James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourself, do what it says.
Don't merely listen to God's word or read it and tuck it away, saying it is wise, it is good.
BUT
do what it says
act on it
put God's word to use
if the word says love your neighbor and your enemy as yourself
do it
if it says to serve others
do it
if it says honor your mother and father
do it
if it says don't lie, cheat
don't do that
if it says be kind to others
do it
if it says to love God with your whole heart, soul and mind
do it
will these things be easy to do?
no, not all of them
maybe not even some of them
but what does God want us to do?
to act and not just listen
to do and not be passive
God's word is alive
it requires action on our part
don't just think about his word
but do it
act upon it
live it
love it
use it to glorify the Lord God.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Job
Job 1:1 In the land of Uz, there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
Job was
blameless - innocent, without guilt, no one would find anything hidden in his past
upright - moral, honorable, righteous, a person of integrity
he feared God - he held God in highest honor, esteem, awe, reverence, respect
he shunned evil - he avoided sin
Yet he lost everything but his life
oxen/donkeys carried off by others (enemies), stolen, servants killed (Job 1:13-16)
sheep/servants burnt by fire from sky (Job 1:16)
camels stolen/servants killed by raiding parties (Job 1:17)
all 10 children killed by mighty wind knocking house down (Job 1:18-20)
Events happened by man and nature
bad things will happen to good people
good things will happen to bad people.
Its how we deal with the bad things that defines us.
Do we wallow in self pity?
Do we curse God?
Do we lose hope?
Do we give up?
Do we blame ourselves or others?
Job praised God (Job 1:21). He got that. It just wasn't all about getting the the good things and praising God for that, but also praising God when disaster and calamity hit.
That didn't mean that he didn't hurt.
That didn't mean he didn't cry.
That didn't mean he didn't wonder why.
But he would not curse God.
He would not blame God.
He continued to hold him in highest esteem.
I need to do the same.
Praise God - no matter what is going on around me.
Job was
blameless - innocent, without guilt, no one would find anything hidden in his past
upright - moral, honorable, righteous, a person of integrity
he feared God - he held God in highest honor, esteem, awe, reverence, respect
he shunned evil - he avoided sin
Yet he lost everything but his life
oxen/donkeys carried off by others (enemies), stolen, servants killed (Job 1:13-16)
sheep/servants burnt by fire from sky (Job 1:16)
camels stolen/servants killed by raiding parties (Job 1:17)
all 10 children killed by mighty wind knocking house down (Job 1:18-20)
Events happened by man and nature
bad things will happen to good people
good things will happen to bad people.
Its how we deal with the bad things that defines us.
Do we wallow in self pity?
Do we curse God?
Do we lose hope?
Do we give up?
Do we blame ourselves or others?
Job praised God (Job 1:21). He got that. It just wasn't all about getting the the good things and praising God for that, but also praising God when disaster and calamity hit.
That didn't mean that he didn't hurt.
That didn't mean he didn't cry.
That didn't mean he didn't wonder why.
But he would not curse God.
He would not blame God.
He continued to hold him in highest esteem.
I need to do the same.
Praise God - no matter what is going on around me.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
meaningless or meaningful
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Now all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter. Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man.
Solomon - known as the wisest man on earth - given wisdom by God in addition to riches and peace in the land during his reign.
Yet despite that - looked back at the end of his life and saw so much of it was meaningless, lacking any apparent purpose.
He had it "all" but it still wasn't enough.
Money
Possessions
Relationships (300 wives/700 concubines)
Wisdom, knowledge
Peace in his country
Prosperity
But he was not content - still was not fulfilled, still questioning his purpose, the meaning of life.
Saw it all - good people suffering, wicked people prospering
Saw death come - the finality of it; we are born naked, we die without taking with us what we toiled for so hard - leaving it behind to someone who might not appreciate it.
He sums it up - to eat, to drink, to be satisfied with one's work, to be glad in their days, then joy will accompany him in the days God has given him.
To simply be content with what God has given him and to be grateful for it.
And his final conclusion that I believe one must sear into their mind, heart and soul.
Fear God (honor him, revere him, respect him, glorify him)
Keep his commandments (his laws, precepts, word)
For this is the whole duty (purpose) of man (me).
Without doing so - one's life is meaningless (lacking any apparent purpose, empty, worthless, futile).
No matter what we achieve in fame, fortune, possession or the good we may even do to others
because all of that will be forgotten after we die, subsequent generations will not know us or remember us, but where we stand with God, what we think of him, whether we accept Jesus as our Savior, that is eternal worth, that is meaningful, that is is purpose and that is how we should live (loving God and making him known) in our days under the sun, of which there really are so few, no matter how many years we live.
