I have added a Study Link called Relationship Survey. If you have not already completed this survey, will you please do that for me? Trent is working on his doctoral paper, and we need about 50 more people to answer the survey for us. Will you also send all your friends to the site to fill it out for us?
What a blessing you are!
Love,
Dana
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Isaiah 54 & 55
This chapter is a reassurance of God’s love for Israel. Although her captivity had been prophesied, God wanted Israel to know it would be temporary; He would bring His people back. Read the following verses from Isaiah 54 as God’s words of affirmation that He loves you forever. He has not forgotten His covenant with you.
vs. 5—For your Maker is your husband—the LORD Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.
vs. 7b—but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
vs. 8 b—but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you, says the LORD your Redeemer.
vs. 10—Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
vs. 17—no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me, declares the LORD.
I don’t know about you, but I need God’s reassurance quite often. I tend to believe the lies of the enemy telling me I am inferior and that God doesn’t have time for me. He has more important people or people with greater needs to look after. These Scriptures comfort my soul when the world around me is shaken. God’s unfailing love is solid ground.
Isaiah 55—Invitation to the Thirsty. I love that title for this chapter. Thirst is the perfect word picture for our relationship to God. When I am physically thirsty, nothing satisfies like an ice-cold glass of water. When I am spiritually thirsty, nothing satisfies like a refreshing drink from God’s Word. I can think of nothing else until my physical thirst is quenched. Does that describe my spiritual thirst as well?
vs. 2b—your soul will delight in the richest of fare. God’s Word is a veritable feast for my spirit. Am I indulging in all God has to offer? Feasting on God’s Word is like a holiday banquet table overflowing with the richest of foods. Bible study should not be like eating dry, hard rice cakes.
So, how can you change your quiet time from a frightful famine to a blessed buffet? May I suggest that you learn how to study God’s Word for yourself? Reading the commentary of another person may be enlightening, but it is rather like eating boring leftovers. Believe me; I know I am enjoying this online Bible study far more than any of my readers ever could. The tasty morsels are the ones you find for yourself when you dig into the meat of God’s Word. The heart of the watermelon always has the best flavor. The center of the steak is always the juiciest. Skimming through a passage of Scripture is like eating a dry crust of bread. Searching out the hidden meaning of a word in Scripture is like homemade bread hot out of the oven. If you aren’t sure how to examine the Word of God under a microscope, send me an email, and I would love to share some secrets I have learned along the way.
vs. 6—Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Talk to God as soon as you wake up in the morning. Don’t let His Spirit get away from you when you rise up out of bed. Respond to Jesus the very moment He knocks upon your heart’s door. Don’t let a moment be wasted. Learn to hear the voice of God when He whispers an idea into your mind. Act upon it immediately. You will be doubly blessed when you quickly obey.
vs. 8, 9—God’s thoughts and ways are so much higher than mine!
vs. 11—so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. LORD God, please accomplish your purposes in me!
vs. 12—You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Oh wow! That’s what I want my life to resemble. Everywhere I go, I want to spread joy and peace. I want the mountains, hills, and trees to sing and dance and shout for joy because they see me coming. I want people who see me walk into a room to be delighted because I bring them joy and peace. Hmmm. That thought should change the look I have on my face today. Jesus, put your song in my heart!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Isaiah 52 & 53
Please take time to read Isaiah 52 & 53 before reading my commentary. May God's Word speak to you as I never could.
Isaiah 52:3--"For this is what the LORD says: You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed." This one little word sent me on a hunt for meaning. A consistent theme throughout Scripture is that God redeems His people. The true reason we celebrate Christmas is in fact that Jesus Himself came to be our Redeemer. A keyword search on Biblegateway.com yielded a long list of verses using the words redeem, redeemed, Redeemer, redemption.
The notes in my NIV Study Bible describe Redeemer in this way, "The Hebrew for this word refers to an obligated family protector and thus portrays the Lord as the Family Protector of Israel. He is related to Israel as Father and Husband. As Redeemer he redeems their property, guarantees their freedom, avenges them against their tormentors and secures their posterity for the future." A person needed a redeemer when they had sold themselves into slavery. A woman needed a redeemer when her husband died without leaving any male heirs. You and I need a Redeemer because we have sold ourselves in slavery to sin. You and I are the Bride of Christ. He is our Redeemer Husband, the One who secures our future when all around us is uncertain.
I really liked the Biblegateway description of Redemption. (click to read) This sentence really stood out to me. "The debt against us is not viewed as simply cancelled, but is fully paid." The description of Messiah as Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53 really brings this to light. Just because Jesus, the Son of God, volunteered to pay for our sins, does not mean that God dismissed the consequences. Jesus endured every bit of pain and suffering required to pay for the sins of each and every person who ever lived. Our entry into heaven is not a free pass or comp ticket. Jesus paid for it in blood. Sometimes we picture it in our heads something like this--Heaven is like God performing a major concert, and since we know Jesus, we can simply slip in the back door and get back stage access for free. Only the truth is our ticket to the concert was fully paid for by the death of Jesus. God did not actually grant Jesus permission to bring all his buddies to the show at no cost. Let's not lose sight of the fact that Jesus Paid It All on the cross for us.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (Is. 52:7) This was one of Bro. Billy's favorite verses to quote. One day after he had taken our youth group on a hike at Black Mesa, he was changing his shoes, and we were teasing him about how ugly his feet were. He quoted this verse to us, and I always think of him any time I read it. It makes me thankful that Billy challenged our group to proclaim the Good News of God's salvation. It makes me grateful that he took the time to invest in our spiritual lives.
The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. (Is. 52:10) You know how in the movies when guys are getting ready for a fight, they throw off their jackets and roll up their sleeves? That's the picture this verse brings to mind. The arm of the LORD represents the power of God. He has rolled up his shirt sleeves to fight for our victory over sin. Through His mighty power, we can know salvation. When the LORD bares His holy arm, the nations tremble before Him. Oooo, makes me shiver!
Isaiah 53 is a highly debated chapter between Jews and Christians. You can do a google search of the chapter to see the differing opinions. To boil it down, Jews believe Isaiah 53 refers to the suffering of the nation of Israel. Christians believe the chapter prophesies the crucifixion of Jesus the Messiah. I think we can read it both ways. There are many places the Old Testament prophets spoke a message relevant to their day and time while prophesying of the Messiah at the same time. Will you try this experiment for me? Read Isaiah 53 twice. The first time you read it, think of the suffering the Jewish people have endured throughout the centuries. Be amazed at their perseverance to remain a nation called by God. The second time you read it, think of Christ and His suffering for the payment of your sins on the cross. Be amazed that He allowed Himself to be beaten beyond human recognition when He had the power to slay His persecutors with one word from His mouth.
Will you marvel with me at the great lengths God went to in order to redeem His people? Simply Amazing!
Isaiah 52:3--"For this is what the LORD says: You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed." This one little word sent me on a hunt for meaning. A consistent theme throughout Scripture is that God redeems His people. The true reason we celebrate Christmas is in fact that Jesus Himself came to be our Redeemer. A keyword search on Biblegateway.com yielded a long list of verses using the words redeem, redeemed, Redeemer, redemption.
The notes in my NIV Study Bible describe Redeemer in this way, "The Hebrew for this word refers to an obligated family protector and thus portrays the Lord as the Family Protector of Israel. He is related to Israel as Father and Husband. As Redeemer he redeems their property, guarantees their freedom, avenges them against their tormentors and secures their posterity for the future." A person needed a redeemer when they had sold themselves into slavery. A woman needed a redeemer when her husband died without leaving any male heirs. You and I need a Redeemer because we have sold ourselves in slavery to sin. You and I are the Bride of Christ. He is our Redeemer Husband, the One who secures our future when all around us is uncertain.
I really liked the Biblegateway description of Redemption. (click to read) This sentence really stood out to me. "The debt against us is not viewed as simply cancelled, but is fully paid." The description of Messiah as Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53 really brings this to light. Just because Jesus, the Son of God, volunteered to pay for our sins, does not mean that God dismissed the consequences. Jesus endured every bit of pain and suffering required to pay for the sins of each and every person who ever lived. Our entry into heaven is not a free pass or comp ticket. Jesus paid for it in blood. Sometimes we picture it in our heads something like this--Heaven is like God performing a major concert, and since we know Jesus, we can simply slip in the back door and get back stage access for free. Only the truth is our ticket to the concert was fully paid for by the death of Jesus. God did not actually grant Jesus permission to bring all his buddies to the show at no cost. Let's not lose sight of the fact that Jesus Paid It All on the cross for us.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (Is. 52:7) This was one of Bro. Billy's favorite verses to quote. One day after he had taken our youth group on a hike at Black Mesa, he was changing his shoes, and we were teasing him about how ugly his feet were. He quoted this verse to us, and I always think of him any time I read it. It makes me thankful that Billy challenged our group to proclaim the Good News of God's salvation. It makes me grateful that he took the time to invest in our spiritual lives.
The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. (Is. 52:10) You know how in the movies when guys are getting ready for a fight, they throw off their jackets and roll up their sleeves? That's the picture this verse brings to mind. The arm of the LORD represents the power of God. He has rolled up his shirt sleeves to fight for our victory over sin. Through His mighty power, we can know salvation. When the LORD bares His holy arm, the nations tremble before Him. Oooo, makes me shiver!
Isaiah 53 is a highly debated chapter between Jews and Christians. You can do a google search of the chapter to see the differing opinions. To boil it down, Jews believe Isaiah 53 refers to the suffering of the nation of Israel. Christians believe the chapter prophesies the crucifixion of Jesus the Messiah. I think we can read it both ways. There are many places the Old Testament prophets spoke a message relevant to their day and time while prophesying of the Messiah at the same time. Will you try this experiment for me? Read Isaiah 53 twice. The first time you read it, think of the suffering the Jewish people have endured throughout the centuries. Be amazed at their perseverance to remain a nation called by God. The second time you read it, think of Christ and His suffering for the payment of your sins on the cross. Be amazed that He allowed Himself to be beaten beyond human recognition when He had the power to slay His persecutors with one word from His mouth.
Will you marvel with me at the great lengths God went to in order to redeem His people? Simply Amazing!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Isaiah 40
I am really glad that we are reading of the Consolation of Israel in Isaiah 40, 52-55 at Christmastime. These Scriptures prophesy of the coming of the Messiah. We probably will take more than one day to blog these passages because there is a lot of treasure hidden here. These Scriptures make me wish I were more of a Bible history/prophecy scholar. I am certain there is a lot of symbolism and meaning that we miss when we do not fully understand the history and culture behind the writing. So, if you could help me a little by researching these passages on your own, that would be terrific! If you find a really helpful internet site, or if you know of a great book on these topics, please let us know by clicking on the comment link on the blog.
Isaiah 40 begins with “Comfort, comfort my people—her sin has been doubly paid for.” Israel and Judah needed hope. Israel had already fallen into the hands of Assyria, and Isaiah had prophesied that Judah would be taken into captivity by Babylon. Chapters 40-66 of Isaiah foretell the restoration of the entire nation at the coming of the Suffering Servant. In the face of impending doom, Isaiah wrote of eternal hope. I can imagine that the captives in Babylon longed for God’s Comfort. They needed assurance that their punishment for sin had been paid and that they would soon be restored to relationship with their God. Are you in need of hope during these days of crisis? Look to Christ for your eternal Comfort. He is the only one who knows your future, and He wants to give you hope. Seek Him! (Jeremiah 29:11-14)
Isaiah 40:3-5—John the Baptist would fulfill this prophecy, as he came proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. Jesus was the glory of the LORD revealed. Glory means presence, and Jesus was Immanuel, God with us, the very presence of God come to earth. (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23) Hallelujah!
Isaiah 40:10—“the Sovereign LORD comes with power.” Israel and Judah needed God to rescue them with great power. Do you need Him also? Believe and trust that He is able!
Isaiah 40:11-14—Wow! I love these verses! If you are only reading my blog, and not the Word of God, then you are totally missing out. Get up out of your chair right now and read these words out of your Bible. Read it out loud. Savor the mental images of your LORD cradling you in His arms, carrying you close to your heart. Picture the God of the heavens measuring the waters in his hand, marking off the heavens with the breadth of his hand. He holds the dust of the earth in a basket! I have lived in places where the dust was abundant! It is hard to imagine it all gathered in one basket. God weighs the mountains on a scale. I have stood at the base of the Rocky Mountains, their grandeur towering over me. They are a small thing to be weighed in God’s perspective.
Take time to bask in the splendor of God, your Creator. To whom can we compare Him? He has no equal. He is the Holy One. Worship Him by reading aloud Isaiah 40:21-31. Please don’t cheat your relationship with the One True Savior by failing to bask in His majesty when He is inviting you to His throne. Savor the greatness of our God!
Isaiah 40 begins with “Comfort, comfort my people—her sin has been doubly paid for.” Israel and Judah needed hope. Israel had already fallen into the hands of Assyria, and Isaiah had prophesied that Judah would be taken into captivity by Babylon. Chapters 40-66 of Isaiah foretell the restoration of the entire nation at the coming of the Suffering Servant. In the face of impending doom, Isaiah wrote of eternal hope. I can imagine that the captives in Babylon longed for God’s Comfort. They needed assurance that their punishment for sin had been paid and that they would soon be restored to relationship with their God. Are you in need of hope during these days of crisis? Look to Christ for your eternal Comfort. He is the only one who knows your future, and He wants to give you hope. Seek Him! (Jeremiah 29:11-14)
Isaiah 40:3-5—John the Baptist would fulfill this prophecy, as he came proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. Jesus was the glory of the LORD revealed. Glory means presence, and Jesus was Immanuel, God with us, the very presence of God come to earth. (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23) Hallelujah!
Isaiah 40:10—“the Sovereign LORD comes with power.” Israel and Judah needed God to rescue them with great power. Do you need Him also? Believe and trust that He is able!
Isaiah 40:11-14—Wow! I love these verses! If you are only reading my blog, and not the Word of God, then you are totally missing out. Get up out of your chair right now and read these words out of your Bible. Read it out loud. Savor the mental images of your LORD cradling you in His arms, carrying you close to your heart. Picture the God of the heavens measuring the waters in his hand, marking off the heavens with the breadth of his hand. He holds the dust of the earth in a basket! I have lived in places where the dust was abundant! It is hard to imagine it all gathered in one basket. God weighs the mountains on a scale. I have stood at the base of the Rocky Mountains, their grandeur towering over me. They are a small thing to be weighed in God’s perspective.
Take time to bask in the splendor of God, your Creator. To whom can we compare Him? He has no equal. He is the Holy One. Worship Him by reading aloud Isaiah 40:21-31. Please don’t cheat your relationship with the One True Savior by failing to bask in His majesty when He is inviting you to His throne. Savor the greatness of our God!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Hezekiah
My pastor for most of my growing up years was Brother Billy Rammage. And he loved to pull pranks. One of his favorites was to tell the congregation to turn to the book of Hezekiah. He liked to make up his own verses and quote from Hezekiah, such as, “Toot thy own horn,” Hez. 2:2. Brother Billy was the one who really taught me and my friends how to study God’s Word, and he challenged us to memorize Scripture. I am very fortunate to have had him for a mentor, even if he got a kick out of teasing us mercilessly.
