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. 10 And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.
I am so thankful to be rescued from the terrors of the coming judgement... so thankful that Jesus was willing to give His life for mine and yours... I pray that when people see me that they see the Christ in me.. not me... I pray that daily I become more christ-like... there is a song called make me invisible... says I want to be invisible so they can't see me just Christ shining out from me...
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Isaiah 3: 12 Childish leaders oppress my people, and women rule over them. O my people, your leaders mislead you; they send you down the wrong road.
Isaiah 4: 1 In that day so few men will be left that seven women will fight for each man, saying, “Let us all marry you! We will provide our own food and clothing. Only let us take your name so we won’t be mocked as old maids.”
where I come from in the Pittsburgh area... and probably wherever you come from too... there are a few men.. who have babies with 6-8 different women.. none of whom they were ever married to... in truth... these men usually never married anyone ever... why would they? they can have all the young girls they want because they have some money and have this reputation... some of their baby mama's are even related...
now somehow... everyone looks at these men and talks about how terrible they are... why is that? why wouldn't you instead look at the females and how silly they are? if a man shows you who he is... and you are all right with it... how are you angry with it after you are with him? that is like.. you have an affair with a married man... and later you are mad he is married... you knew he was married when you started sleeping with him... so how is he the bad guy?
I am not talking about the deceitful man that acts and talks one way and really are another way... I am talking about men that just are what they are and you can accept it or not... never have I slept with one of these men... why would you? what would make you imagine you would mean something more than any of the other females do? this just doesn't make sense to me...
now I am not pretending I am perfect... surely not.. I have chosen several wrong men... and knew they were wrong from the beginning... but how do you say a man is wrong when you knew who he was?
so all these women that come out here talking about how wrong a man is... instead.. look at the woman... a man isn't doing anything a woman isn't allowing.. if women would stop thinking that if they sleep with someone then they will love her... if she could INSTEAD... pick up THE WORD OF GOD... listen to what GOD says about her... find her worth in God and not man... then maybe she wouldn't be so broken and confused....
the bible tells us a man is the head... head of a church.. head of a country.. head of a house... idk where we got this ridiculous idea that a woman is a head... when a woman takes on the role of leadership she loses her place as the HELPMEET of the HEAD...
yea... I know... I am a chauvanist... I am reading wrong... I am surely the one wrong sweetie.. not you... try Jesus.. try His word.. allow Him to put biblical order in your life.. then lets talk again...
Isaiah 4: 1 In that day so few men will be left that seven women will fight for each man, saying, “Let us all marry you! We will provide our own food and clothing. Only let us take your name so we won’t be mocked as old maids.”
where I come from in the Pittsburgh area... and probably wherever you come from too... there are a few men.. who have babies with 6-8 different women.. none of whom they were ever married to... in truth... these men usually never married anyone ever... why would they? they can have all the young girls they want because they have some money and have this reputation... some of their baby mama's are even related...
now somehow... everyone looks at these men and talks about how terrible they are... why is that? why wouldn't you instead look at the females and how silly they are? if a man shows you who he is... and you are all right with it... how are you angry with it after you are with him? that is like.. you have an affair with a married man... and later you are mad he is married... you knew he was married when you started sleeping with him... so how is he the bad guy?
I am not talking about the deceitful man that acts and talks one way and really are another way... I am talking about men that just are what they are and you can accept it or not... never have I slept with one of these men... why would you? what would make you imagine you would mean something more than any of the other females do? this just doesn't make sense to me...
now I am not pretending I am perfect... surely not.. I have chosen several wrong men... and knew they were wrong from the beginning... but how do you say a man is wrong when you knew who he was?
so all these women that come out here talking about how wrong a man is... instead.. look at the woman... a man isn't doing anything a woman isn't allowing.. if women would stop thinking that if they sleep with someone then they will love her... if she could INSTEAD... pick up THE WORD OF GOD... listen to what GOD says about her... find her worth in God and not man... then maybe she wouldn't be so broken and confused....
the bible tells us a man is the head... head of a church.. head of a country.. head of a house... idk where we got this ridiculous idea that a woman is a head... when a woman takes on the role of leadership she loses her place as the HELPMEET of the HEAD...
yea... I know... I am a chauvanist... I am reading wrong... I am surely the one wrong sweetie.. not you... try Jesus.. try His word.. allow Him to put biblical order in your life.. then lets talk again...
Friday, September 2, 2011
Colossians 4: 7-18
7 Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. 9 I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here. 10 Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. 11 Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been! 12 Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. 13 I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
do you see all the people that God aligned with Paul to help him with his purpose... despite where he was.. despite what was going on... he had people he could count on to help him in his assignment... I am thinking that God does that for all of us... and we don't always even realize the value of people in our lives.. or the fact that they were sent by God.. strategically placed to help us move forward in our call...
the one man prayed that God would make them strong and perfect.. and he was fully confident that they were following the whole will of God for their lives... first of all... how diligently do we pray for other people's walk... even if we pray for a church as a whole... then to be confident that they are WHOLLY following the will of God for their lives... sheesh.. sometimes I struggle with whether or not I am doing that... wholly.. how wonderful it would be to be fully confident of this....