May I live a meaningful life, Lord, for your glory.
Solomon - known as the wisest man on earth - given wisdom by God in addition to riches and peace in the land during his reign.
Yet despite that - looked back at the end of his life and saw so much of it was meaningless, lacking any apparent purpose.
He had it "all" but it still wasn't enough.
Money
Possessions
Relationships (300 wives/700 concubines)
Wisdom, knowledge
Peace in his country
Prosperity
But he was not content - still was not fulfilled, still questioning his purpose, the meaning of life.
Saw it all - good people suffering, wicked people prospering
Saw death come - the finality of it; we are born naked, we die without taking with us what we toiled for so hard - leaving it behind to someone who might not appreciate it.
He sums it up - to eat, to drink, to be satisfied with one's work, to be glad in their days, then joy will accompany him in the days God has given him.
To simply be content with what God has given him and to be grateful for it.
And his final conclusion that I believe one must sear into their mind, heart and soul.
Fear God (honor him, revere him, respect him, glorify him)
Keep his commandments (his laws, precepts, word)
For this is the whole duty (purpose) of man (me).
Without doing so - one's life is meaningless (lacking any apparent purpose, empty, worthless, futile).
No matter what we achieve in fame, fortune, possession or the good we may even do to others
because all of that will be forgotten after we die, subsequent generations will not know us or remember us, but where we stand with God, what we think of him, whether we accept Jesus as our Savior, that is eternal worth, that is meaningful, that is is purpose and that is how we should live (loving God and making him known) in our days under the sun, of which there really are so few, no matter how many years we live.
May I live a meaningful life, Lord, for your glory.
Monday, March 17, 2014
When I'm afraid
Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
When I am anxious, I will trust in you Lord
When I am in despair, I will trust in you Lord
When I am worried, I will trust in you Lord
When I am fearful, I will trust in you Lord
One of my default settings in my life should be trust.
I should immediately go to it.
Trust in God.
When I am anxious, worried, afraid, in despair, fearful.
That is when I need to immediately default to trust in God.
Trust is how my days should be directed, how they should be lived.
When I am afraid, Lord, I will trust in you.
Help me to sear these words into my heart so they are my default mode, Lord.
When I am anxious, I will trust in you Lord
When I am in despair, I will trust in you Lord
When I am worried, I will trust in you Lord
When I am fearful, I will trust in you Lord
One of my default settings in my life should be trust.
I should immediately go to it.
Trust in God.
When I am anxious, worried, afraid, in despair, fearful.
That is when I need to immediately default to trust in God.
Trust is how my days should be directed, how they should be lived.
When I am afraid, Lord, I will trust in you.
Help me to sear these words into my heart so they are my default mode, Lord.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
show me
Psalm 25:4-5
Show me your ways O Lord (reveal yourself to me Lord)
Teach me your paths (I want to learn what you want me to learn)
Guide me in your truth (lead me in your truth, not mine, not the world's, but yours)
and teach me (allow me to learn, make me moldable to absorb what you are teaching me)
for you are God, my Savior (you are Creator, Restorer, Redeemer, Eternal, Everlasting)
and my hope is in you all day long (my hope is not in me, my thoughts, plans, on others, on the world, but in you Lord)
Show me your ways O Lord (reveal yourself to me Lord)
Teach me your paths (I want to learn what you want me to learn)
Guide me in your truth (lead me in your truth, not mine, not the world's, but yours)
and teach me (allow me to learn, make me moldable to absorb what you are teaching me)
for you are God, my Savior (you are Creator, Restorer, Redeemer, Eternal, Everlasting)
and my hope is in you all day long (my hope is not in me, my thoughts, plans, on others, on the world, but in you Lord)
Saturday, March 15, 2014
testing
Genesis 22:2 Then God said "Take your son, your own son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
The verse before this says "Sometime later God tested Abraham."
God tests our faith not for God's own good to see if we believe, if we have faith, because he already knows what we are going to do. He tests our faith so we can prove to ourselves what faith and how much faith we have in God. He allows circumstances or ordains events that give us opportunity to prove our faith to ourselves.
Honestly, this would be a hard one for me if God asked me to do this. I have one son, one daughter, I love both. I worry more about the son and have spent countless hours in prayer for his safety. He has had some rough life learning moments that each time God has allowed him to stumble, but never completely fall. Looking back on them, I can see God "had his back" in each of them and each event did build my faith more in God.