So, even though Hezekiah doesn’t have his own book, he has enough chapters written about his life to have one: 2 Kings 18-20, 2 Chronicles 29-32, Isaiah 36-39. “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done. Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses. And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.” (2 Kings 18:3, 5-7a) Let’s make it our goal to be that type of follower of the LORD, one who does what it right, who trusts God, holding fast to the LORD and never ceasing to follow Him. Hezekiah still had to face challenges during his rule. His life was not trouble-free. He faced illness and struggled with pride issues. He was human, just like you and me. Hezekiah was not perfect, but God used him mightily to impact the lives of people because Hezekiah was willing to trust God through good times and bad.
“And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: ‘O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to words Sennacherib [the enemy king] has sent to insult the living God. Now, O LORD, our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God.’” (2 Kings 19:15-16, 19) Once again, let me make the point that this is the type of prayer that God is most willing to answer. God delivers when our motivation is to make Him known to everyone around us.
The story of Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles focuses on the rebuilding of the temple and the celebrating of Passover. Hezekiah even invited Israel to join Judah in worshiping God. That’s awesome! “People of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may return to you. . . . Come to the sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the LORD your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. . . . for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.” (2 Chron. 30:6-9) Hezekiah sent the message to all the surrounding towns. “Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the LORD.” (2 Chron. 30:12) Unity of mind. Cool!
“In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, ‘This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.’ Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, ‘Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: ‘Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.’” (2 Kings 20:1-5b) When Hezekiah prayed for healing, he was able to remind God that he had been a faithful servant. Could I do the same?
While we are on the topic of praying for healing, honestly, it bothers me sometimes that all we ever pray for in our Sunday school classes is for sick people to be well. I suppose I need to consider that much of Jesus’ ministry was healing the sick. And Hezekiah is an example of God’s concern for his servants when they are ill. What is your opinion on this subject?
Unlike all the other kings of Judah and Israel, Hezekiah did stay true to following God his entire life. However, his pride was a stumbling block in the end. The king of Babylon sent Hezekiah a get-well card, and while the Babylonian messengers were at the palace to hand-deliver it, Hezekiah treated them to a tour. He showed them all his treasures. When they left, the prophet Isaiah told the king that everything the messengers saw would be carried off to Babylon in the future. Oops! Hezekiah flunked that test (2 Chronicles 32:31)
Isaiah was Hezekiah's priest and prophet. I wonder if they were good friends too. I wonder if Hezekiah was such a great king because of Isaiah's influence. It makes me thankful for the mentors in my life, people like my mom and Brother Billy, my Sunday school teachers, and Nick my BSU director. My husband is a terrific mentor in my life too. I think I'll tell my mentors "Thank You" today.
We will read Isaiah 40 and 52-55 next!
So, even though Hezekiah doesn’t have his own book, he has enough chapters written about his life to have one: 2 Kings 18-20, 2 Chronicles 29-32, Isaiah 36-39. “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done. Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses. And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.” (2 Kings 18:3, 5-7a) Let’s make it our goal to be that type of follower of the LORD, one who does what it right, who trusts God, holding fast to the LORD and never ceasing to follow Him. Hezekiah still had to face challenges during his rule. His life was not trouble-free. He faced illness and struggled with pride issues. He was human, just like you and me. Hezekiah was not perfect, but God used him mightily to impact the lives of people because Hezekiah was willing to trust God through good times and bad.
“And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: ‘O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to words Sennacherib [the enemy king] has sent to insult the living God. Now, O LORD, our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God.’” (2 Kings 19:15-16, 19) Once again, let me make the point that this is the type of prayer that God is most willing to answer. God delivers when our motivation is to make Him known to everyone around us.
The story of Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles focuses on the rebuilding of the temple and the celebrating of Passover. Hezekiah even invited Israel to join Judah in worshiping God. That’s awesome! “People of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may return to you. . . . Come to the sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the LORD your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. . . . for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.” (2 Chron. 30:6-9) Hezekiah sent the message to all the surrounding towns. “Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the LORD.” (2 Chron. 30:12) Unity of mind. Cool!
“In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, ‘This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.’ Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, ‘Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: ‘Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.’” (2 Kings 20:1-5b) When Hezekiah prayed for healing, he was able to remind God that he had been a faithful servant. Could I do the same?
While we are on the topic of praying for healing, honestly, it bothers me sometimes that all we ever pray for in our Sunday school classes is for sick people to be well. I suppose I need to consider that much of Jesus’ ministry was healing the sick. And Hezekiah is an example of God’s concern for his servants when they are ill. What is your opinion on this subject?
Unlike all the other kings of Judah and Israel, Hezekiah did stay true to following God his entire life. However, his pride was a stumbling block in the end. The king of Babylon sent Hezekiah a get-well card, and while the Babylonian messengers were at the palace to hand-deliver it, Hezekiah treated them to a tour. He showed them all his treasures. When they left, the prophet Isaiah told the king that everything the messengers saw would be carried off to Babylon in the future. Oops! Hezekiah flunked that test (2 Chronicles 32:31)
Isaiah was Hezekiah's priest and prophet. I wonder if they were good friends too. I wonder if Hezekiah was such a great king because of Isaiah's influence. It makes me thankful for the mentors in my life, people like my mom and Brother Billy, my Sunday school teachers, and Nick my BSU director. My husband is a terrific mentor in my life too. I think I'll tell my mentors "Thank You" today.
We will read Isaiah 40 and 52-55 next!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Hosea 1-4
Let me just tell you how tempting it is to skip over Hosea and the rest of the Old Testament prophecies we still need to read on our Chronological reading list. Honestly, these stories just don’t mesh well with our postmodern theology of name it and claim it, health and wealth, prosperity gospel mindset. Haven’t you been taught in church that God isn’t going to call you to do something and not fully equip you to handle it? In your heart of hearts, don’t you feel like God would never ask you to do anything that is too hard? When you pray for God’s guidance, don’t you ask Him to give you a peace and a sense that everything is going to turn out according to your plans, oh I mean, according to God’s plans??? And when we say that we believe God wants the best for us, don’t we really mean that we believe God wants the easy road for us?
Well, when we take a good, hard look at the lives of most of God’s chosen ones anywhere in the Bible, they did not live easy lives. I really don’t find it biblical that a blessed life is particularly an easy life. Just look at Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus. The angel said Mary had found favor with God; yet God called Mary to a life of heartache and misery. And King David was a “man after God’s own heart”; yet his family life was a shambles with his children killing and raping one another and then attempting to overthrow David’s kingship. Sorry, I’m rambling. We’re supposed to be studying Hosea.
Hosea’s assignment from the LORD was to marry an adulterous wife and be a father to children conceived in unfaithfulness. Doesn’t sound like a cake walk to me! As a pastor’s wife, I know what it’s like to live in a fish bowl, where everyone can walk by and see everything that is going on in the life of your family. It especially feels like that right now because our house is located on the busiest street corner in the county! However, my situation is far more pleasant than Hosea and Gomer’s home life. Their family was called to be a reflection of God’s relationship to the unfaithful people of Israel. Their children were named things like “God scatters,” “Not loved,” and “Not my people.” Hosea was forced to buy back his own wife out of the trade of prostitution. I much prefer the calling that my own family has to play the role of the faithful Bride of Christ.
Chapters 1-4 of Hosea offer harsh criticism for Israel because of her unfaithfulness. My prayer for my family is that we will remain faithful and true to our love relationship with God. I want the following verses to be true of us, “In that day,” declares the LORD, “you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master.’ I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD.” (Hosea 2:16, 19-20)
In these passages there are two things Israel was punished for that are also very prevalent in our day. First, they did not acknowledge the blessings of God, and second, they rejected the knowledge of God. “She [Israel] has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold—which they used for Baal.” (Hosea 2:8) We have to teach our children that everything we have is from God. He is the One who provides for all our needs. Without God, we would have absolutely nothing. I am extremely thankful that my parents taught me that everything we have belongs to God, and we should share all we have with others. My mom would literally give away the farm if God told her to because she knows He is the rightful owner.
“My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I will also ignore your children.” (Hosea 4:6) Ladies, you do NOT want God to ignore your children!!! But He says He will ignore them when we ignore our responsibility to teach them the law of God. Do you read the Bible with your children and grandchildren? Do you pray with them? Do you pray for them? Have you taught your children how to find the books in the Bible? Do you help them memorize Scripture? “Thy word have I hidden in my heart that I may not sin against Thee.” (Psalm 119:11) Have you helped your children come to trust Jesus as their Savior? As parents it is up to us to make sure our kids will spend eternity in heaven. Dr. James Dobson commented how tragic it would be to lose our children to eternity. Talk to your family about placing their faith in Jesus today, before it is too late.
Well, when we take a good, hard look at the lives of most of God’s chosen ones anywhere in the Bible, they did not live easy lives. I really don’t find it biblical that a blessed life is particularly an easy life. Just look at Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus. The angel said Mary had found favor with God; yet God called Mary to a life of heartache and misery. And King David was a “man after God’s own heart”; yet his family life was a shambles with his children killing and raping one another and then attempting to overthrow David’s kingship. Sorry, I’m rambling. We’re supposed to be studying Hosea.
Hosea’s assignment from the LORD was to marry an adulterous wife and be a father to children conceived in unfaithfulness. Doesn’t sound like a cake walk to me! As a pastor’s wife, I know what it’s like to live in a fish bowl, where everyone can walk by and see everything that is going on in the life of your family. It especially feels like that right now because our house is located on the busiest street corner in the county! However, my situation is far more pleasant than Hosea and Gomer’s home life. Their family was called to be a reflection of God’s relationship to the unfaithful people of Israel. Their children were named things like “God scatters,” “Not loved,” and “Not my people.” Hosea was forced to buy back his own wife out of the trade of prostitution. I much prefer the calling that my own family has to play the role of the faithful Bride of Christ.
Chapters 1-4 of Hosea offer harsh criticism for Israel because of her unfaithfulness. My prayer for my family is that we will remain faithful and true to our love relationship with God. I want the following verses to be true of us, “In that day,” declares the LORD, “you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master.’ I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD.” (Hosea 2:16, 19-20)
In these passages there are two things Israel was punished for that are also very prevalent in our day. First, they did not acknowledge the blessings of God, and second, they rejected the knowledge of God. “She [Israel] has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold—which they used for Baal.” (Hosea 2:8) We have to teach our children that everything we have is from God. He is the One who provides for all our needs. Without God, we would have absolutely nothing. I am extremely thankful that my parents taught me that everything we have belongs to God, and we should share all we have with others. My mom would literally give away the farm if God told her to because she knows He is the rightful owner.
“My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I will also ignore your children.” (Hosea 4:6) Ladies, you do NOT want God to ignore your children!!! But He says He will ignore them when we ignore our responsibility to teach them the law of God. Do you read the Bible with your children and grandchildren? Do you pray with them? Do you pray for them? Have you taught your children how to find the books in the Bible? Do you help them memorize Scripture? “Thy word have I hidden in my heart that I may not sin against Thee.” (Psalm 119:11) Have you helped your children come to trust Jesus as their Savior? As parents it is up to us to make sure our kids will spend eternity in heaven. Dr. James Dobson commented how tragic it would be to lose our children to eternity. Talk to your family about placing their faith in Jesus today, before it is too late.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Isaiah 6
Oh, how I long for heaven, and Isaiah 6 makes me wish even more to be in the presence of God. This world is not my home, and there are lots of things that make me sad and uncomfortable here. While I love being with my family and friends, I’m ready to skip to the end of the story when Jesus comes to take all the Believers to His heavenly kingdom. Trent makes fun of me because I always read the last page of any book before I actually get to the end. Usually I read two or three chapters, and then I flip to the back page to find out if my predictions about the conclusion are going to come true. Trent thinks that ruins the story, but it doesn’t for me. I don’t really like surprises, and I don’t like being kept in suspense. I want to know what’s coming around the corner at me. So, knowing the end of the story keeps me reading because I know what to expect. And if it’s a really great story, then I can hardly read fast enough. Well, God’s story of mankind is absolutely the best story I have ever read, and I’ve read it through several times, and it gets better with each reading. The end of the story tells me that because Jesus is my Savior I will get to live with Him in heaven for eternity. I can hardly wait, girls. The suspense is killing me!
Isaiah’s vision makes me hungry for a glimpse of God’s throne room. One of our youth group leaders in high school would often lead us in an extended time of meditation and prayer. She taught us to seek God’s presence. Even in a room full of teenagers, she helped us learn how to get alone with God so we could hear His voice and fall on our faces before His throne. Honestly, I haven’t done that in a long time. I let the distractions of this world drown out the voice of my heavenly Father calling me into peaceful relationship with Him. Even in my own living room, I find it difficult to quiet my spirit in order to commune with the Holy Spirit.
In 6:5 Isaiah recognizes that he is not worthy to be in the presence of the Holy God. None of us deserves an audience with the King of kings and Lord of Lords. But praise Jesus, He invites us to come boldly before His throne of grace! (Heb. 4:16) In Isaiah 6:6-7, the seraph cleanses Isaiah’s sin with a hot coal from the altar. You and I can have our sin washed away by the blood of Christ on the cross. Have you asked Him to cleanse your heart? Won’t you ask Him today?
After we come into God’s presence and He changes us to be more like Christ, then we must be ready to answer His call to go out. Come in, grow up, go out. This is the new pattern our women’s ministry plans to follow. We are good at inviting everyone to come just as they are, and now we want to help women grow in their relationship to God so that they can go out and serve their world. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (vs 8)
The rest of the story is a tough pill to swallow. Isaiah has answered the call to follow God, and God tells Isaiah that the job is going to be impossible. Isaiah will preach the message of salvation to people who will refuse to listen to him. They will be cruel to him and spit in his face. Their land will be destroyed and forsaken by God. Isaiah was asked to take on a thankless ministry, one doomed to failure in the eyes of the world. Would you and I readily accept such an assignment? I sincerely doubt it. Our family just moved to Oklahoma to minister to a very loving church. They have already blessed our socks off, as my husband would say! If God had told us to move some place where people were unfriendly, I am certain we would have said no. If God had told us that the people would never love us and that they would not respond to the messages God puts on Trent’s heart to deliver, would we have come? No, because in the church of today, we measure success just like the world does. We measure in numbers and in good feelings. So, if God has placed you in a thankless ministry, I want to encourage you today. Measure success according to God’s standard. He is looking for obedient hearts that are willing to follow Him even when the road is hard. Seek His face, and enjoy His approval instead of man’s.
Isaiah’s vision makes me hungry for a glimpse of God’s throne room. One of our youth group leaders in high school would often lead us in an extended time of meditation and prayer. She taught us to seek God’s presence. Even in a room full of teenagers, she helped us learn how to get alone with God so we could hear His voice and fall on our faces before His throne. Honestly, I haven’t done that in a long time. I let the distractions of this world drown out the voice of my heavenly Father calling me into peaceful relationship with Him. Even in my own living room, I find it difficult to quiet my spirit in order to commune with the Holy Spirit.
In 6:5 Isaiah recognizes that he is not worthy to be in the presence of the Holy God. None of us deserves an audience with the King of kings and Lord of Lords. But praise Jesus, He invites us to come boldly before His throne of grace! (Heb. 4:16) In Isaiah 6:6-7, the seraph cleanses Isaiah’s sin with a hot coal from the altar. You and I can have our sin washed away by the blood of Christ on the cross. Have you asked Him to cleanse your heart? Won’t you ask Him today?