14 Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. 15 Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
*side note* nympha's family was truly wrong for giving her that name... where on earth was her father when she was being named??
16 After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them.
pass the letter on... are we passing on the knowledge that God is giving us?? or do we think it is for us alone.. surely it is not...
17 And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”
I wonder if this person was struggling to not give up.. not decide they are not worthy.. or not strong enough... paul tells him be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave him.. would this mean that there are people who because of their unwillingness.. don't fulfill their destiny?? I hate to imagine that.. but now I wonder...
18 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul.
Remember my chains.
remember my chains... why? why remember his chains? is this a remember that following Christ fully is not an easy task? is it to remember that we are slaves to Him... is it to remember that we are all in chains.. bound to this calling.. this walk.. this life... why remember his chains??
May God’s grace be with you.
do you see all the people that God aligned with Paul to help him with his purpose... despite where he was.. despite what was going on... he had people he could count on to help him in his assignment... I am thinking that God does that for all of us... and we don't always even realize the value of people in our lives.. or the fact that they were sent by God.. strategically placed to help us move forward in our call...
the one man prayed that God would make them strong and perfect.. and he was fully confident that they were following the whole will of God for their lives... first of all... how diligently do we pray for other people's walk... even if we pray for a church as a whole... then to be confident that they are WHOLLY following the will of God for their lives... sheesh.. sometimes I struggle with whether or not I am doing that... wholly.. how wonderful it would be to be fully confident of this....
14 Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. 15 Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
*side note* nympha's family was truly wrong for giving her that name... where on earth was her father when she was being named??
16 After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them.
pass the letter on... are we passing on the knowledge that God is giving us?? or do we think it is for us alone.. surely it is not...
17 And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”
I wonder if this person was struggling to not give up.. not decide they are not worthy.. or not strong enough... paul tells him be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave him.. would this mean that there are people who because of their unwillingness.. don't fulfill their destiny?? I hate to imagine that.. but now I wonder...
18 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul.
Remember my chains.
remember my chains... why? why remember his chains? is this a remember that following Christ fully is not an easy task? is it to remember that we are slaves to Him... is it to remember that we are all in chains.. bound to this calling.. this walk.. this life... why remember his chains??
May God’s grace be with you.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Colossians 3:1-17
1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
idk if I really care about sharing in His glory... I don't feel like I really need any glory... I do desire to bring some to God by my life.. I am thankful that I have died to much of this life... yet much of it lives and reigns strong... otherwise circumstances would never upset me... I don't really think alot about heaven... I know that is where I will go... I am just trying to get through the day to day...
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
a greedy person is an idolater... that could be a problem for me.. I am a little greedy.. always wanting something new... wasting money unnecessarily.... I wouldn't say out loud I worship the things of the world... yet why do I need all the new things if I don't?....
I surely don't want the anger of God...
Christ is all that matters and He lives in all of us... well all who are saved anyways... I am thankful about that...
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
God chose us to be holy... we must forgive the one who offends you... patience.. (sorely lacking in that one...) humility.. (a daily struggle...) gentleness... hmmm.. I worked so diligently at being hard.. am I now gentle? I don't know about that...
above all clothe ourselves in love that binds us all together in perfect harmony... and let the peace from Christ rule in your hearts.. sometimes I wonder if I don't have too much peace... hardly anything moves me any more... and when I do get moved or upset.. it is usually about something I shouldn't be worried about...
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
let the message of Christ fill our lives... I think that is truth in my own life now... I rarely talk about anything without bringing God into it... I imagine some people find that annoying...
whatever we do or say.. do it as a representative of the Lord... that should probably change some of the comments that would possibly come out of my mouth.... and I am surely working on that...
idk if I really care about sharing in His glory... I don't feel like I really need any glory... I do desire to bring some to God by my life.. I am thankful that I have died to much of this life... yet much of it lives and reigns strong... otherwise circumstances would never upset me... I don't really think alot about heaven... I know that is where I will go... I am just trying to get through the day to day...
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
a greedy person is an idolater... that could be a problem for me.. I am a little greedy.. always wanting something new... wasting money unnecessarily.... I wouldn't say out loud I worship the things of the world... yet why do I need all the new things if I don't?....
I surely don't want the anger of God...
Christ is all that matters and He lives in all of us... well all who are saved anyways... I am thankful about that...
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
God chose us to be holy... we must forgive the one who offends you... patience.. (sorely lacking in that one...) humility.. (a daily struggle...) gentleness... hmmm.. I worked so diligently at being hard.. am I now gentle? I don't know about that...
above all clothe ourselves in love that binds us all together in perfect harmony... and let the peace from Christ rule in your hearts.. sometimes I wonder if I don't have too much peace... hardly anything moves me any more... and when I do get moved or upset.. it is usually about something I shouldn't be worried about...
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
let the message of Christ fill our lives... I think that is truth in my own life now... I rarely talk about anything without bringing God into it... I imagine some people find that annoying...
whatever we do or say.. do it as a representative of the Lord... that should probably change some of the comments that would possibly come out of my mouth.... and I am surely working on that...
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