My earnest prayer is that my son will be used mightily for God's glory, but am I willing to "go the distance" if what will cause God great glory will be a tremendous sacrifice to me in pain and suffering, like those parents who have lost children to cancer or other events, yet through those circumstances people have come to know God. I would like to hope I would have the faith of Abraham. That if God directed or God ordained, I would get up early the next morning like Abraham did (Genesis 22:3) and start on their journey to obey God. And though I know God will not ask me to physically sacrifice my son on an altar, I know he could ask me to surrender him entirely to God and to allow God to work mightily in his life for God's glory. I know I surrender him to God, but take him back soon after. I hope one day to have Abraham's faith, knowing and trusting God is in control and knows what is best for my children for his glory, no matter what the cost to me.
After all, he was willing to give his son, his one and only son, whom he loves very much to the world so that we would be able to spend eternity with him.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
The verse before this says "Sometime later God tested Abraham."
God tests our faith not for God's own good to see if we believe, if we have faith, because he already knows what we are going to do. He tests our faith so we can prove to ourselves what faith and how much faith we have in God. He allows circumstances or ordains events that give us opportunity to prove our faith to ourselves.
Honestly, this would be a hard one for me if God asked me to do this. I have one son, one daughter, I love both. I worry more about the son and have spent countless hours in prayer for his safety. He has had some rough life learning moments that each time God has allowed him to stumble, but never completely fall. Looking back on them, I can see God "had his back" in each of them and each event did build my faith more in God.
My earnest prayer is that my son will be used mightily for God's glory, but am I willing to "go the distance" if what will cause God great glory will be a tremendous sacrifice to me in pain and suffering, like those parents who have lost children to cancer or other events, yet through those circumstances people have come to know God. I would like to hope I would have the faith of Abraham. That if God directed or God ordained, I would get up early the next morning like Abraham did (Genesis 22:3) and start on their journey to obey God. And though I know God will not ask me to physically sacrifice my son on an altar, I know he could ask me to surrender him entirely to God and to allow God to work mightily in his life for God's glory. I know I surrender him to God, but take him back soon after. I hope one day to have Abraham's faith, knowing and trusting God is in control and knows what is best for my children for his glory, no matter what the cost to me.
After all, he was willing to give his son, his one and only son, whom he loves very much to the world so that we would be able to spend eternity with him.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
Thursday, March 13, 2014
choose for yourself who you will serve
Genesis 19:16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and led them safely out of the city for the Lord was merciful to them.
Speaking of Lot and his family before Sodom and Gomorrah were going to be destroyed. The angels urged Lot saying "Hurry, take your wife and your two daughters who are here or you will be swept away when the city is punished." (Genesis 19:15)
Direct warning/statement of what was going to happen if they stayed and Lot hesitated. He should have jumped at the chance to be out of there in a "heartbeat," but he had to be taken by the hand and led out. His sons-in-law pledged to his daughters thought he was joking when he told them to leave. (Genesis 19:14)
Lot had too much of the world in him. He was not sensitive, aware of God's voice speaking to him, advising him what to do. He liked the security of where he was (even though it was a wicked environment).
Was God merciful to Lot because Lot was related to Abraham (Abraham's nephew). Could be. Genesis 19:29 says "so when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham and brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived."
Lot had strayed or perhaps Lot never had the commitment to follow the God (True God) that Abraham followed. He chose the world and the world let him down. Abraham chose God and even though Abraham had his moments of falling away from obeying God, he still chose God over the world. God did not let him down. God was faithful and kept all promises made to Abraham.
Each of us can choose who we will follow, who will we listen to. Choose wisely for the Only One who will never let you down . He never has let me down and he never will.
Thank you Lord for your faithfulness.
Speaking of Lot and his family before Sodom and Gomorrah were going to be destroyed. The angels urged Lot saying "Hurry, take your wife and your two daughters who are here or you will be swept away when the city is punished." (Genesis 19:15)
Direct warning/statement of what was going to happen if they stayed and Lot hesitated. He should have jumped at the chance to be out of there in a "heartbeat," but he had to be taken by the hand and led out. His sons-in-law pledged to his daughters thought he was joking when he told them to leave. (Genesis 19:14)
Lot had too much of the world in him. He was not sensitive, aware of God's voice speaking to him, advising him what to do. He liked the security of where he was (even though it was a wicked environment).
Was God merciful to Lot because Lot was related to Abraham (Abraham's nephew). Could be. Genesis 19:29 says "so when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham and brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived."
Lot had strayed or perhaps Lot never had the commitment to follow the God (True God) that Abraham followed. He chose the world and the world let him down. Abraham chose God and even though Abraham had his moments of falling away from obeying God, he still chose God over the world. God did not let him down. God was faithful and kept all promises made to Abraham.