After we come into God’s presence and He changes us to be more like Christ, then we must be ready to answer His call to go out. Come in, grow up, go out. This is the new pattern our women’s ministry plans to follow. We are good at inviting everyone to come just as they are, and now we want to help women grow in their relationship to God so that they can go out and serve their world. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (vs 8)
The rest of the story is a tough pill to swallow. Isaiah has answered the call to follow God, and God tells Isaiah that the job is going to be impossible. Isaiah will preach the message of salvation to people who will refuse to listen to him. They will be cruel to him and spit in his face. Their land will be destroyed and forsaken by God. Isaiah was asked to take on a thankless ministry, one doomed to failure in the eyes of the world. Would you and I readily accept such an assignment? I sincerely doubt it. Our family just moved to Oklahoma to minister to a very loving church. They have already blessed our socks off, as my husband would say! If God had told us to move some place where people were unfriendly, I am certain we would have said no. If God had told us that the people would never love us and that they would not respond to the messages God puts on Trent’s heart to deliver, would we have come? No, because in the church of today, we measure success just like the world does. We measure in numbers and in good feelings. So, if God has placed you in a thankless ministry, I want to encourage you today. Measure success according to God’s standard. He is looking for obedient hearts that are willing to follow Him even when the road is hard. Seek His face, and enjoy His approval instead of man’s.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Isaiah 2
Isaiah 2:3b--"He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." God is our teacher. Are we being diligent students of His Word? We are always whining about not knowing what God is going to do. Let's start listening to the Spirit's voice telling us, "This is the way, walk ye in it." (Isaiah 30:21)
Isaiah 2:6--"Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD." "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Ps. 119:105) O house of Jacob refers to God's people. God's Word to His people is the Bible, and when we read it, we receive direction concerning where God wants us to go and what He wants us to do. A lamp, however, gives light for only one or two steps at a time. Therefore, we must trust God with the big map of our lives as we obediently follow Him one step at a time, one day at a time.
Isaiah 2:6-9 is a very thought-provoking passage. It begins by saying God has abandoned His people, but it continues by saying that the land is full, full of superstitions, full of silver and gold, full of treasures, full of horses and chariots, full of idols. It ends by saying mankind will be humbled. The Jews believed that God's blessing brought prosperity, yet these verses indicate prosperity did not satisfy their longing for relationship with God. I can see this reflected in our own day and time. Our society is full of supersitions, silver, gold, treasures, material wealth, and idols, but our souls are not satisfied because prosperity does not equal relationship to our Creator God. My prayer for our nation is that we (myself included) will stop longing for wealth and financial stability and that we will start chasing after a love relationship with the One True God. Mankind will be humbled. I would much rather bow down willingly before God's throne than to beg for His mercy after tragedy has struck.
Three times this chapter tells us to hide "from the dread of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty." (vs. 10, 19, & 21) My first thought was, "Oh, but I want to see God's majesty!" But not in the context of His judgment on mankind. He is the God who melts mountains and rises to shake the earth. I think we would all want to run and hide in the hills when the wrath of God is unleashed. Praise Jesus because of His sacrifice, which allows us to stand clean before the throne of judgment. We don't often realize the significance of Christ taking our place. He endured the wrath of God so we wouldn't have to. Because of Jesus, I do not have to run and hide from the Father. Hallelujah!
Isaiah 2:11-12 talk of the day of the LORD. The arrogant and proud will be humbled in that day because the LORD alone will be exalted. Let's exalt His Name in our day, ladies. As my husband says, "I want to be at the head of the parade. I don't want to be at the back of the parade."
Isaiah 2:22--"Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?" Who or what am I trusting in instead of trusting in God? People? Job? Finances? My own abilities? Of what account is any of it? I'm trusting in Christ, the Solid Rock! Will you join me?
Isaiah 2:6--"Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD." "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Ps. 119:105) O house of Jacob refers to God's people. God's Word to His people is the Bible, and when we read it, we receive direction concerning where God wants us to go and what He wants us to do. A lamp, however, gives light for only one or two steps at a time. Therefore, we must trust God with the big map of our lives as we obediently follow Him one step at a time, one day at a time.
Isaiah 2:6-9 is a very thought-provoking passage. It begins by saying God has abandoned His people, but it continues by saying that the land is full, full of superstitions, full of silver and gold, full of treasures, full of horses and chariots, full of idols. It ends by saying mankind will be humbled. The Jews believed that God's blessing brought prosperity, yet these verses indicate prosperity did not satisfy their longing for relationship with God. I can see this reflected in our own day and time. Our society is full of supersitions, silver, gold, treasures, material wealth, and idols, but our souls are not satisfied because prosperity does not equal relationship to our Creator God. My prayer for our nation is that we (myself included) will stop longing for wealth and financial stability and that we will start chasing after a love relationship with the One True God. Mankind will be humbled. I would much rather bow down willingly before God's throne than to beg for His mercy after tragedy has struck.
Three times this chapter tells us to hide "from the dread of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty." (vs. 10, 19, & 21) My first thought was, "Oh, but I want to see God's majesty!" But not in the context of His judgment on mankind. He is the God who melts mountains and rises to shake the earth. I think we would all want to run and hide in the hills when the wrath of God is unleashed. Praise Jesus because of His sacrifice, which allows us to stand clean before the throne of judgment. We don't often realize the significance of Christ taking our place. He endured the wrath of God so we wouldn't have to. Because of Jesus, I do not have to run and hide from the Father. Hallelujah!
Isaiah 2:11-12 talk of the day of the LORD. The arrogant and proud will be humbled in that day because the LORD alone will be exalted. Let's exalt His Name in our day, ladies. As my husband says, "I want to be at the head of the parade. I don't want to be at the back of the parade."
Isaiah 2:22--"Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?" Who or what am I trusting in instead of trusting in God? People? Job? Finances? My own abilities? Of what account is any of it? I'm trusting in Christ, the Solid Rock! Will you join me?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Isaiah 1
Isaiah 1:2—“I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.” I know several parents who brought up their children to know God, but the children have chosen to rebel. Even God’s children rebelled against Him. So, parents keep praying fervently for your prodigal children, but quit beating yourselves up about it. As our children grow up, they become responsible for their own choices. Let’s follow God’s example of loving our children continuously, but remember that sometimes our children need tough love. Be sure you are not enabling your children to continue living in sin. Get out of the way and let God have His way in their lives.
Isaiah 1:13—“Stop bringing meaningless offerings!” Ouch. Anyone else feel convicted? I think our poor excuses for not serving and worshiping wholeheartedly are meaningless offerings. “Sorry I didn’t have time to do Bible study this week. I was just too tired.” “Sorry I didn’t come to church for worship. I had a long week at work.” “Sorry I can’t help with that mission project. I have to stay home and watch Dancing with the Stars.”
Isaiah 1:15—“When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen.” Have you ever been guilty of telling someone God always hears their prayers? I have. According to this scripture, God will not listen to us when we have sin in our lives. Verses 16-17 say, “Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!” Until we confess and turn from our sin, God is not obligated to listen to us. By the way, God is not obligated to give us everything we ask for, even when we have made ourselves clean before Him. In America, we feel entitled to whatever pleases us. We act like spoiled brats when God doesn’t give us the answer we want when we want it. That’s dangerous!
Isaiah 1:18—“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” I love this verse! God wants to heal the relationship we have with Him. He does not want our sin to be an obstacle in our lives. So, He offers us the perfect solution. Through the blood of Christ, God washes our sins away and makes us clean. All we have to do is come to Him as humble children, and He will forgive us completely. Why do we make it difficult? Verse 19 says we must be “willing and obedient.” Instead, we “resist and rebel” as in verse 20. Oh, stubborn heart. . . .
The relationship between God and His people became a vicious cycle, and Isaiah 1:21-31 describes it well. The people would sin (v. 21-23), and God would wipe them out (v. 24-25). Then God would restore His people to righteousness (25-27), but the people would return to their familiar sins (v. 28-31). Do you and I have any familiar sins we slip back into after God has faithfully restored our relationship with Him? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any pet sins in your life. Ask Him to cleanse your heart and teach you to do right. Stay faithful to God one day at a time. The rewards will be great!
We will read Isaiah chapters 2 & 6 next. Thanks for reading along.
Isaiah 1:13—“Stop bringing meaningless offerings!” Ouch. Anyone else feel convicted? I think our poor excuses for not serving and worshiping wholeheartedly are meaningless offerings. “Sorry I didn’t have time to do Bible study this week. I was just too tired.” “Sorry I didn’t come to church for worship. I had a long week at work.” “Sorry I can’t help with that mission project. I have to stay home and watch Dancing with the Stars.”
Isaiah 1:15—“When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen.” Have you ever been guilty of telling someone God always hears their prayers? I have. According to this scripture, God will not listen to us when we have sin in our lives. Verses 16-17 say, “Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!” Until we confess and turn from our sin, God is not obligated to listen to us. By the way, God is not obligated to give us everything we ask for, even when we have made ourselves clean before Him. In America, we feel entitled to whatever pleases us. We act like spoiled brats when God doesn’t give us the answer we want when we want it. That’s dangerous!
Isaiah 1:18—“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” I love this verse! God wants to heal the relationship we have with Him. He does not want our sin to be an obstacle in our lives. So, He offers us the perfect solution. Through the blood of Christ, God washes our sins away and makes us clean. All we have to do is come to Him as humble children, and He will forgive us completely. Why do we make it difficult? Verse 19 says we must be “willing and obedient.” Instead, we “resist and rebel” as in verse 20. Oh, stubborn heart. . . .
The relationship between God and His people became a vicious cycle, and Isaiah 1:21-31 describes it well. The people would sin (v. 21-23), and God would wipe them out (v. 24-25). Then God would restore His people to righteousness (25-27), but the people would return to their familiar sins (v. 28-31). Do you and I have any familiar sins we slip back into after God has faithfully restored our relationship with Him? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any pet sins in your life. Ask Him to cleanse your heart and teach you to do right. Stay faithful to God one day at a time. The rewards will be great!
We will read Isaiah chapters 2 & 6 next. Thanks for reading along.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Joel 2, Jonah 1, Amos 3, Micah 1-2
I know, I know. That's a lot to read, and not much of it is fun reading either. All of these prophets foretold of the Lord's judgment on the Israelites. I'm not an expert in prophecy; so I can't tell you if these prophecies have all been fulfilled already or if they are still a part of the last day judgments to come. So, here's how I'm going to blog these passages. I have chosen one verse from each passage that really jumped off the page, and I am going to write about each of those verses. If you find other verses you like better, I hope you will post a comment and let us know. We don't want to miss out on any of God's blessings from His Word.
Did you read all the chapters? Okay then, let's get started!
Joel 2:13-14--"Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing."
You and I typically do not mourn for our sin like the Israelites did. They would tear (rend) their clothes and put ashes on their heads or wear sackcloth (an itchy, uncomfortable garment) as an outward sign that they were sorry for their sins. Joel was telling them that the repentance needed to be of the heart, not merely an outward show for everyone to see. Frankly, you and I do not take our personal sins that seriously. We think God should have a forgive and forget attitude whether we get on our faces to ask forgiveness or not. We jump right to the idea of God being gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love, showing us pity, and blessing. What about the idea that God has every right to send calamity on our families because of the sinful choices we make every day? Who knows? He may have pity on us, but should He if we are not willing to beg for mercy in the first place? We do serve a merciful God, but we should never take His goodness for granted. Get on your knees before Jesus in humility because you love Him and because you want to serve Him with your life.
Jonah 1:14c--"for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased."
Did you catch that? It pleased God to send a storm and a big fish to swallow Jo-Jo-Jo-Jo-Jo-Jo-Jonah. (Sorry, I started singing the song I learned in Sunday School.) Why would it please God to send calamity on Jonah? Because Jonah was living in direct disobedience to the will of God. Doesn't God want to bless His children with good gifts? Absolutely, but does that mean He won't spank our hineys and put us in a three-day timeout? Uh . . . evidently not.
Amos 3:7--"Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets."
Micah 1:3-4--"Look! The LORD is coming from his dwelling place; he comes down and treads the high places of the earth. The mountains melt beneath him and the valleys split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope."
Now, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout! I want to serve the God who melts mountains and splits valleys! When God comes to rescue me from the mess I'm in, I don't want Him sitting in His rocking chair telling the angels to get me a band-aid. I want His Holy Presence coming from His dwelling place. Absolutely! However, I want Him coming after my enemies. I don't want God to come down from His throne because He aims to discipline my unrepentant heart. Think about this. When the principal walked into the classroom at your elementary school, did you want to be the bad kid he was after, or did you want to be the kid who had already fessed up to the teacher? I want to be the child of God who confesses sin immediately and gets back on the straight and narrow without having to be forced. Invite God to step into your life today, ladies. The things you fear will melt like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope.
Okay, I want to hear from you now. Did I pick your favorite verses, or did I miss a goodie?
Did you read all the chapters? Okay then, let's get started!
Joel 2:13-14--"Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing."
You and I typically do not mourn for our sin like the Israelites did. They would tear (rend) their clothes and put ashes on their heads or wear sackcloth (an itchy, uncomfortable garment) as an outward sign that they were sorry for their sins. Joel was telling them that the repentance needed to be of the heart, not merely an outward show for everyone to see. Frankly, you and I do not take our personal sins that seriously. We think God should have a forgive and forget attitude whether we get on our faces to ask forgiveness or not. We jump right to the idea of God being gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love, showing us pity, and blessing. What about the idea that God has every right to send calamity on our families because of the sinful choices we make every day? Who knows? He may have pity on us, but should He if we are not willing to beg for mercy in the first place? We do serve a merciful God, but we should never take His goodness for granted. Get on your knees before Jesus in humility because you love Him and because you want to serve Him with your life.
Jonah 1:14c--"for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased."
Did you catch that? It pleased God to send a storm and a big fish to swallow Jo-Jo-Jo-Jo-Jo-Jo-Jonah. (Sorry, I started singing the song I learned in Sunday School.) Why would it please God to send calamity on Jonah? Because Jonah was living in direct disobedience to the will of God. Doesn't God want to bless His children with good gifts? Absolutely, but does that mean He won't spank our hineys and put us in a three-day timeout? Uh . . . evidently not.
Amos 3:7--"Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets."
Cool! As God's servants, we should be hearing from God about his plan for mankind. If we aren't, then maybe we should check our connection. Is yours plagued with static like mine has been? Get yourself a journal and turn off your music and get alone with God. Ask Him to reveal His heart to you so you can share it with the world. Then when He gives you a word, no matter how difficult it may be to swallow, you go be obedient and spread that word to your fellow men. If we don't share, then why should God share with us? The purpose of a prophet was to get God's word to the people. The word was never for the prophet alone.
Micah 1:3-4--"Look! The LORD is coming from his dwelling place; he comes down and treads the high places of the earth. The mountains melt beneath him and the valleys split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope."
Now, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout! I want to serve the God who melts mountains and splits valleys! When God comes to rescue me from the mess I'm in, I don't want Him sitting in His rocking chair telling the angels to get me a band-aid. I want His Holy Presence coming from His dwelling place. Absolutely! However, I want Him coming after my enemies. I don't want God to come down from His throne because He aims to discipline my unrepentant heart. Think about this. When the principal walked into the classroom at your elementary school, did you want to be the bad kid he was after, or did you want to be the kid who had already fessed up to the teacher? I want to be the child of God who confesses sin immediately and gets back on the straight and narrow without having to be forced. Invite God to step into your life today, ladies. The things you fear will melt like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope.