Each of us can choose who we will follow, who will we listen to. Choose wisely for the Only One who will never let you down . He never has let me down and he never will.
Thank you Lord for your faithfulness.
how we live
2 Corinthians 5:7 We live by faith, not by sight.
We live by what we don't see, but what we know God is capable of doing.
We live with the knowledge God is in control.
Nothing catches him by surprise.
He is always working in our lives.
He is for us, not against us.
He knows what is best for us.
His way, will, timing is perfect.
We don't look at the circumstances.
We don't look externally.
We don't look at what seems impossible.
We live by faith.
We live by trust.
We live that God is capable and able.
We live confident.
We live secure.
We live in peace.
(looks good on paper, but sometimes hard to live like this, but God wants us to live by faith. Help me Lord to do so)
We live by what we don't see, but what we know God is capable of doing.
We live with the knowledge God is in control.
Nothing catches him by surprise.
He is always working in our lives.
He is for us, not against us.
He knows what is best for us.
His way, will, timing is perfect.
We don't look at the circumstances.
We don't look externally.
We don't look at what seems impossible.
We live by faith.
We live by trust.
We live that God is capable and able.
We live confident.
We live secure.
We live in peace.
(looks good on paper, but sometimes hard to live like this, but God wants us to live by faith. Help me Lord to do so)
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
nothing is too hard
Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.
Is anything too hard for the Lord?
Is anything too impossible for God to accomplish or do?
Is God capable of doing anything he chooses to do?
The simple truth is God is capable of doing the impossible, nothing is too hard for him and he is able to do anything he chooses.
In this case, Sarah was able to bear a child when she was 90 years old. Impossible as her body was well past child bearing age, but nothing is impossible if it is God's will.
Other impossibles that God was capable of doing:
Parting the Red Sea
Raining down manna to feed the Israelites in the desert
Water from rocks in the desert
Closing the lions' mouths when Daniel was in the lions' den
Protecting Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace
Bringing the animals two by two to the ark
Feeding the 5000 and 4000 on a handful of food
Curing the sick, lame, blind, deaf, mute
Raising Jesus from the dead
and so much more
God is capable of doing the impossible, the unimaginable.
We should not limit God in our prayers and think he is not capable of meeting our needs, whatever they may be. He has proven time after time he is more than capable.
Jeremiah 32:27 I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
No Lord, nothing is too hard for you.
I will trust in you.
Is anything too hard for the Lord?
Is anything too impossible for God to accomplish or do?
Is God capable of doing anything he chooses to do?
The simple truth is God is capable of doing the impossible, nothing is too hard for him and he is able to do anything he chooses.
In this case, Sarah was able to bear a child when she was 90 years old. Impossible as her body was well past child bearing age, but nothing is impossible if it is God's will.
Other impossibles that God was capable of doing:
Parting the Red Sea
Raining down manna to feed the Israelites in the desert
Water from rocks in the desert
Closing the lions' mouths when Daniel was in the lions' den
Protecting Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace
Bringing the animals two by two to the ark
Feeding the 5000 and 4000 on a handful of food
Curing the sick, lame, blind, deaf, mute
Raising Jesus from the dead
and so much more
God is capable of doing the impossible, the unimaginable.
We should not limit God in our prayers and think he is not capable of meeting our needs, whatever they may be. He has proven time after time he is more than capable.
Jeremiah 32:27 I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
No Lord, nothing is too hard for you.
I will trust in you.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
waiting on God
Genesis 15:4 Then the word of the Lord came to him "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir".
God talking To Abram, telling him he would have his own son, his own flesh and blood as an heir.
Abram believed him, but then took matters into his own hands. He didn't inquire or ask of God. He didn't wait for God's timing.
When Sarai, his wife, suggested he sleep with her maid servant, Hagar, to have her bear a son, he readily agreed to the plan (Genesis 16:1-4) Hagar did conceive and Ishmael was born.
Interestingly, Hagar runs away before giving birth as Sarai was mistreating her because she was jealous of Hagar's pregnancy. The angel of the Lord tells her to go back to Sarai and adds "I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count," which is indeed what happens in that Ishmael has 12 sons and the religion Islam is linked to him.
Ishmael was born when Abram was 86 yeas old. When Abram is 99 years old, God appears to him and tells him he and Sarai will have a child together. He reconfirms the covenant he had made with Abram of his descendants being numerous, changes Abram's name to Abraham, Sarai's name to Sarah, gives circumcision as part of the covenant.
Abraham laughs at God about them having a son, who God says they will call Isaac. God says this time new year Sarah will bear a son.
He clearly laid out his plan, yet Abraham had trouble believing it. God is capable of doing the impossible. We must seek his will, not take matters into our own hands and we must wait for his perfect timing. How different things might have been if Sarai and Abram waited, inquired of God, and waited for him to give the heir he promised born of both of them.
God talking To Abram, telling him he would have his own son, his own flesh and blood as an heir.
Abram believed him, but then took matters into his own hands. He didn't inquire or ask of God. He didn't wait for God's timing.
When Sarai, his wife, suggested he sleep with her maid servant, Hagar, to have her bear a son, he readily agreed to the plan (Genesis 16:1-4) Hagar did conceive and Ishmael was born.
Interestingly, Hagar runs away before giving birth as Sarai was mistreating her because she was jealous of Hagar's pregnancy. The angel of the Lord tells her to go back to Sarai and adds "I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count," which is indeed what happens in that Ishmael has 12 sons and the religion Islam is linked to him.
Ishmael was born when Abram was 86 yeas old. When Abram is 99 years old, God appears to him and tells him he and Sarai will have a child together. He reconfirms the covenant he had made with Abram of his descendants being numerous, changes Abram's name to Abraham, Sarai's name to Sarah, gives circumcision as part of the covenant.
Abraham laughs at God about them having a son, who God says they will call Isaac. God says this time new year Sarah will bear a son.
He clearly laid out his plan, yet Abraham had trouble believing it. God is capable of doing the impossible. We must seek his will, not take matters into our own hands and we must wait for his perfect timing. How different things might have been if Sarai and Abram waited, inquired of God, and waited for him to give the heir he promised born of both of them.
Monday, March 10, 2014
great reward
Genesis 15:1 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. "Do not be afraid Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."
I personally love these words "Don't be afraid Abram" (Don't be afraid Betty)
I am your shield (I will protect you, I am fighting your battles).
Your very great reward (I am more than enough).
Abram (like the majority of us) is still bound by earthly perspectives, what matters to him, maybe not completely aligned with God's will and way and timing.
Genesis 15:23 But Abram aid "O Sovereign Lord what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said "You have given me no children so a servant in my household will be my heir."
He defined his worth only to leaving his inheritance to who and he had no son to do so. But God had much better plans for Abram if he would just believe and have faith in God, which Abram did (Genesis 15:6 Abram believes the Lord and he credited it to him as righteousness.)
God told him
He would have a heir from his own body (Isaac; Genesis 15:4)
His descendants would be as numerous as the stars (all believers are descendants of Abram; Genesis 15:5)
His descendants would be strangers in a country not their own for 400 years (slaves in Egypt; Genesis 15:13)
God would punish the nation they were slaves in and they would come out of their country with great possessions (slaves leaving Egypt with Moses; Genesis 15:14)
Abram would go to his fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age (Genesis 15:15; Abram lived over 125 years).
Abram wanted a son/heir - that was basically it.
God wanted to give him so much more (and did so).
We in our prayers should not limit what we ask God for. He is our great reward. He is limitless in what he can do if it is his will.
We must believe and trust that he is capable of the impossible and trust he knows what is best in our lives according to his great will and purpose.
I will trust in you Lord.
I personally love these words "Don't be afraid Abram" (Don't be afraid Betty)
I am your shield (I will protect you, I am fighting your battles).
Your very great reward (I am more than enough).
Abram (like the majority of us) is still bound by earthly perspectives, what matters to him, maybe not completely aligned with God's will and way and timing.
Genesis 15:23 But Abram aid "O Sovereign Lord what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said "You have given me no children so a servant in my household will be my heir."
He defined his worth only to leaving his inheritance to who and he had no son to do so. But God had much better plans for Abram if he would just believe and have faith in God, which Abram did (Genesis 15:6 Abram believes the Lord and he credited it to him as righteousness.)
God told him
He would have a heir from his own body (Isaac; Genesis 15:4)
His descendants would be as numerous as the stars (all believers are descendants of Abram; Genesis 15:5)
His descendants would be strangers in a country not their own for 400 years (slaves in Egypt; Genesis 15:13)
God would punish the nation they were slaves in and they would come out of their country with great possessions (slaves leaving Egypt with Moses; Genesis 15:14)
Abram would go to his fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age (Genesis 15:15; Abram lived over 125 years).
Abram wanted a son/heir - that was basically it.
God wanted to give him so much more (and did so).
We in our prayers should not limit what we ask God for. He is our great reward. He is limitless in what he can do if it is his will.