Okay, I want to hear from you now. Did I pick your favorite verses, or did I miss a goodie?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
2 Chronicles 24-26
Same song, second verse. 2 Chronicles 24 is a repeat of 2 Kings 12. I just want to point out a couple of verses that caught my attention.
Verse 10—“All the officials and all the people brought their contributions gladly, dropping them into the chest until it was full.” Do you bring your tithes and offerings to church gladly? Being able to give back to the LORD a portion of what He has blessed you with should be an important part of your worship. My husband and I always make sure our tithe check is the first one we write on payday. We want to offer God the firstfruits of our labor, not the leftovers. God pours out His richest blessings in our lives when we honor Him first. Will you thank God next time you write a check for a tenth of your income as an offering to Him? Or will you continue to grumble that the church only wants your money? Become an active participant in worship at your church and give gladly to God.
I was surprised at the contrast between Jehoiada and Joash in 2 Chronicles. The 2 Kings passage did not point out some of the details. For example, in 2 Chronicles 24:16, we are told that Jehoiada was buried with the kings because of the good he had done in Israel for God and his temple. In 24:15 we are told that Joash was buried, but not in the tombs of the kings. Jehoiada the priest was buried with the kings. Joash the king was not. This tells me that my position in life does not determine my potential to impact my world. Joash did not use his high position to bring about good. Jehoaida used his humble position to effect positive change. Will you and I allow God to use us in our homes and workplaces today? Will you “bloom where you are planted?”
2 Chronicles 24-26 tells us the story of three kings of Judah: Joash, Amaziah, and Uzziah. The Bible says all three of these kings “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.” The Bible also tells us the names of the mothers of these three kings: Zibiah, Jehoaddin, and Jecoliah. I think it is totally cool that the three good kings of Judah all had moms who were worth mentioning. Usually the females were not listed in the genealogies. Behind every great world leader is a great mom. I wanna be that kind of mom!
2 Chronicles 25:2 tells us that Amaziah “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly.” Are you and I serving Jesus wholeheartedly? I do not want to be known as a half-hearted Christian. I’m fairly certain that would be the type of person Jesus mentioned in Revelation 3:16. A half-hearted Christian makes Jesus sick to His stomach. Does my service in God’s kingdom make Him joyful, or does it make Him want to vomit?
2 Chronicles 25:5-12 happens to be an example of Amaziah doing the right thing, but only after a man of God confronted him. Amaziah counted his soldiers in Judah and came up with 300,000 men. He decided to hire 100,000 more soldiers from Israel. The man of God told Amaziah that he needed to send the Israelite troops home because the LORD was not with Israel. “God has the power to help or to overthrow.” (v. 8) I think we have broached this subject before. Verses like this mess with our postmodern theology. We think God is always going to be on our side to help us out of the battles we get ourselves into. It’s time for us to wake up and realize that when we face strong resistance, it is very possible that God sent the opposition to bring our disobedient hearts to a halt. Where are you facing hardship? Instead of blaming it all on the devil, take a second look to make sure you are hearing God’s voice on the issue.
Then Amaziah was worried about the 100 talents he had paid to hire the troops. “The man of God replied, “The LORD can give you much more than that.” (v. 9) Amen! Why do I worry about petty financial losses when I know for a fact that God can give me much more? Amaziah did the right thing and sent the Israelites home, and God helped Judah win the battle. Unfortunately, the disgruntled Israelites ransacked several towns on their way home. Amaziah then did the stupid thing by bowing down to the gods of Edom. “The anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him, who said, ‘Why do you consult this people’s gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?’” (v. 15) Instead of listening to the godly prophet, Amaziah consulted his own advisers who told him to pick a fight with Israel. What a sad way to end his kingly reign, in direct disobedience to the Word of God.
2 Chronicles 26 is the story of King Uzziah. He became king when he was only 16, and he depended heavily on men like Zechariah and Isaiah to give him godly wisdom. This Zechariah was not the guy who wrote an Old Testament book. The author of Zechariah was born in Babylonian exile a couple hundred years later. Isaiah, however, mentions Uzziah in Isaiah 6:1—“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the LORD, seated on a throne, high and lifted up . . . .” 2 Chronicles 26:22 mentions the prophet Isaiah.
2 Chronicles 26:5 is a very telling verse, “As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.” Let’s seek the LORD, ladies! Verse 16 is even more telling, “But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.” Dear Jesus, keep me humble! Honestly, this subject has been a personal battle. In my younger days, I was overly self-confident and prideful. I pretty much thought I was God’s gift to mankind. Lately, however, the enemy has been filling my head with lies telling me that I have nothing important to offer and that I should sit down and shut up. Pray for me that I will listen to God’s voice instead.
Okay, we have waded our way through most of the kings of Israel and Judah. Next, we are going to hop, skip, and jump through the prophets. We will start with Joel, Jonah, Amos and Micah. If you need a copy of the reading plan we are following, go to the following link at biblegateway.com. Print it out and carry it in your Bible so you can read along with us. Thanks again for joining me on this journey!
Verse 10—“All the officials and all the people brought their contributions gladly, dropping them into the chest until it was full.” Do you bring your tithes and offerings to church gladly? Being able to give back to the LORD a portion of what He has blessed you with should be an important part of your worship. My husband and I always make sure our tithe check is the first one we write on payday. We want to offer God the firstfruits of our labor, not the leftovers. God pours out His richest blessings in our lives when we honor Him first. Will you thank God next time you write a check for a tenth of your income as an offering to Him? Or will you continue to grumble that the church only wants your money? Become an active participant in worship at your church and give gladly to God.
I was surprised at the contrast between Jehoiada and Joash in 2 Chronicles. The 2 Kings passage did not point out some of the details. For example, in 2 Chronicles 24:16, we are told that Jehoiada was buried with the kings because of the good he had done in Israel for God and his temple. In 24:15 we are told that Joash was buried, but not in the tombs of the kings. Jehoiada the priest was buried with the kings. Joash the king was not. This tells me that my position in life does not determine my potential to impact my world. Joash did not use his high position to bring about good. Jehoaida used his humble position to effect positive change. Will you and I allow God to use us in our homes and workplaces today? Will you “bloom where you are planted?”
2 Chronicles 24-26 tells us the story of three kings of Judah: Joash, Amaziah, and Uzziah. The Bible says all three of these kings “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.” The Bible also tells us the names of the mothers of these three kings: Zibiah, Jehoaddin, and Jecoliah. I think it is totally cool that the three good kings of Judah all had moms who were worth mentioning. Usually the females were not listed in the genealogies. Behind every great world leader is a great mom. I wanna be that kind of mom!
2 Chronicles 25:2 tells us that Amaziah “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly.” Are you and I serving Jesus wholeheartedly? I do not want to be known as a half-hearted Christian. I’m fairly certain that would be the type of person Jesus mentioned in Revelation 3:16. A half-hearted Christian makes Jesus sick to His stomach. Does my service in God’s kingdom make Him joyful, or does it make Him want to vomit?
2 Chronicles 25:5-12 happens to be an example of Amaziah doing the right thing, but only after a man of God confronted him. Amaziah counted his soldiers in Judah and came up with 300,000 men. He decided to hire 100,000 more soldiers from Israel. The man of God told Amaziah that he needed to send the Israelite troops home because the LORD was not with Israel. “God has the power to help or to overthrow.” (v. 8) I think we have broached this subject before. Verses like this mess with our postmodern theology. We think God is always going to be on our side to help us out of the battles we get ourselves into. It’s time for us to wake up and realize that when we face strong resistance, it is very possible that God sent the opposition to bring our disobedient hearts to a halt. Where are you facing hardship? Instead of blaming it all on the devil, take a second look to make sure you are hearing God’s voice on the issue.
Then Amaziah was worried about the 100 talents he had paid to hire the troops. “The man of God replied, “The LORD can give you much more than that.” (v. 9) Amen! Why do I worry about petty financial losses when I know for a fact that God can give me much more? Amaziah did the right thing and sent the Israelites home, and God helped Judah win the battle. Unfortunately, the disgruntled Israelites ransacked several towns on their way home. Amaziah then did the stupid thing by bowing down to the gods of Edom. “The anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him, who said, ‘Why do you consult this people’s gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?’” (v. 15) Instead of listening to the godly prophet, Amaziah consulted his own advisers who told him to pick a fight with Israel. What a sad way to end his kingly reign, in direct disobedience to the Word of God.
2 Chronicles 26 is the story of King Uzziah. He became king when he was only 16, and he depended heavily on men like Zechariah and Isaiah to give him godly wisdom. This Zechariah was not the guy who wrote an Old Testament book. The author of Zechariah was born in Babylonian exile a couple hundred years later. Isaiah, however, mentions Uzziah in Isaiah 6:1—“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the LORD, seated on a throne, high and lifted up . . . .” 2 Chronicles 26:22 mentions the prophet Isaiah.
2 Chronicles 26:5 is a very telling verse, “As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.” Let’s seek the LORD, ladies! Verse 16 is even more telling, “But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.” Dear Jesus, keep me humble! Honestly, this subject has been a personal battle. In my younger days, I was overly self-confident and prideful. I pretty much thought I was God’s gift to mankind. Lately, however, the enemy has been filling my head with lies telling me that I have nothing important to offer and that I should sit down and shut up. Pray for me that I will listen to God’s voice instead.
Okay, we have waded our way through most of the kings of Israel and Judah. Next, we are going to hop, skip, and jump through the prophets. We will start with Joel, Jonah, Amos and Micah. If you need a copy of the reading plan we are following, go to the following link at biblegateway.com. Print it out and carry it in your Bible so you can read along with us. Thanks again for joining me on this journey!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
2 Kings 11-12
2 Kings 11:1—“When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family.” Treacherous! It is really hard for me to write about women like Athaliah. In fact, if I were doing this chronological study by myself rather than on my public blog, I probably would have read this passage and then moved on without processing it too much. I don’t understand women like Athaliah who seek fame and success at the cost of their families. I cannot relate to the idea of a woman who would have her children and grandchildren killed so that she could ascend to the throne. You and I would never annihilate our families. Would we? Do we ever devastate our families with our harsh words? Do we ever slay our husbands or children with an evil stare? Do our nasty attitudes tear down the spiritual protection we should be providing for our families? God is reminding me that there is a little bit of Athaliah in each one of us. Let’s pray for God’s strength to allow the Holy Spirit to rule our lives instead.
Hurray for Jehosheba, the aunt of Joash! She took the risk to hide her nephew from the wrath of the queen mother. I was wondering how Athaliah didn’t find Joash. I guess she must not have gone to worship at the Lord’s temple too often. I also wonder if she even knew she had a grandson named Joash. Verse 3 says they hid him for six years, and verse 21 says Joash was seven years old when he began to reign. He was a newborn when Jehosheba took him into hiding. Wow! Can you imagine having a seven-year-old rule your country?
Hurray for Jehoiada the priest! He took the risk to bring Joash to the throne. If God told you to anoint a seven-year-old as king to overthrow his grandmother, would you be obedient?? And I always pictured priests as being meek and mild. Ha! Not Jehoiada. He was a warrior priest. Hurray for Jehoiada! He took the risk of being a mentor to Joash. “Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him.” (2 Kings 12:2) Who are you mentoring?
Joash decided to have the priests repair the temple. They collected money, but they didn’t do any repairs. Ha! That sounds like me. I like to save money, but I don’t like to spend it. Anyway, when Joash turned 30, he finally confronted Jehoiada and told him to quit hoarding and start putting the money to good use. So Jehoiada used the money to hire carpenters and builders. I thought 2 Kings 12:15 was really interesting—“They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty.” Wow! I wish we all acted with complete honesty today. Let’s make a pact to be people of our word.
The Scriptures do not tell us any other accomplishments of Joash except that he repaired the temple. 2 Chronicles 24 tells the rest of the story concerning the assassination of Joash. Joash turned against God’s law after his mentor Jehoiada passed away. That is so sad. Once again we have an example of a king who did not stay close to God as he grew older. I don’t want us to repeat that pattern in our lives. Let’s hold one another accountable to staying true to our faith in the Living God.
Hurray for Jehosheba, the aunt of Joash! She took the risk to hide her nephew from the wrath of the queen mother. I was wondering how Athaliah didn’t find Joash. I guess she must not have gone to worship at the Lord’s temple too often. I also wonder if she even knew she had a grandson named Joash. Verse 3 says they hid him for six years, and verse 21 says Joash was seven years old when he began to reign. He was a newborn when Jehosheba took him into hiding. Wow! Can you imagine having a seven-year-old rule your country?
Hurray for Jehoiada the priest! He took the risk to bring Joash to the throne. If God told you to anoint a seven-year-old as king to overthrow his grandmother, would you be obedient?? And I always pictured priests as being meek and mild. Ha! Not Jehoiada. He was a warrior priest. Hurray for Jehoiada! He took the risk of being a mentor to Joash. “Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him.” (2 Kings 12:2) Who are you mentoring?
Joash decided to have the priests repair the temple. They collected money, but they didn’t do any repairs. Ha! That sounds like me. I like to save money, but I don’t like to spend it. Anyway, when Joash turned 30, he finally confronted Jehoiada and told him to quit hoarding and start putting the money to good use. So Jehoiada used the money to hire carpenters and builders. I thought 2 Kings 12:15 was really interesting—“They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty.” Wow! I wish we all acted with complete honesty today. Let’s make a pact to be people of our word.
The Scriptures do not tell us any other accomplishments of Joash except that he repaired the temple. 2 Chronicles 24 tells the rest of the story concerning the assassination of Joash. Joash turned against God’s law after his mentor Jehoiada passed away. That is so sad. Once again we have an example of a king who did not stay close to God as he grew older. I don’t want us to repeat that pattern in our lives. Let’s hold one another accountable to staying true to our faith in the Living God.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
2 Kings 6-7
The ax head floating is an interesting miracle, don’t you think? It reminds me that our God is interested in the details of our lives. Do you look for Him in the little things? There have been a number of times when I have lost something, and I have prayed for God to help me find it. I think it is a fun faith-building exercise. The most prominent memory I have of God revealing something I lost was when I could not find my kids’ school pictures. I sat down to put the photos in Christmas cards, but the pictures were not on my piano where I had left them. I prayed all day long, “God, You know exactly where these photos are, will you please tell me.” Early the next morning before I got out of bed, I prayed again, and God whispered, “They are in the dumpster. You threw them away when you sorted your mail.” I couldn’t get dressed fast enough! I quickly retrieved the bag of trash, and about a quarter of the way down, the pictures were sandwiched between a newspaper and a catalog. Jesus and I had a praise party all day long!
I love 2 Kings 6:16-17—“Don’t be afraid,” Elisha answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. Open my eyes, LORD!!! Remind me continually that “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world!” (I John 4:4) Does the enemy have you feeling defeated today? Beg the LORD to open your eyes so you can see the protection He provides for your life.