We must believe and trust that he is capable of the impossible and trust he knows what is best in our lives according to his great will and purpose.
I will trust in you Lord.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
leave your country
Genesis 12:1-3 The Lord had said to Abram "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you. I will make your name great and you will be a blessing . I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
Abram (later Abraham as his name would be changed by God) didn't even really know God when God gave him this command to leave his country, people, and family. Yet Abram had incredible faith to "drop" everything and follow God and listen to him. God made incredible promises to Abram that he kept every single one though Abram didn't see all carried out in his lifetime. Yet he took that step of faith
trusting God
obeying God
doing what God commanded
Abram had his moments when he did not obey, when he tried to do things his own way, but he continued to trust God and seek him and obey him.
What is God asking me to do? Is there any great leap of faith he wants me to take and do?
Unlike Abram, when he first obeyed God, I do know who God is and I know from previous circumstances his faithfulness to me and my family.
I have taken great leaps of faith . I have struggled through them like Abram though his, but each and every time God has remained faithful in his promises - just like he did for Abram.
As Abram (Abraham) trusted, so too I will trust. You have never let me down Lord and you never will.
Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
That is basically how Abram tried to live.
It is how I should try to live.
Abram (later Abraham as his name would be changed by God) didn't even really know God when God gave him this command to leave his country, people, and family. Yet Abram had incredible faith to "drop" everything and follow God and listen to him. God made incredible promises to Abram that he kept every single one though Abram didn't see all carried out in his lifetime. Yet he took that step of faith
trusting God
obeying God
doing what God commanded
Abram had his moments when he did not obey, when he tried to do things his own way, but he continued to trust God and seek him and obey him.
What is God asking me to do? Is there any great leap of faith he wants me to take and do?
Unlike Abram, when he first obeyed God, I do know who God is and I know from previous circumstances his faithfulness to me and my family.
I have taken great leaps of faith . I have struggled through them like Abram though his, but each and every time God has remained faithful in his promises - just like he did for Abram.
As Abram (Abraham) trusted, so too I will trust. You have never let me down Lord and you never will.
Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
That is basically how Abram tried to live.
It is how I should try to live.
Friday, March 7, 2014
God's will
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Sometimes we struggle in our lives wondering what is our purpose, what is God's will. The Bible does lay out answers to most (if not all) of life's questions if we just take the time to read it and study it.
This is God's will for me in Christ Jesus
Be Joyful Always
Pray Continually
Give Thanks In All Circumstances
So simple too; not a complicated instruction sheet
be joyful
pray continually
give thanks in all circumstances
This is what God's will would be in my life.
Now to live it can be hard sometimes, but not impossible.
Help me Lord to
be joy
pray continually
and to give you thanks in all circumstances.
In your name, Jesus, I pray.
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Sometimes we struggle in our lives wondering what is our purpose, what is God's will. The Bible does lay out answers to most (if not all) of life's questions if we just take the time to read it and study it.
This is God's will for me in Christ Jesus
Be Joyful Always
Pray Continually
Give Thanks In All Circumstances
So simple too; not a complicated instruction sheet
be joyful
pray continually
give thanks in all circumstances
This is what God's will would be in my life.
Now to live it can be hard sometimes, but not impossible.
Help me Lord to
be joy
pray continually
and to give you thanks in all circumstances.
In your name, Jesus, I pray.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
always a way out
Genesis 4:6-7 Then the Lord said to Cain "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you, but you must master it."
God always gives us, leaves us a way out of temptation, a way out of sinning.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.
God was warning Cain, telling him to think about his actions, get control over his feelings. He lovingly laid it out.
If you do what is right, you will be accepted (obey me, God)
But if you don't do what is right (choose not to listen to me, God, choose not to obey)
Sin is crouching at your door (the opportunity, desire to do wrong is right there)
It desires you (It wants to consume you, it wants you to disobey)
But you must master it (you can master it, but you have to do the work to do so. You must get in control of it rather than it be in control of you).
Of course Cain does not listen and we have the first murder on earth.
One generation removed from Adam and Eve living in the garden and Cain has so much anger he wants to hurt his brother, Abel. We don't know if they had seen animals dead by now, chances are probably if they killed them for food.
But this was the first man killed. How it must have surprised them. How they must have grasped their own mortality. How it must have shocked Adam and Eve.
The Bible doesn't say and we can just draw our own conclusions, but I would imagine Abel was mourned by Adam and Eve, like we mourn those we love who have died. They had no idea or hope that they would see Abel again . At least us who believe in Jesus know we will see our loved ones again if they too have faith in Jesus.
It does fascinate me with the story of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel.
But God does make beauty out of ashes, even here, because years later one of Cain's relatives is Noah, a man who loved God and obeyed him.
God always gives us, leaves us a way out of temptation, a way out of sinning.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.
God was warning Cain, telling him to think about his actions, get control over his feelings. He lovingly laid it out.
If you do what is right, you will be accepted (obey me, God)
But if you don't do what is right (choose not to listen to me, God, choose not to obey)
Sin is crouching at your door (the opportunity, desire to do wrong is right there)
It desires you (It wants to consume you, it wants you to disobey)
But you must master it (you can master it, but you have to do the work to do so. You must get in control of it rather than it be in control of you).
Of course Cain does not listen and we have the first murder on earth.
One generation removed from Adam and Eve living in the garden and Cain has so much anger he wants to hurt his brother, Abel. We don't know if they had seen animals dead by now, chances are probably if they killed them for food.
But this was the first man killed. How it must have surprised them. How they must have grasped their own mortality. How it must have shocked Adam and Eve.
The Bible doesn't say and we can just draw our own conclusions, but I would imagine Abel was mourned by Adam and Eve, like we mourn those we love who have died. They had no idea or hope that they would see Abel again . At least us who believe in Jesus know we will see our loved ones again if they too have faith in Jesus.
It does fascinate me with the story of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel.
But God does make beauty out of ashes, even here, because years later one of Cain's relatives is Noah, a man who loved God and obeyed him.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
why was God not good enough?
Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye and desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Again, the Bible does not say how long Adam and Eve lived in the garden before they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We don't know if the serpent (devil, enemy, Satan) was lurking around watching them, talking to them before he enticed Eve to eat of the forbidden tree.
I often wonder why Eve and Adam both chose to disobey Good. They fellowshipped with him. They saw him. He had provided all their needs. They lived in a gorgeous place.
Why was that not enough for them?
Why is God not enough for us?
Why do we go looking elsewhere for pleasure, riches, happiness instead of directly to our Creator, God?
And how soon afterwards Adam and Eve's lives changed.
Their eyes were opened and they realized they were naked.
They felt shame, they wanted to cover themselves up, they hid from God.
Life would never be the same for them. Did they regret their actions?
Did they ask for forgiveness?
How intimate afterwards was their relation with God?
I don't think we can blame Adam and Eve for what they did. We really don't know what we would do under a similar circumstance, but it does make me often pause to wonder.
Why is God not enough?
And make me want to try to make God enough in my life.
Trusting and loving him completely with my whole mind, body, and soul.
Again, the Bible does not say how long Adam and Eve lived in the garden before they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We don't know if the serpent (devil, enemy, Satan) was lurking around watching them, talking to them before he enticed Eve to eat of the forbidden tree.
I often wonder why Eve and Adam both chose to disobey Good. They fellowshipped with him. They saw him. He had provided all their needs. They lived in a gorgeous place.
Why was that not enough for them?
Why is God not enough for us?
Why do we go looking elsewhere for pleasure, riches, happiness instead of directly to our Creator, God?
And how soon afterwards Adam and Eve's lives changed.
Their eyes were opened and they realized they were naked.
They felt shame, they wanted to cover themselves up, they hid from God.
Life would never be the same for them. Did they regret their actions?
Did they ask for forgiveness?
How intimate afterwards was their relation with God?
I don't think we can blame Adam and Eve for what they did. We really don't know what we would do under a similar circumstance, but it does make me often pause to wonder.
Why is God not enough?
And make me want to try to make God enough in my life.
Trusting and loving him completely with my whole mind, body, and soul.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
What God said, how man defined it
Genesis 3:2-3 The woman said to the serpent "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden and you must not touch it or you will die.'"
What God really said:
Genesis 2:16-17 And commanded the man "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil for when you eat of it, you will surely die."
God was specific in his instructions:
Eat from any tree in the garden
but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
and he explained why
when you eat of it, you will surely die.
Eve got it half right, but mostly wrong in listening and interpreting what God's word said
She interpreted it to the serpent as
We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden.'
and then she added, totally different from that what God said
You must not touch it or you will die.
Don't we have a tendency to do the same thing?
We want to interpret the Bible for how we want it to read, not what God's word really means. We want to add on more than is in there and take away what we might not like of what God may command.
The Bible is God's word. All the words in there he has designed to write down for us to read, inspired through the Holy Spirit. We must trust it is true and not add or subject from it.
What God really said:
Genesis 2:16-17 And commanded the man "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil for when you eat of it, you will surely die."