I think it is very intriguing that Elisha prays three times in this passage about eyesight. First he prayed for his servant to see the army of God. Next he prayed that the enemy would be struck with blindness. Finally, after he has brought the enemy into captivity within the city walls, he prayed the LORD would open their eyes again. Do you realize Elisha is praying about spiritual sight? Do you have trouble seeing God at work around you? Pray that He will heal your spiritual eyes. We know that God is always at work (John 5:17). Ask God to show you where He is working so you can get on board.
In verses 22-23, Elisha chooses to treat the enemy with kindness. He prepared a feast for them, and they returned the favor by stopping the raids on Israel. When Aram did start raiding again, however, the king blamed it on Elisha (v 31). I don’t quite get why the man of God should be blamed, but I guess kings need someone to be the scapegoat when things go wrong.
Verses 26-29 describe a desperate woman in desperate times. Girls, we should be grateful each morning when we rise out of our soft, warm beds to select an outfit from a crowded closet before eating a breakfast from a full cupboard. We have never truly known desperate times. I selfishly pray that Jesus will return before we have to face such devastation. LORD, come quickly!
Did you notice that as soon as the king sent a messenger to find Elisha, then the LORD lifted the siege? That makes me ponder. Would God have lifted the oppression sooner if the king had consulted Elisha sooner? What nastiness could I avoid if I would seek guidance from the Holy Spirit sooner rather than later?
Wouldn’t you love to watch the movie of the four men with leprosy who discovered the deserted Aramean camp? I can smell their fear as they approached the camp ready to surrender their lives because of their desperation for food. Then I can feel their jubilation when it dawns on them that the enemy is scattered and the bounty is theirs. Woohoo! I am so proud of the men for deciding not to keep the secret to themselves. You know they had every right to be greedy. Their society had abandoned them as leprous outcasts. These men had every reason to hoard all the blessings. But they chose instead to be men of integrity, men who did the right thing even when it cost them everything. Let’s be people like that! Let’s be people who share the goodness of God with everyone we meet rather than keeping the best for ourselves.
I sure hope the king rewarded those guys.
I love 2 Kings 6:16-17—“Don’t be afraid,” Elisha answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. Open my eyes, LORD!!! Remind me continually that “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world!” (I John 4:4) Does the enemy have you feeling defeated today? Beg the LORD to open your eyes so you can see the protection He provides for your life.
I think it is very intriguing that Elisha prays three times in this passage about eyesight. First he prayed for his servant to see the army of God. Next he prayed that the enemy would be struck with blindness. Finally, after he has brought the enemy into captivity within the city walls, he prayed the LORD would open their eyes again. Do you realize Elisha is praying about spiritual sight? Do you have trouble seeing God at work around you? Pray that He will heal your spiritual eyes. We know that God is always at work (John 5:17). Ask God to show you where He is working so you can get on board.
In verses 22-23, Elisha chooses to treat the enemy with kindness. He prepared a feast for them, and they returned the favor by stopping the raids on Israel. When Aram did start raiding again, however, the king blamed it on Elisha (v 31). I don’t quite get why the man of God should be blamed, but I guess kings need someone to be the scapegoat when things go wrong.
Verses 26-29 describe a desperate woman in desperate times. Girls, we should be grateful each morning when we rise out of our soft, warm beds to select an outfit from a crowded closet before eating a breakfast from a full cupboard. We have never truly known desperate times. I selfishly pray that Jesus will return before we have to face such devastation. LORD, come quickly!
Did you notice that as soon as the king sent a messenger to find Elisha, then the LORD lifted the siege? That makes me ponder. Would God have lifted the oppression sooner if the king had consulted Elisha sooner? What nastiness could I avoid if I would seek guidance from the Holy Spirit sooner rather than later?
Wouldn’t you love to watch the movie of the four men with leprosy who discovered the deserted Aramean camp? I can smell their fear as they approached the camp ready to surrender their lives because of their desperation for food. Then I can feel their jubilation when it dawns on them that the enemy is scattered and the bounty is theirs. Woohoo! I am so proud of the men for deciding not to keep the secret to themselves. You know they had every right to be greedy. Their society had abandoned them as leprous outcasts. These men had every reason to hoard all the blessings. But they chose instead to be men of integrity, men who did the right thing even when it cost them everything. Let’s be people like that! Let’s be people who share the goodness of God with everyone we meet rather than keeping the best for ourselves.
I sure hope the king rewarded those guys.
Monday, October 27, 2008
2 Kings 2
I want to say a special “Thank You” to my fabulous husband for helping me with his insight for this passage. I was making it too hard looking for hidden meaning behind the three groups of prophets. I wanted to know how the prophets knew that Elijah was leaving and why Elisha didn’t want to talk about it. Why did Elijah keep trying to convince Elisha to stay behind? Trent pointed out that the central theme of this story is the mentoring relationship between Elijah and Elisha. Aha moment for me!
Mentoring has been a recurring theme in my thoughts lately. Trent’s marriage project will focus on mentoring. The members at our new church have brought up the idea of discipleship several times. One of the most rewarding times for me at our previous church was when I read through the Bible with women who were hungry to know God’s Word. I have always been grateful for the discipleship group my pastor had for my friends and I when we were young.
Reading about Elijah and Elisha’s relationship caused me to think of other biblical examples of mentoring. Naomi and Ruth, Eli and Samuel, Jesus and Peter, Paul and Timothy. In each case, the mentor poured himself into the life of another. In each case, the student was a faithful follower of the leader. The mentor saw potential in the student, and the student loved and admired the mentor. Were any of these relationships identical? Did any of them require the completion of an extensive curriculum? No. They were open and honest relationships where both parties were transparent with one another. Were these always easy relationships? No. Sometimes one party had to confront the other to keep the relationship on track. Did both mentor and student benefit from the relationship? Most definitely.
2 Kings 2:9-10—Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not.” I think we can gain important wisdom from this conversation between mentor and mentee.
1. The mentor needs to understand what the mentee needs from her.
2. The mentee must set specific goals for her learning.
3. The mentor must hold the mentee accountable to meet certain expectations.
4. The mentee must be faithful to do what the mentor requires.
Once a few ground rules are in place, the rest is all about relationship. Author and speaker Chris Adams says it is about “doing life together.” Author and pastor Max Lucado speaks about “being a faucet of love” in someone else’s life.
Can I challenge you to pray and ask for God’s guidance about entering into a mentoring relationship? Do you need someone to pour her knowledge into your life? Ask her to be your mentor. Has God brought someone into your life you know needs encouragement to start her journey with God? Ask her to simply read the Bible with you. Then let God build your relationship and grow it deep in His goodness and truth.
I am praying. Will you?
Thursday, October 23, 2008
2 Kings 1
As we continue our study of the prophet Elijah, I like this story much better than yesterday's. Fire from heaven is much more in line with how we typically picture God's judgment of evil, don't you think? After all, we want to worship an all-powerful God, don't we--just as long as He doesn't use any of His lightning bolts on us personally?
Poor King Ahaziah. You can read about his appointment to be king in the last few verses of 1 Kings 22. He really had no hope to succeed, what with being the child of Ahab and Jezebel and all. With mentors like that, who needs antagonists? King Ahaziah's reign is doomed from the start, and you get the feeling he was aware of this fact. He sent messengers to inquire of a foreign god to find out whether or not he would recover from a fall through lattice. Okay, who walks on lattice and doesn't expect to fall through it?? Anyway, did you notice that Ahaziah is not asking this foreign god for healing? He is just looking for a confirmation or denial of what he already dreads will be the answer.
Did Ahaziah not realize that God would know what he was up to? Come on, Ahaziah had heard the story of Elijah. He recognized Elijah from a simple description of his wardrobe in 2 Kings 1:8. ("He was a man with a garment of hair and with a leather belt around his waist." The king said, "That was Elijah the Tishbite.") If I knew my parents were defeated by the God of Elijah, I'm thinking I would figure out how to please this God and avoid His wrath. Can you tell that I don't have much patience for people who choose the wrong road in life? I just want to put a leash on them and drag them down the straight and narrow road. Okay, you're right, that doesn't really yield the results I'm looking for most of the time.
So, on with our story. After the messengers came back with confirmation from Elijah that Ahaziah would not recover, Ahaziah tried to intimidate the prophet. Should you threaten the God of the Universe with a captain and fifty men? Hmmm. Evidently not. It didn't work the first two times, but Ahaziah must have thought the third time would be the charm. "So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. "Man of God," he begged, "please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!" (2 Kings 1:13-14) I hope the third captain got a pay raise!
So, God told Elijah to travel with captain #3 to deliver the message to Ahaziah face-to-face. "You will certainly die!" (2 Kings 1:16) "So he died. . . ." (2 Kings 1:17)
End of story.
I think you will enjoy tomorrow's story. Will you read 2 Kings 2, and we will witness the ascension of Elijah and the empowering of Elisha together!
Poor King Ahaziah. You can read about his appointment to be king in the last few verses of 1 Kings 22. He really had no hope to succeed, what with being the child of Ahab and Jezebel and all. With mentors like that, who needs antagonists? King Ahaziah's reign is doomed from the start, and you get the feeling he was aware of this fact. He sent messengers to inquire of a foreign god to find out whether or not he would recover from a fall through lattice. Okay, who walks on lattice and doesn't expect to fall through it?? Anyway, did you notice that Ahaziah is not asking this foreign god for healing? He is just looking for a confirmation or denial of what he already dreads will be the answer.
Did Ahaziah not realize that God would know what he was up to? Come on, Ahaziah had heard the story of Elijah. He recognized Elijah from a simple description of his wardrobe in 2 Kings 1:8. ("He was a man with a garment of hair and with a leather belt around his waist." The king said, "That was Elijah the Tishbite.") If I knew my parents were defeated by the God of Elijah, I'm thinking I would figure out how to please this God and avoid His wrath. Can you tell that I don't have much patience for people who choose the wrong road in life? I just want to put a leash on them and drag them down the straight and narrow road. Okay, you're right, that doesn't really yield the results I'm looking for most of the time.
So, on with our story. After the messengers came back with confirmation from Elijah that Ahaziah would not recover, Ahaziah tried to intimidate the prophet. Should you threaten the God of the Universe with a captain and fifty men? Hmmm. Evidently not. It didn't work the first two times, but Ahaziah must have thought the third time would be the charm. "So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. "Man of God," he begged, "please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!" (2 Kings 1:13-14) I hope the third captain got a pay raise!
So, God told Elijah to travel with captain #3 to deliver the message to Ahaziah face-to-face. "You will certainly die!" (2 Kings 1:16) "So he died. . . ." (2 Kings 1:17)
End of story.
I think you will enjoy tomorrow's story. Will you read 2 Kings 2, and we will witness the ascension of Elijah and the empowering of Elisha together!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
1 Kings 21
I remember the story of Naboth's Vineyard from Sunday School when I was a little girl. It has never been my favorite story because the good guy loses to the bad guy. Let me sum it up.
Ahab has a pity party because Naboth won't sell him his vineyard. Naboth wanted to keep it because land was a very important inheritance to the Hebrew people. So Ahab's wife Jezebel had Naboth killed. I don't quite understand why she went to the trouble of declaring a day of fasting and having Naboth falsely accused by two scoundrels. But hey, Jezebel was evil, and that's the way evil people operate. After Naboth is stoned, Jezebel gives his vineyard to her wimpy husband. Then Elijah shows up and prophesies that Ahab's kingdom is doomed and that Jezebel will be fed to the dogs. Ahab humbles himself before God, and God postpones the punishment. Ahab dies in 1 Kings 22, and Jezebel meets her predicted death in 2 Kings 9.
What a pretty Sunday School story. It should reiterate to us that life on earth is not fair. The Bible never teaches that life was meant to be fair. Sometimes evil triumphs over good, but God is ultimately in control. I've read the end of the story, and our God wins!!!! His entire purpose is to bring glory to His Name, not to mine. My job is to trust Him no matter the circumstances I encounter in this earthly life. Let's keep our eyes focused on the finish line, where we will win the prize of eternity with Jesus Christ, our Savior and LORD! I'll race you to the end. :-)
Ahab has a pity party because Naboth won't sell him his vineyard. Naboth wanted to keep it because land was a very important inheritance to the Hebrew people. So Ahab's wife Jezebel had Naboth killed. I don't quite understand why she went to the trouble of declaring a day of fasting and having Naboth falsely accused by two scoundrels. But hey, Jezebel was evil, and that's the way evil people operate. After Naboth is stoned, Jezebel gives his vineyard to her wimpy husband. Then Elijah shows up and prophesies that Ahab's kingdom is doomed and that Jezebel will be fed to the dogs. Ahab humbles himself before God, and God postpones the punishment. Ahab dies in 1 Kings 22, and Jezebel meets her predicted death in 2 Kings 9.
What a pretty Sunday School story. It should reiterate to us that life on earth is not fair. The Bible never teaches that life was meant to be fair. Sometimes evil triumphs over good, but God is ultimately in control. I've read the end of the story, and our God wins!!!! His entire purpose is to bring glory to His Name, not to mine. My job is to trust Him no matter the circumstances I encounter in this earthly life. Let's keep our eyes focused on the finish line, where we will win the prize of eternity with Jesus Christ, our Savior and LORD! I'll race you to the end. :-)
Monday, October 20, 2008
I Kings 19
19:1—“Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done. . . .” Tattle-tale! I don’t think Ahab was the strong one in his marriage.
19:3—“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.” Our Elijah? The guy we’ve been reading about? No way!
19:4—“Elijah prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, LORD,’ he said. ‘Take my life.’” What happened to our fearless prophet? I bet you’ve been there. I certainly have been. Elijah was exhausted. His mountain-top experience with God, followed by a marathon run, took every ounce of energy Elijah had. He was ready to give up, but I am so thankful God did not give up on Elijah. God gave Elijah a 40-day vacation. Then He called him back into action.
Have you ever done a study on all the 40-day stories in the Bible? Noah’s 40-days and nights in the flood, the Israelites wandering for 40 years, Moses’ 40 days and nights on Mt. Sinai, the spies in Canaan exploring for 40 days, Goliath challenged Israel every morning and evening for 40 days, Elijah and Jesus both spent 40 days in the wilderness. There are also a handful of kings who reigned 40 years, and God punished Israel for 40 years in other stories besides the Moses story. The pattern of 40 typically indicates a time of testing for God’s people, and after the testing, God shows up. Has God taken you through any 40-day experiences? I just celebrated my 40th birthday! The possibility of God doing something miraculous in my life is terribly exciting!
In verses 9-10 and 13-14, God and Elijah have the same conversation twice. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” “Poor me. I’m the only one left!” Elijah was having a major pity party, but God was not going to let him stay there in the cave of despair. Did you notice that Elijah readily recognized God’s voice? Elijah had spent plenty of time alone with his LORD, and he knew exactly what God sounded like. Can you hear God’s gentle whisper in your life? I must admit that my mind is in such a whirlwind most of the time that it drowns out what God is trying to tell me. I think that is why I am enjoying my Bible study blog so much. It lets me get alone with God, and He speaks to me through His Word, and the Holy Spirit talks to me as I write. I remind myself that whether or not anyone responds to the blog, my main goal is to sit at the feet of Jesus and to glorify His Name.