God was specific in his instructions:
Eat from any tree in the garden
but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
and he explained why
when you eat of it, you will surely die.
Eve got it half right, but mostly wrong in listening and interpreting what God's word said
She interpreted it to the serpent as
We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden.'
and then she added, totally different from that what God said
You must not touch it or you will die.
Don't we have a tendency to do the same thing?
We want to interpret the Bible for how we want it to read, not what God's word really means. We want to add on more than is in there and take away what we might not like of what God may command.
The Bible is God's word. All the words in there he has designed to write down for us to read, inspired through the Holy Spirit. We must trust it is true and not add or subject from it.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
God's plan of marriage
Genesis 2:23-24 The man said "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called 'woman' for she was taken out of man." For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh.
Matthew 19:4-5 "Haven't you read," he replied "that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will be flesh.'"
Adam named all the living creatures. God brought them to Adam to see what he would name them and whatever Adam called them, that was their name.
Adam must have had some of God's wisdom, direction, knowledge, and understanding to know the names to call the animals. Adam was not born in the sense of how we are born as babies and then grow and develop under our parents' loving guidance. God taught Adam what Adam knew, perhaps in their walks in the garden, in the intimate times they shared.
It is not clear in the Bible how long it was before Eve was created, but God knew there was no other suitable helper among the animals Adam had named and he knew Adam needed a helper, someone like him "to do life with."
God made Eve out of Adam's rib. Adam knew, ordained from God, that Eve was his helper, his mate, his wife.
God said and meant "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will be one flesh."
God's intent and plan has always been and will always be that marriage, united as one flesh, is between a man and a woman. He made it clear from the beginning and Jesus addressed it in his ministry.
I do not believe we can interpret it any different no matter how hard we might want it to be so.
Marriage, God ordained, is between man and woman only.
Matthew 19:4-5 "Haven't you read," he replied "that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will be flesh.'"
Adam named all the living creatures. God brought them to Adam to see what he would name them and whatever Adam called them, that was their name.
Adam must have had some of God's wisdom, direction, knowledge, and understanding to know the names to call the animals. Adam was not born in the sense of how we are born as babies and then grow and develop under our parents' loving guidance. God taught Adam what Adam knew, perhaps in their walks in the garden, in the intimate times they shared.
It is not clear in the Bible how long it was before Eve was created, but God knew there was no other suitable helper among the animals Adam had named and he knew Adam needed a helper, someone like him "to do life with."
God made Eve out of Adam's rib. Adam knew, ordained from God, that Eve was his helper, his mate, his wife.
God said and meant "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will be one flesh."
God's intent and plan has always been and will always be that marriage, united as one flesh, is between a man and a woman. He made it clear from the beginning and Jesus addressed it in his ministry.
I do not believe we can interpret it any different no matter how hard we might want it to be so.
Marriage, God ordained, is between man and woman only.
light
Genesis 1:3
And God said "Let there be light and there was light."
The very first thing God creates, speaks into being, is light.
The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was over the surface of the deep and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Hovering over the waters.
Waiting
For just the right moment
When God would speak
Would say "let there be light"
And there was light
No longer just darkness, but a distinction
Light and darkness.
God had begun to put his plan into place
To send the True and Only Light that matters - Jesus.
Aren't we all empty inside?
Devoid of light.
Aren't we all looking for something to "light" up our lives?
We look to:
possessions
love
friendships
family
work
career
hobbies
and so much more
But each leaves us still a little dark, still a little void.
Only one Light can truly light up our world.
No matter how dark it may seem to be.
And that is God's son
Jesus
The Bible says in eternity we won't need the sun, moon, or stars for our light.
The radiance of Jesus' face will be more than enough.
I believe that.
He is always all the light
I will ever need.
And God said "Let there be light and there was light."
The very first thing God creates, speaks into being, is light.
The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was over the surface of the deep and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Hovering over the waters.
Waiting
For just the right moment
When God would speak
Would say "let there be light"
And there was light
No longer just darkness, but a distinction
Light and darkness.
God had begun to put his plan into place
To send the True and Only Light that matters - Jesus.
Aren't we all empty inside?
Devoid of light.
Aren't we all looking for something to "light" up our lives?
We look to:
possessions
love
friendships
family
work
career
hobbies
and so much more
But each leaves us still a little dark, still a little void.
Only one Light can truly light up our world.
No matter how dark it may seem to be.
And that is God's son
Jesus
The Bible says in eternity we won't need the sun, moon, or stars for our light.
The radiance of Jesus' face will be more than enough.
I believe that.
He is always all the light
I will ever need.
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