19:15—“Go back the way you came . . . .” I hate retracing my steps. It usually means I lost or forgot something. What was God’s purpose in having Elijah go back the way he came? Did he lose his faith along the journey? Did he forget his passion for communicating God’s Word to the people? Retracing our steps in our walk with God reminds us of His faithfulness in carrying us through the hard stuff of life. I encourage you to draw a timeline and let yourself remember all the times God has intervened on your behalf. How has He used you to minister to others? When has He shown up to you? Ask Him to do it again!
Elijah feels alone, but God reminds him he is not alone. God has preserved 7000 other faithful believers, and God tells Elijah to commission others to help him lead the fight against evil. Elijah is to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha. Do you want to feel like you are making a difference in God’s kingdom? Then become a mentor to someone. Pass on your faith to the next generation of leaders. The enemy is so good at isolating us and telling us we know nothing about God. The way to prove him wrong is to pour your life into someone else. Elijah became Elisha’s mentor, and what a powerful duo they were! Will you pray today about who you could mentor? Ask God to bring someone to mind, and then be obedient to approach that person and invite them to study the Bible with you. If you need ideas, please email me at tydyd_89@yahoo.com.
Verses 19-21 tell the story of Elisha’s call. Only three short verses. Have you written your testimony of answering God’s call on your life? Will you post it on the blog? I would love to hear your story!!! What I love about Elisha’s response is that he completely destroyed his oxen and his plowing equipment. There was no turning back. Wow! That challenges me.
Looking forward to your responses!
Love ya! Dana
19:3—“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.” Our Elijah? The guy we’ve been reading about? No way!
19:4—“Elijah prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, LORD,’ he said. ‘Take my life.’” What happened to our fearless prophet? I bet you’ve been there. I certainly have been. Elijah was exhausted. His mountain-top experience with God, followed by a marathon run, took every ounce of energy Elijah had. He was ready to give up, but I am so thankful God did not give up on Elijah. God gave Elijah a 40-day vacation. Then He called him back into action.
Have you ever done a study on all the 40-day stories in the Bible? Noah’s 40-days and nights in the flood, the Israelites wandering for 40 years, Moses’ 40 days and nights on Mt. Sinai, the spies in Canaan exploring for 40 days, Goliath challenged Israel every morning and evening for 40 days, Elijah and Jesus both spent 40 days in the wilderness. There are also a handful of kings who reigned 40 years, and God punished Israel for 40 years in other stories besides the Moses story. The pattern of 40 typically indicates a time of testing for God’s people, and after the testing, God shows up. Has God taken you through any 40-day experiences? I just celebrated my 40th birthday! The possibility of God doing something miraculous in my life is terribly exciting!
In verses 9-10 and 13-14, God and Elijah have the same conversation twice. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” “Poor me. I’m the only one left!” Elijah was having a major pity party, but God was not going to let him stay there in the cave of despair. Did you notice that Elijah readily recognized God’s voice? Elijah had spent plenty of time alone with his LORD, and he knew exactly what God sounded like. Can you hear God’s gentle whisper in your life? I must admit that my mind is in such a whirlwind most of the time that it drowns out what God is trying to tell me. I think that is why I am enjoying my Bible study blog so much. It lets me get alone with God, and He speaks to me through His Word, and the Holy Spirit talks to me as I write. I remind myself that whether or not anyone responds to the blog, my main goal is to sit at the feet of Jesus and to glorify His Name.
19:15—“Go back the way you came . . . .” I hate retracing my steps. It usually means I lost or forgot something. What was God’s purpose in having Elijah go back the way he came? Did he lose his faith along the journey? Did he forget his passion for communicating God’s Word to the people? Retracing our steps in our walk with God reminds us of His faithfulness in carrying us through the hard stuff of life. I encourage you to draw a timeline and let yourself remember all the times God has intervened on your behalf. How has He used you to minister to others? When has He shown up to you? Ask Him to do it again!
Elijah feels alone, but God reminds him he is not alone. God has preserved 7000 other faithful believers, and God tells Elijah to commission others to help him lead the fight against evil. Elijah is to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha. Do you want to feel like you are making a difference in God’s kingdom? Then become a mentor to someone. Pass on your faith to the next generation of leaders. The enemy is so good at isolating us and telling us we know nothing about God. The way to prove him wrong is to pour your life into someone else. Elijah became Elisha’s mentor, and what a powerful duo they were! Will you pray today about who you could mentor? Ask God to bring someone to mind, and then be obedient to approach that person and invite them to study the Bible with you. If you need ideas, please email me at tydyd_89@yahoo.com.
Verses 19-21 tell the story of Elisha’s call. Only three short verses. Have you written your testimony of answering God’s call on your life? Will you post it on the blog? I would love to hear your story!!! What I love about Elisha’s response is that he completely destroyed his oxen and his plowing equipment. There was no turning back. Wow! That challenges me.
Looking forward to your responses!
Love ya! Dana
Friday, October 17, 2008
I Kings 18:23-46
Even though Elijah felt like he was the only prophet of God left, it did not keep him from challenging the 450 prophets of Baal. He set up a contest, and the winner would be "the god who answers by fire." (vs. 24) How did Elijah know what would happen? Did God give him the game plan, or was Elijah following God with blind faith?
Something that has really leaped off the page at me is Elijah's faith in what God had promised He would do. For example, God told Elijah there would be a drought, and Elijah went and told King Ahab about it. Then God told Elijah the ravens would take care of him and that the widow's flour and oil would not run out. Now in this chapter, God promised to consume Elijah's sacrifice with fire, and after that God said the rain was coming again. I want to know how Elijah could be so sure-fire certain of what God said. Truly, if God told you there would be no rain or that you would never have to put flour and oil on your grocery list, how would you respond? Would you ever dream of challenging your antagonistic co-workers to a sacrificial BBQ Throwdown? Do I even slow down long enough to hear God say anything like that to me? Do I recognize His voice when He does speak? Do I have enough faith to share the word with anyone else, or am I too afraid they will think I'm looney?
We don't see Elijah's kind of faith in our society, girls. Will you share your thoughts on why you think this is the case?
The humor in this Mount Carmel story is fabulous. Elijah has a great time taunting the prophets of Baal! And then Elijah adds insult to injury when he douses his sacrifice with 12 large jars (4 jars x 3 times) of water. No way was that gonna burn, the prophets thought. "Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench." (vs. 38). Ha. Guess I showed you, boys. My God is way bigger than your god!
Elijah's prayer in verses 36 & 37 should be a pattern we follow. What did Elijah ask for? Did he ask for fire? Did he ask for fame for himself? Did he ask God to put the prophets of Baal to shame? No, those would have been selfish requests. Instead, Elijah asked God to prove Himself so that the people would come to believe that He is God. I believe the Bible teaches that God is willing to answer this type of prayer. This prayer of faith does not dictate our wishes to God; it invites Him to display His power in our lives. Asking God to prove Himself in the midst of our difficult circumstances means that we are willing to accept His answer even when it doesn't match our expectations. It means we offer ourselves as a vessel God can use however He pleases. It means we make ourselves available so that God can shine His light into the lives of other people. The outcome we should desire most is for people all around us to fall prostrate and cry out, "The LORD--he is God! The LORD--he is God!" (vs. 39)
In verse 41, Elijah told Ahab "there is the sound of a heavy rain." What? Elijah's spiritual ears are far more keen than mine. It wasn't until after Elijah prayed 7 times that "a cloud as small as a man's hand" rose from the sea. (vs. 44) Was Elijah grasping at straws, or did He really have a promise from God that the black clouds and heavy rain were on the way? At any rate, God's power falls on Elijah, and he runs 20 miles down Mount Carmel to Jezreel.
Will you join me in praying that God will display His power in our lives? It will take a true commitment on our part to be still and wait on His answer. We can't throw a fit when He does not answer on our time schedule or according to our wishes. I'm not certain what to look for, but I'm pretty sure we will know it when our God shows up!
Something that has really leaped off the page at me is Elijah's faith in what God had promised He would do. For example, God told Elijah there would be a drought, and Elijah went and told King Ahab about it. Then God told Elijah the ravens would take care of him and that the widow's flour and oil would not run out. Now in this chapter, God promised to consume Elijah's sacrifice with fire, and after that God said the rain was coming again. I want to know how Elijah could be so sure-fire certain of what God said. Truly, if God told you there would be no rain or that you would never have to put flour and oil on your grocery list, how would you respond? Would you ever dream of challenging your antagonistic co-workers to a sacrificial BBQ Throwdown? Do I even slow down long enough to hear God say anything like that to me? Do I recognize His voice when He does speak? Do I have enough faith to share the word with anyone else, or am I too afraid they will think I'm looney?
We don't see Elijah's kind of faith in our society, girls. Will you share your thoughts on why you think this is the case?
The humor in this Mount Carmel story is fabulous. Elijah has a great time taunting the prophets of Baal! And then Elijah adds insult to injury when he douses his sacrifice with 12 large jars (4 jars x 3 times) of water. No way was that gonna burn, the prophets thought. "Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench." (vs. 38). Ha. Guess I showed you, boys. My God is way bigger than your god!
Elijah's prayer in verses 36 & 37 should be a pattern we follow. What did Elijah ask for? Did he ask for fire? Did he ask for fame for himself? Did he ask God to put the prophets of Baal to shame? No, those would have been selfish requests. Instead, Elijah asked God to prove Himself so that the people would come to believe that He is God. I believe the Bible teaches that God is willing to answer this type of prayer. This prayer of faith does not dictate our wishes to God; it invites Him to display His power in our lives. Asking God to prove Himself in the midst of our difficult circumstances means that we are willing to accept His answer even when it doesn't match our expectations. It means we offer ourselves as a vessel God can use however He pleases. It means we make ourselves available so that God can shine His light into the lives of other people. The outcome we should desire most is for people all around us to fall prostrate and cry out, "The LORD--he is God! The LORD--he is God!" (vs. 39)
In verse 41, Elijah told Ahab "there is the sound of a heavy rain." What? Elijah's spiritual ears are far more keen than mine. It wasn't until after Elijah prayed 7 times that "a cloud as small as a man's hand" rose from the sea. (vs. 44) Was Elijah grasping at straws, or did He really have a promise from God that the black clouds and heavy rain were on the way? At any rate, God's power falls on Elijah, and he runs 20 miles down Mount Carmel to Jezreel.
Will you join me in praying that God will display His power in our lives? It will take a true commitment on our part to be still and wait on His answer. We can't throw a fit when He does not answer on our time schedule or according to our wishes. I'm not certain what to look for, but I'm pretty sure we will know it when our God shows up!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
1 Kings 18:1-22
"After a long time, in the third year . . . . The famine was severe . . . ."
You and I have never known such extreme drought in our lifetime. Even if you live in the desert Southwest US, you see close to 8 inches of rain a year. Elijah's declaration resulted in zero rainfall for three whole years. Keep in mind that the people in Elijah's day did not have the benefit of water storage or electric pump wells. Even when our nation experiences drought, we have access to water. You would think God had Israel's attention after three years! However, Scripture does not record King Ahab seeking relief from God. Sure, he sent people looking for Elijah, but he wanted to take his life, not seek his wisdom. Baal worship was prevalent because of King Ahab's wife Jezebel, but God was setting the stage for a grand display of His glory.
Obadiah. Can anybody identify with the role he played? Obadiah was hiding prophets in caves, but at the same time, he was servant to the evil king. He was between a rock and a hard place. Obadiah was a man of God, but he worked a secular job. He wanted to stand up for his faith, but he also wanted to maintain his lifestyle. I'm not judging Obadiah, because I've been there. Often times God uses Christians in the work place to be living examples of His love. At the same time, I see a contrast between the lives of Obadiah and Elijah. Obadiah was careful. Elijah was radical. Obadiah hid his faith. Elijah made his public. Obadiah is a little-known prophet. Elijah's legacy lives on. During the Passover, the Jews set an extra place at the table in hope of the return of Elijah. Which of these prophets does your life resemble?
In verse 15, before Obadiah would agree to tell his master that Elijah was there, he made Elijah promise he wouldn't disappear. Once again, Elijah proves to be a man of his word. Let's agree to be people like that, men and women who do what we say we are going to do. If there is anything that gets on my nerves, it's having someone promise they will be there, but they never show up.
Verses 16-17 give us a snapshot of the great debate between Ahab and Elijah. "I'm not the troubler of Israel, you are." "No, you are." "No, I'm not, you are." Sounds like a certain couple of US senators in a recent debate, don't you think?
I like the challenge Elijah gives the people in verse 21. "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing. Oh, this is so similar to our current presidential election, I can hardly stand it. Everyone is still undecided. We are all standing around waiting for the fireworks display before we will cast our vote. Pray, dear people. Pray as if your future depended on it, because it does. Pray for God's mercy on our nation. Pray that He will hear our cries and forgive our land. Pray that God will raise up godly leaders rather than hand us over to the evil leaders we deserve. God used pagan kings to bring Israel back into line with His will. What makes us think that America deserves anything better? The LORD disciplines those He loves. People get ready!
Verse 22--Elijah thought he was the only prophet of God left. That was not true, but you and I know exactly how Elijah felt. One of satan's best tools against us is isolation, the feeling that we are the only person out there fighting God's battles. He separates us from the herd like a lone calf on the prairie. Look around, sister, God is gathering His army. You are not alone. Do not live a life of defeat.
Ooops. It looks like I only made it halfway through this chapter. Is it okay if I post here and come back later? Have a fab day, ladies! I'll see you tomorrow at the Challenge on Mount Carmel.
You and I have never known such extreme drought in our lifetime. Even if you live in the desert Southwest US, you see close to 8 inches of rain a year. Elijah's declaration resulted in zero rainfall for three whole years. Keep in mind that the people in Elijah's day did not have the benefit of water storage or electric pump wells. Even when our nation experiences drought, we have access to water. You would think God had Israel's attention after three years! However, Scripture does not record King Ahab seeking relief from God. Sure, he sent people looking for Elijah, but he wanted to take his life, not seek his wisdom. Baal worship was prevalent because of King Ahab's wife Jezebel, but God was setting the stage for a grand display of His glory.
Obadiah. Can anybody identify with the role he played? Obadiah was hiding prophets in caves, but at the same time, he was servant to the evil king. He was between a rock and a hard place. Obadiah was a man of God, but he worked a secular job. He wanted to stand up for his faith, but he also wanted to maintain his lifestyle. I'm not judging Obadiah, because I've been there. Often times God uses Christians in the work place to be living examples of His love. At the same time, I see a contrast between the lives of Obadiah and Elijah. Obadiah was careful. Elijah was radical. Obadiah hid his faith. Elijah made his public. Obadiah is a little-known prophet. Elijah's legacy lives on. During the Passover, the Jews set an extra place at the table in hope of the return of Elijah. Which of these prophets does your life resemble?
In verse 15, before Obadiah would agree to tell his master that Elijah was there, he made Elijah promise he wouldn't disappear. Once again, Elijah proves to be a man of his word. Let's agree to be people like that, men and women who do what we say we are going to do. If there is anything that gets on my nerves, it's having someone promise they will be there, but they never show up.
Verses 16-17 give us a snapshot of the great debate between Ahab and Elijah. "I'm not the troubler of Israel, you are." "No, you are." "No, I'm not, you are." Sounds like a certain couple of US senators in a recent debate, don't you think?
I like the challenge Elijah gives the people in verse 21. "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing. Oh, this is so similar to our current presidential election, I can hardly stand it. Everyone is still undecided. We are all standing around waiting for the fireworks display before we will cast our vote. Pray, dear people. Pray as if your future depended on it, because it does. Pray for God's mercy on our nation. Pray that He will hear our cries and forgive our land. Pray that God will raise up godly leaders rather than hand us over to the evil leaders we deserve. God used pagan kings to bring Israel back into line with His will. What makes us think that America deserves anything better? The LORD disciplines those He loves. People get ready!
Verse 22--Elijah thought he was the only prophet of God left. That was not true, but you and I know exactly how Elijah felt. One of satan's best tools against us is isolation, the feeling that we are the only person out there fighting God's battles. He separates us from the herd like a lone calf on the prairie. Look around, sister, God is gathering His army. You are not alone. Do not live a life of defeat.
Ooops. It looks like I only made it halfway through this chapter. Is it okay if I post here and come back later? Have a fab day, ladies! I'll see you tomorrow at the Challenge on Mount Carmel.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
1 Kings 17
1 Kings 17:1--"Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead." I almost skipped this. Elijah was from the middle of nowhere, from a town nobody ever heard of, but God used him mightily. How many times have you said, "But I'm just a nobody from nowhere special"? God wants to use willing people to be mouthpieces for His Kingdom. Let's accept the challenge!
We don't have any background info on Elijah. He just shows up in King Ahab's court one day and swears that there will be a drought. Wow! That's a lot of confidence in what Elijah believed about God. Then Elijah gets the word from God that all his needs will be met if he will trust God and go live in the wilderness. Any takers on this challenge? Elijah's unquestioning life is in stark contrast to mine.
My heart breaks for the widow at Zarephath. She is just waiting for her family to die in the famine. You and I do not know this kind of heartache. We are so totally spoiled in America. We are worried about our retirement accounts, and this poor widow was worried about keeping her child alive another day.
Elijah challenges this woman to take the path of faith when he asks her to take him into her home and provide for him. Selfish people that we are, we never take in strangers, and we have food, clothing, and shelter in abundance. Sadly, we don't see God work miracles for us because we keep hoarding all the things He provides for us.
Verse 14 blows me away. "The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land." How did Elijah know that? How could he be so confident of God's promise to provide? Sorry, but you and I panic when the paycheck doesn't come a day early. I am fairly certain that a semi trailer load of flour and oil did not show up at the doorstep the next morning. Every meal the widow prepared for her little household of three was an act of faith. Every time she measured out the flour and the oil was an act of obedience to this new God Elijah had introduced her to.
Verse 18--Can you hear the fury in the words of the widow? I don't suppose she intended the phrase "man of God" as a compliment toward Elijah. She was bitterly angry at the death of her only son, her only remaining family member, her only hope for survival in her old age.
Verses 19-22--By faith Elijah resuscitates the boy. Is this the first resurrection story in the Bible? I can't think of any others before this. Do you know of one? Cool. Elijah, the guy from nowhere, is a pioneer in CPR. Again, I am simply amazed at Elijah's trust in God's promises. Did he know that God would bring the child back to life? Elijah stretched himself out and prayed three times for the boy. Would I have given up after the first try?
"Look, your son is alive!" JOY, JOY, JOY, JOY!!!! Verse 24--"Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a "man of God" (maybe it's complimentary now), and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth." Dear LORD Jesus, please provide opportunities for others to witness in my life that Your Word is Truth. May my life never contradict the message you have commissioned me to share with others. You are the Living God. You are the God who works miracles. You are the Giver of all good things.
I glory in Your Holy Name! Amen.
We don't have any background info on Elijah. He just shows up in King Ahab's court one day and swears that there will be a drought. Wow! That's a lot of confidence in what Elijah believed about God. Then Elijah gets the word from God that all his needs will be met if he will trust God and go live in the wilderness. Any takers on this challenge? Elijah's unquestioning life is in stark contrast to mine.
My heart breaks for the widow at Zarephath. She is just waiting for her family to die in the famine. You and I do not know this kind of heartache. We are so totally spoiled in America. We are worried about our retirement accounts, and this poor widow was worried about keeping her child alive another day.
Elijah challenges this woman to take the path of faith when he asks her to take him into her home and provide for him. Selfish people that we are, we never take in strangers, and we have food, clothing, and shelter in abundance. Sadly, we don't see God work miracles for us because we keep hoarding all the things He provides for us.
Verse 14 blows me away. "The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land." How did Elijah know that? How could he be so confident of God's promise to provide? Sorry, but you and I panic when the paycheck doesn't come a day early. I am fairly certain that a semi trailer load of flour and oil did not show up at the doorstep the next morning. Every meal the widow prepared for her little household of three was an act of faith. Every time she measured out the flour and the oil was an act of obedience to this new God Elijah had introduced her to.
Verse 18--Can you hear the fury in the words of the widow? I don't suppose she intended the phrase "man of God" as a compliment toward Elijah. She was bitterly angry at the death of her only son, her only remaining family member, her only hope for survival in her old age.
Verses 19-22--By faith Elijah resuscitates the boy. Is this the first resurrection story in the Bible? I can't think of any others before this. Do you know of one? Cool. Elijah, the guy from nowhere, is a pioneer in CPR. Again, I am simply amazed at Elijah's trust in God's promises. Did he know that God would bring the child back to life? Elijah stretched himself out and prayed three times for the boy. Would I have given up after the first try?
"Look, your son is alive!" JOY, JOY, JOY, JOY!!!! Verse 24--"Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a "man of God" (maybe it's complimentary now), and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth." Dear LORD Jesus, please provide opportunities for others to witness in my life that Your Word is Truth. May my life never contradict the message you have commissioned me to share with others. You are the Living God. You are the God who works miracles. You are the Giver of all good things.
I glory in Your Holy Name! Amen.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
2 Chronicles 14-16
Did you enjoy studying the lives of King David and King Solomon? I sure did. Now we are going to hop, skip, and jump through some of the other kings. We will start with Asa, King of Judah.
Asa was a good king (in the beginning), and his country enjoyed a time of peace because Asa worked to please God. He recognized that victory would come to Judah because of God's power. "Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you."" (2 Chronicles 14:11) Did you notice the last word? Asa understood that the battle was God's. When I face a battle, do I pray like this? Do I ask God to use His power to save me? Do I realize that He wants to take my place in the battle? There is a big difference between asking God to give me strength in times of trial versus asking God to be my substitute in the trial. Hmmm. What are your thoughts here?
1 The Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. 2 He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. 7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 8 When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage. (2 Chronicles 15:1-2, 7-8a) I am so thankful for the Azariahs in my life, the people who listen to the Spirit and speak the Word of God to me when I need encouragement to stay the course. Who can I encourage today? Have I listened to God's voice closely enough to hear a Word to share?
Do you remember our study of 1 Kings 11? God was angry with Solomon because he had turned away from Him. God promised He would divide Solomon's kingdom. 2 Chronicles 15:9 shows the results of the division. Asa was king over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and some of the people from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon had come over to his side as well.
The remainder of 2 Chronicles 15 showcases Asa's glory years. He led the people to enter a covenant to seek the LORD. "They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them." (vs. 14) King Asa even had the gall to depose his grandmother because of her idol worship. Now that is one gutsy guy! Do any of you want to mess with your grandma?
Chapter 16 introduces us to Baasha king of Israel. I knew Israel was a divided kingdom, but never before in my study had I realized that Israel and Judah actually fought against one another. That's what I love about studying the Bible. I notice different things each time I read its truth. God is such a detail Man!
Wow! What happened between year 35 and year 36 for King Asa? He trusted and sought after God's wisdom for 35 years. Did he just suddenly choose to seek help from other armies? Probably not. If you listen to K-Love radio, you have heard the song Slow Fade by Casting Crowns. Our journey away from God does not happen in a day. It happens as a result of daily choices we make. Just like I was disappointed in Solomon in 1 Kings 11, I was disappointed that Asa did not stay true to his faith in the One True God. My expectation of godly people is that they will become more and more godly as they grow older. Sadly, this is not the case. Just because I seek God wholeheartedly today does not guarantee that I will seek Him when I am old and gray. It is so much easier to get out of the habit of worshiping God than it is to maintain the discipline. Being a God-follower is a daily choice I make. I can make the choice today, but if I do not make the choice again tomorrow and the next day, then I will wander farther and farther from God's wisdom. I think that's what happened to Asa. He enjoyed peace for so long that he forgot what it was like to chase after God. He became so comfortable in his palace that he forgot it was God who placed him there. He stopped praying to ask God to fight his battles. Instead he paid off a neighboring pagan king to fight his battle. "Oh be careful little feet where you go."
"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (2 Chronicles 16:9a) God, keep me fully committed to You!
Asa was a good king (in the beginning), and his country enjoyed a time of peace because Asa worked to please God. He recognized that victory would come to Judah because of God's power. "Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you."" (2 Chronicles 14:11) Did you notice the last word? Asa understood that the battle was God's. When I face a battle, do I pray like this? Do I ask God to use His power to save me? Do I realize that He wants to take my place in the battle? There is a big difference between asking God to give me strength in times of trial versus asking God to be my substitute in the trial. Hmmm. What are your thoughts here?
1 The Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. 2 He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. 7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 8 When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage. (2 Chronicles 15:1-2, 7-8a) I am so thankful for the Azariahs in my life, the people who listen to the Spirit and speak the Word of God to me when I need encouragement to stay the course. Who can I encourage today? Have I listened to God's voice closely enough to hear a Word to share?
Do you remember our study of 1 Kings 11? God was angry with Solomon because he had turned away from Him. God promised He would divide Solomon's kingdom. 2 Chronicles 15:9 shows the results of the division. Asa was king over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and some of the people from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon had come over to his side as well.
The remainder of 2 Chronicles 15 showcases Asa's glory years. He led the people to enter a covenant to seek the LORD. "They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them." (vs. 14) King Asa even had the gall to depose his grandmother because of her idol worship. Now that is one gutsy guy! Do any of you want to mess with your grandma?
Chapter 16 introduces us to Baasha king of Israel. I knew Israel was a divided kingdom, but never before in my study had I realized that Israel and Judah actually fought against one another. That's what I love about studying the Bible. I notice different things each time I read its truth. God is such a detail Man!
Wow! What happened between year 35 and year 36 for King Asa? He trusted and sought after God's wisdom for 35 years. Did he just suddenly choose to seek help from other armies? Probably not. If you listen to K-Love radio, you have heard the song Slow Fade by Casting Crowns. Our journey away from God does not happen in a day. It happens as a result of daily choices we make. Just like I was disappointed in Solomon in 1 Kings 11, I was disappointed that Asa did not stay true to his faith in the One True God. My expectation of godly people is that they will become more and more godly as they grow older. Sadly, this is not the case. Just because I seek God wholeheartedly today does not guarantee that I will seek Him when I am old and gray. It is so much easier to get out of the habit of worshiping God than it is to maintain the discipline. Being a God-follower is a daily choice I make. I can make the choice today, but if I do not make the choice again tomorrow and the next day, then I will wander farther and farther from God's wisdom. I think that's what happened to Asa. He enjoyed peace for so long that he forgot what it was like to chase after God. He became so comfortable in his palace that he forgot it was God who placed him there. He stopped praying to ask God to fight his battles. Instead he paid off a neighboring pagan king to fight his battle. "Oh be careful little feet where you go."
"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (2 Chronicles 16:9a) God, keep me fully committed to You!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Proverbs 2 & 3
I found out last night that one of my former students is in trouble. My heart is broken because I prayed often for the students in my classroom, and I told this particular student more than once that he had great potential and that God had a plan for his life. It reminds me how critical prayer covering is in the lives of our children. So, my post today will be my version of praying God's Word for my children. Will you please take it and make it your own, praying these words for your children, or your husband, or any special person in your life?
Proverbs 2
1 Dear God, please help my son and my daughter accept your words and store up your commands in their hearts.
2 Help them listen to wisdom and apply their hearts to understanding,
3 May they call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
4 Make their hearts' desire to look for wisdom as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 I pray earnestly that my children will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 You hold victory in store for the upright, You are a shield to those whose walk is blameless, Help my children to live blameless lives.
8 I beg you to guard the course of my children. Make them just and protect their way encouraging them to be your faithful ones.
9 Then they will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.
10 May wisdom enter their hearts, and may knowledge be pleasant to their souls.
11 Grant them discretion to protect them, and understanding to guard them.
12 May Your wisdom save them from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,
13 May my children never leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways,
14 Never allow them to delight in doing wrong or to rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 Keep them away from those whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.
16 Please save my son also from the adulteress, may my daughter never become the wayward wife with seductive words,
17 Help my children to be faithful to their partners and help them uphold the covenants they make before God.
18 Help them realize that adultery leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.
20 Please, God, strengthen my children to walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 May they be counted among the upright who will live in the land, and the blameless who will remain in it;
22 Protect them from the wicked who will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful who will be torn from it.
Pray God's Word out loud for your family and friends. Pray it diligently. Pray it often.
Proverbs 3 is even better than this. I want you to pray it for your loved ones. Insert their names as you pray. Make it personal and talk directly to God about the people in your life who need His guidance. Praying for others is a special privilege, and we do not take it as seriously as we should, myself included.
Thank you, Jesus. Your timing is always perfect.
Proverbs 2
1 Dear God, please help my son and my daughter accept your words and store up your commands in their hearts.
2 Help them listen to wisdom and apply their hearts to understanding,
3 May they call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
4 Make their hearts' desire to look for wisdom as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 I pray earnestly that my children will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 You hold victory in store for the upright, You are a shield to those whose walk is blameless, Help my children to live blameless lives.
8 I beg you to guard the course of my children. Make them just and protect their way encouraging them to be your faithful ones.
9 Then they will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.
10 May wisdom enter their hearts, and may knowledge be pleasant to their souls.
11 Grant them discretion to protect them, and understanding to guard them.
12 May Your wisdom save them from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,
13 May my children never leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways,
14 Never allow them to delight in doing wrong or to rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 Keep them away from those whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.
16 Please save my son also from the adulteress, may my daughter never become the wayward wife with seductive words,
17 Help my children to be faithful to their partners and help them uphold the covenants they make before God.
18 Help them realize that adultery leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.
20 Please, God, strengthen my children to walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 May they be counted among the upright who will live in the land, and the blameless who will remain in it;
22 Protect them from the wicked who will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful who will be torn from it.
Pray God's Word out loud for your family and friends. Pray it diligently. Pray it often.
Proverbs 3 is even better than this. I want you to pray it for your loved ones. Insert their names as you pray. Make it personal and talk directly to God about the people in your life who need His guidance. Praying for others is a special privilege, and we do not take it as seriously as we should, myself included.
Thank you, Jesus. Your timing is always perfect.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Proverbs 1
This chapter is broken into three sections: introduction, fear God, find wisdom. The introduction tells us why Solomon wrote Proverbs and what we can hope to gain by following its instruction. The list of benefits is great:
- wisdom,
- discipline,
- understanding,
- insight,
- a disciplined life,
- a prudent life,
- doing what is right, just, and fair,
- prudence,
- knowledge,
- discretion,
- learning,
- guidance,
- understanding the stories and riddles of life.
I think that is proof enough that we should study this book and learn all we can from it. Let’s make this our wish list, our prayer list, as we complete our study of Solomon’s life.
The second segment of the chapter tells us to fear God, to listen to our parents, and to stop wasting our time following people who lead us into trouble. If you want wisdom and knowledge, fear God. If you want to be a fool, disregard wisdom and discipline. We know what it looks like to be foolish. A fool lives a life of chaos, making the same stupid choices over and over again. I hope you are tired of living that kind of life. So, what does it look like to fear God? A God-follower keeps her eyes on what God tells her to do. A God-follower reads her Bible and prays over every decision, no matter how small it may seem. A God-follower makes the hard choices to deny selfish desires in order to live a disciplined life in the areas of relationships, finances, healthy living, etc. A God-follower seeks to glorify God rather than self at every turn. Easy? No. Worth it? Absolutely!
The things we learned from our parents should adorn our lives like jewelry. They are the accessories that complete our lives. They should make us beautiful people. Just like the feeling you have if you forgot to put on your wedding ring or your watch, we should feel naked when we disregard the wisdom passed down to us from generation to generation. LORD, help me teach my children to know Your wisdom. May they never leave home without Your Word of wisdom buried deeply in their souls.
O God, help my son and my daughter not to be enticed by people who will lead them into evil schemes. Keep their eyes wide open so they will not go along with the crowd. Keep their feet away from the path of sin; help them resist the desire to rush into decisions they will regret later in life. Help them to understand that greed steals our lives away. God, may we all come to learn that lesson.
The final portion of this proverb is devoted to Lady Wisdom. She is crying out at the top of her lungs, standing on the wall at the head of the multitudes, crying for us to listen to her voice. Why in the world do we turn a deaf ear to her? Why are we so hard-headed to think we can make our own way in life? If we wait too long, Wisdom will finally say, “Enough is enough. Tough cookies, child.” When we do not heed God’s call in our lives, He will let us die in our selfish choices. Girls, cry out to Jesus today, and He will provide you a place of safety and security, a home free from the fear of evil. Amen. Let it be so in our lives this day, dear Jesus.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Solomon's Song of Songs 1 & 2
Song of Songs = the greatest of songs, just as King of kings = the greatest of kings, and Lord of lords = the greatest of lords. King Solomon wrote this song as a testimony of a true love story. Some scholars would say we should read this as a parable or an allegory. I want to know what’s wrong with reading it as a novel and as an example of how we should love our spouses. I will be writing directly to married women in my post today. Some of you might be shocked or appalled. Sorry. If any of this makes you terribly uncomfortable, feel free to meet us tomorrow in the book of Proverbs.
As a teenager, I got the message that the Song of Solomon was off limits for my young, innocent mind. Somehow I got the impression, though, that sexual intimacy was totally off limits for all Christians. When we teach our young people to save their purity for marriage, we must be sure to teach them that intimacy within marriage is a wonderful thing. As a dear Christian sister in Yuma, Colorado, says, “Sex within marriage is good! You can have it whenever you want it, and it doesn’t cost you anything.” Amen, girl!
Sadly, too many Christian couples are missing the joy of sex because satan has twisted our concept of what God created to be a beautiful act of devotion. Some of you are beet-red with embarrassment just reading the word on the screen, and you cannot believe a minister’s wife is actually blogging about the topic. Girls, that’s why so many of our marriages are in the dumps. Nobody talks about how to allow your husband to enjoy your body. Most of us think our husbands are perverted if they ask for sex more than once a month. God created us in His image, and God gave us the need for physical intimacy. It’s time to enjoy the gift!
Verse 2—Let him kiss me! Do you and your husband ever just sit on the couch or on the pickup seat and kiss? We used to when we were dating. Passionate kissing can stoke the fires! Give it a try.
Verse 3—Your perfume is pleasing. Here’s a fun date idea. Go to the mall together and try all the colognes and perfumes. Splurge and buy your favorites for one another, or if money is tight, save up and surprise your spouse with a gift later.
Verse 3—No wonder the maidens love you! Have you told your husband lately all the reasons you love and appreciate him? Do you point out the things other people admire about him? The rest of the world puts your spouse down most of the time. You be his cheerleader. If you aren’t his cheerleader, someone else will be. Believe me; you don’t want him finding another cheerleader.
Verse 4—Hurry! Take me away to your bed chambers! Say this to your husband tonight after dinner, or slip him a card with the words written on it. I’m guessing the results will be good.
Verse 4—The friends say . . . . You know, not many of us have any friends who encourage us to love our spouses. Most of our friends badmouth their own spouses, or their ex-spouses. Most people make fun of us if we hold hands or kiss in public, and heaven-forbid if we call each other a pet name. Ladies, let’s be encouragers of marriages.
Verses 5-6—Dark am I, yet lovely. The girl was ashamed of her looks because she had to work hard in the fields. Who among us does not have more than one thing we would like to change about how we look? Why are we never happy with the bodies God gave us? If we have straight hair, we want curly. If we have short legs, we want long. If we have breasts, we want them reduced. Good grief! Accept yourself the way God created you. Let your husband enjoy your body.
Verse 7—Tell me. Are you curious about your husband’s work? Do you ask about his day? Do you make an effort to find out where he is working at midday so you can make a surprise visit? Even a quick phone call just to say you were thinking of him can go a long way. Be interested in your spouse.
Verse 8—The friends are encouraging her to pursue him. Way to go, friends!
Verses 9-11—I liken you to a mare. This might not be the compliment you seek from your husband, but think about it. Have you seen how a stallion cannot resist a mare? Girl, that’s what you do to your husband!
Verses 12-14—All the senses are involved here: taste, sight, hearing, touch, smell. When you make love to your husband, pay attention to his senses. Make preparations beforehand to heighten his senses and yours.
Verse 15—How beautiful you are, my darling! When your husband pays you a compliment, do you take it in, or do you rebuff him? Since you and I don’t really like how we look, it is difficult for us to accept words of praise. Stop it! Listen to your husband praise you. Let him know how special you feel when he compliments your appearance.
Verse 16—How handsome you are. Likewise, we need to praise our husbands. Sure, we’ve all gotten older, and your husband may not be in tip-top shape anymore. But he still needs that assurance that you are attracted to him. Be sincere and tell him what draws you to him.
Verses 16-17—Our bed is verdant. Do you make your bedroom attractive, or is there laundry piled everywhere? Make your bedroom a love sanctuary.
Chapter 2—Okay, your assignment is to invite your husband to a love-making session with you. Begin by reading Song of Songs Chapter 2 to one another. Take time to enjoy one another as you read. Strengthen one another with apples and raisins. Allow him to embrace you. You get the picture.
Here’s to an exciting romance between you and your husband! I cheer you on, my friend!!!!
As a teenager, I got the message that the Song of Solomon was off limits for my young, innocent mind. Somehow I got the impression, though, that sexual intimacy was totally off limits for all Christians. When we teach our young people to save their purity for marriage, we must be sure to teach them that intimacy within marriage is a wonderful thing. As a dear Christian sister in Yuma, Colorado, says, “Sex within marriage is good! You can have it whenever you want it, and it doesn’t cost you anything.” Amen, girl!
Sadly, too many Christian couples are missing the joy of sex because satan has twisted our concept of what God created to be a beautiful act of devotion. Some of you are beet-red with embarrassment just reading the word on the screen, and you cannot believe a minister’s wife is actually blogging about the topic. Girls, that’s why so many of our marriages are in the dumps. Nobody talks about how to allow your husband to enjoy your body. Most of us think our husbands are perverted if they ask for sex more than once a month. God created us in His image, and God gave us the need for physical intimacy. It’s time to enjoy the gift!
Verse 2—Let him kiss me! Do you and your husband ever just sit on the couch or on the pickup seat and kiss? We used to when we were dating. Passionate kissing can stoke the fires! Give it a try.
Verse 3—Your perfume is pleasing. Here’s a fun date idea. Go to the mall together and try all the colognes and perfumes. Splurge and buy your favorites for one another, or if money is tight, save up and surprise your spouse with a gift later.
Verse 3—No wonder the maidens love you! Have you told your husband lately all the reasons you love and appreciate him? Do you point out the things other people admire about him? The rest of the world puts your spouse down most of the time. You be his cheerleader. If you aren’t his cheerleader, someone else will be. Believe me; you don’t want him finding another cheerleader.
Verse 4—Hurry! Take me away to your bed chambers! Say this to your husband tonight after dinner, or slip him a card with the words written on it. I’m guessing the results will be good.
Verse 4—The friends say . . . . You know, not many of us have any friends who encourage us to love our spouses. Most of our friends badmouth their own spouses, or their ex-spouses. Most people make fun of us if we hold hands or kiss in public, and heaven-forbid if we call each other a pet name. Ladies, let’s be encouragers of marriages.
Verses 5-6—Dark am I, yet lovely. The girl was ashamed of her looks because she had to work hard in the fields. Who among us does not have more than one thing we would like to change about how we look? Why are we never happy with the bodies God gave us? If we have straight hair, we want curly. If we have short legs, we want long. If we have breasts, we want them reduced. Good grief! Accept yourself the way God created you. Let your husband enjoy your body.
Verse 7—Tell me. Are you curious about your husband’s work? Do you ask about his day? Do you make an effort to find out where he is working at midday so you can make a surprise visit? Even a quick phone call just to say you were thinking of him can go a long way. Be interested in your spouse.
Verse 8—The friends are encouraging her to pursue him. Way to go, friends!
Verses 9-11—I liken you to a mare. This might not be the compliment you seek from your husband, but think about it. Have you seen how a stallion cannot resist a mare? Girl, that’s what you do to your husband!
Verses 12-14—All the senses are involved here: taste, sight, hearing, touch, smell. When you make love to your husband, pay attention to his senses. Make preparations beforehand to heighten his senses and yours.
Verse 15—How beautiful you are, my darling! When your husband pays you a compliment, do you take it in, or do you rebuff him? Since you and I don’t really like how we look, it is difficult for us to accept words of praise. Stop it! Listen to your husband praise you. Let him know how special you feel when he compliments your appearance.
Verse 16—How handsome you are. Likewise, we need to praise our husbands. Sure, we’ve all gotten older, and your husband may not be in tip-top shape anymore. But he still needs that assurance that you are attracted to him. Be sincere and tell him what draws you to him.
Verses 16-17—Our bed is verdant. Do you make your bedroom attractive, or is there laundry piled everywhere? Make your bedroom a love sanctuary.
Chapter 2—Okay, your assignment is to invite your husband to a love-making session with you. Begin by reading Song of Songs Chapter 2 to one another. Take time to enjoy one another as you read. Strengthen one another with apples and raisins. Allow him to embrace you. You get the picture.
Here’s to an exciting romance between you and your husband! I cheer you on, my friend!!!!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Ecclesiastes 12
Ecclesiastes 12 in the Amplified Bible http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%2012;&version=45
Okay, I got the first line, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.” In other words, “Get to know God while you still have your wits about you.” But the rest of Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 made little sense to me until I read it in the Amplified Bible. This translation gives more definition to the words in Scripture by placing explanations in brackets. So it helped me to understand this particular Scripture passage by explaining that the “strong men” were the feet and knees, and the “windows” were the eyes, etc. These verses are describing what we will feel like when we are old. (I played basketball last night at youth group; so I am experiencing feeling old firsthand!)
Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher has continually discovered how meaningless life is. However, at the end of his life, he still encourages us to get to know God early in life. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Learn the ways of God while you still have life in you, while life is still rewarding. Don’t suffer through this difficult life on earth all by your lonesome. Find the blessing of God in your youth, and your life will be more meaningful than you could ever imagine.
This should certainly be our prayer for our children and grandchildren and any other youth we may have influence over. When Zach and Jacque were born, I began praying that they would come to know Jesus at the earliest possible age. I believe that the Christian walk is a process, and the earlier you get started, the further Jesus can take you on the journey. Coming to know Christ is not a one-time event. He unveils our eyes a little at a time. People who find Jesus as children have the opportunity to learn to trust Him completely, before their hearts are completely bruised by the world, in most cases. When we wait until later in life to trust Christ, we have to take a crash course. So, teach your children to love Jesus while you nurse them in the rocking chair.
Now that our children are becoming teenagers, our prayer is that God will make their faith their own. We don’t want our children to go to church just because we make them. We want them to fall in love with Jesus. We want them to be God-followers because He is drawing them unto Himself. If you or your children begin to doubt the existence of God, pray earnestly that He will prove Himself. He will honor that prayer because He wants us to be certain of our faith. He does not want us to have to continually guess whether He will show up when invited. Our God is dependable. Beg Him to show up to you!
Verses 9-14 summarize what we have read in all of Ecclesiastes. I like the description of the wise words—prodding goads, nails firmly fixed in our minds. Studying Scripture should help us nail down what we believe, don’t you think?
Verse 12 is certainly proving true in this the information age. The vast number of books available these days is absolutely overwhelming. You can find an author for every topic. In fact, you can even become an author yourself! Be careful what you read, and always compare it to Biblical truth.
Verse 13—1. Fear God, 2. Keep His commandments. That is our whole duty. Sounds simple enough. . . .
Okay, I got the first line, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.” In other words, “Get to know God while you still have your wits about you.” But the rest of Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 made little sense to me until I read it in the Amplified Bible. This translation gives more definition to the words in Scripture by placing explanations in brackets. So it helped me to understand this particular Scripture passage by explaining that the “strong men” were the feet and knees, and the “windows” were the eyes, etc. These verses are describing what we will feel like when we are old. (I played basketball last night at youth group; so I am experiencing feeling old firsthand!)
Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher has continually discovered how meaningless life is. However, at the end of his life, he still encourages us to get to know God early in life. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Learn the ways of God while you still have life in you, while life is still rewarding. Don’t suffer through this difficult life on earth all by your lonesome. Find the blessing of God in your youth, and your life will be more meaningful than you could ever imagine.
This should certainly be our prayer for our children and grandchildren and any other youth we may have influence over. When Zach and Jacque were born, I began praying that they would come to know Jesus at the earliest possible age. I believe that the Christian walk is a process, and the earlier you get started, the further Jesus can take you on the journey. Coming to know Christ is not a one-time event. He unveils our eyes a little at a time. People who find Jesus as children have the opportunity to learn to trust Him completely, before their hearts are completely bruised by the world, in most cases. When we wait until later in life to trust Christ, we have to take a crash course. So, teach your children to love Jesus while you nurse them in the rocking chair.
Now that our children are becoming teenagers, our prayer is that God will make their faith their own. We don’t want our children to go to church just because we make them. We want them to fall in love with Jesus. We want them to be God-followers because He is drawing them unto Himself. If you or your children begin to doubt the existence of God, pray earnestly that He will prove Himself. He will honor that prayer because He wants us to be certain of our faith. He does not want us to have to continually guess whether He will show up when invited. Our God is dependable. Beg Him to show up to you!
Verses 9-14 summarize what we have read in all of Ecclesiastes. I like the description of the wise words—prodding goads, nails firmly fixed in our minds. Studying Scripture should help us nail down what we believe, don’t you think?
Verse 12 is certainly proving true in this the information age. The vast number of books available these days is absolutely overwhelming. You can find an author for every topic. In fact, you can even become an author yourself! Be careful what you read, and always compare it to Biblical truth.
Verse 13—1. Fear God, 2. Keep His commandments. That is our whole duty. Sounds simple enough. . . .
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