The disciples were rowing the boat across the
Sea of Galilee and
'the sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.'
But when Jesus came to them,
walking on the rough sea,
and got into the boat with them,
'immediately the boat was at the land
to which they were going.'
What an experience that must have been.
From severe struggles to an instant arrival
at their destination.
And I wonder about that.
Does He do that today for His disciples?
Or does He stay with us in the storm
till we reach our destination?
(John 6)
Monday, July 4, 2011
Mercy Undeserved
Jonah is certainly not an admirable person.
He is extemely depressed because the Ninevites repented
and God relented of the disaster that He said He would do to them.
Jonah mentions that he wants to die three times
in Chapter 4. and to him the fact that 'God was a gracious God,
and merciful, slow to anger
and abounding in steadfast love,'
was a deficit especially in His dealings
with those that Jonah hated.
But God was all that to Jonah-
saving him from death in the ocean,
and causing a plant to grow and
'made it come up over Jonah,
that if might be a shade over his head,
to save him from his discomfort.'
All undeserved.
And I wondered why.
And then I realized You have dealt the same way with me.
Time and again.
And also all undeserved.
He is extemely depressed because the Ninevites repented
and God relented of the disaster that He said He would do to them.
Jonah mentions that he wants to die three times
in Chapter 4. and to him the fact that 'God was a gracious God,
and merciful, slow to anger
and abounding in steadfast love,'
was a deficit especially in His dealings
with those that Jonah hated.
But God was all that to Jonah-
saving him from death in the ocean,
and causing a plant to grow and
'made it come up over Jonah,
that if might be a shade over his head,
to save him from his discomfort.'
All undeserved.
And I wondered why.
And then I realized You have dealt the same way with me.
Time and again.
And also all undeserved.
First Fruits
The words of that dear suffering criminal really touched me today.
"Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Luke 23:42
He perceived and believed that Jesus was His Savior and King.
And what a boon this must have been to the dear suffering Savior.
Here was the first fruits of His living and dying on earth!
"Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Luke 23:42
He perceived and believed that Jesus was His Savior and King.
And what a boon this must have been to the dear suffering Savior.
Here was the first fruits of His living and dying on earth!
Me Too
All these wonderful things that the Lord says about Israel in Hosea 14, He also says about us, doesn't He? For we are His chosen ones also.
Just a few:
"I will love them freely.." v.4
"They shall return and dwell beneath My shadow." v.7
"It is I who answer and look after you." v.8
"From Me comes your fruit." v.8
Just a few:
"I will love them freely.." v.4
"They shall return and dwell beneath My shadow." v.7
"It is I who answer and look after you." v.8
"From Me comes your fruit." v.8
My Sheep
God says at least 13 times in Ezekial 34, that the people of Israel are "My Sheep." And He is grieved because His shepherds have treated them so badly. And there is pomise after promise of how He will take care of them and make up to them all the wrong that has been done unto them.
It's a blessing just to read this chapter seeing Jesus as our Good Shepherd, doing the same for us.
It's a blessing just to read this chapter seeing Jesus as our Good Shepherd, doing the same for us.
Sad Commentary
What a sad commentary on anyone:
"They (the Pharisees and lawyers) rejected
the purpose of God for themselves." Luke 7:30
How careful we must be to follow where He leads.
"They (the Pharisees and lawyers) rejected
the purpose of God for themselves." Luke 7:30
How careful we must be to follow where He leads.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Darkness and God
"The people stood afar off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. "Ex. 20:21
What a contrast. And what courage Moses had. I'm sure all his previous experiences with God enabled him to do this. God and darkness do not seem compatible. How does this relate to those dark times in our lives? Certainly He is there for one thing.
I would rather go into the darkness where God is than to follow that 'angel of light' where He is not.
What a contrast. And what courage Moses had. I'm sure all his previous experiences with God enabled him to do this. God and darkness do not seem compatible. How does this relate to those dark times in our lives? Certainly He is there for one thing.
I would rather go into the darkness where God is than to follow that 'angel of light' where He is not.
Happy to do it
"You meet Him who joyfully works righteousness." Isaiah 64:5
That is so nice to know. Every good thing that He does for us, He does it joyfully. He doesn't grudgingly meet it out. I like this picture of Him which is the exact portrait of a God of love.
That is so nice to know. Every good thing that He does for us, He does it joyfully. He doesn't grudgingly meet it out. I like this picture of Him which is the exact portrait of a God of love.
God fulfills His Promises
This gave me a surge of hope because I struggle sometimes with unbelief.
Zechariah did not believe God's promise of a son and Gabriel said that Zechariah would be punished "because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." (Luke 1)
His unbelief did not keep God from fulfilling His promise!
Zechariah did not believe God's promise of a son and Gabriel said that Zechariah would be punished "because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." (Luke 1)
His unbelief did not keep God from fulfilling His promise!
Children of Israel
"Aaron spoke all the words that the Lord had spoken to Moses and did all the signs.~~And the people believed~~and bowed their heads and worshipped."
And soon afterward life became unbelievably worse.
"The foremen of the taskmasters were beaten" because the people could not make their quota of bricks because now they had to find their own straw. What a faith tester! And when Moses found out about it, he went straight to the Lord and challenged Him. "You have not delivered your people at all."
(Ex. 4,5)
In the story of the plagues it says that either "Pharaoh hardened his heart or Pharaoh's heart was hardened." But after the final plague it says that "the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh. (Ex. 9-11)
It is a dangerous progression~~our hardening of our hearts till He finally does the hardening. We are warned not to "Quench the Spirit!"
And soon afterward life became unbelievably worse.
"The foremen of the taskmasters were beaten" because the people could not make their quota of bricks because now they had to find their own straw. What a faith tester! And when Moses found out about it, he went straight to the Lord and challenged Him. "You have not delivered your people at all."
(Ex. 4,5)
In the story of the plagues it says that either "Pharaoh hardened his heart or Pharaoh's heart was hardened." But after the final plague it says that "the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh. (Ex. 9-11)
It is a dangerous progression~~our hardening of our hearts till He finally does the hardening. We are warned not to "Quench the Spirit!"
Job Idioms
Is this where the idiom about a talkative person being windy comes from?
"How long will~~the words of your mouth be like a strong wind?" Job 8:2
And "I will~~wear a smile." Job 9:27
Those people who don't read the Bible rob themselves of so much-not just spiritually. There is much picturesque reading. It is just plain good literature.
"How long will~~the words of your mouth be like a strong wind?" Job 8:2
And "I will~~wear a smile." Job 9:27
Those people who don't read the Bible rob themselves of so much-not just spiritually. There is much picturesque reading. It is just plain good literature.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Learning to Lean
"Who is this coming up from the wilderness,
leaning upon her Beloved?"
~A picture of one whose faith and love of God
has not been shaken by the wilderness experiences of life.
She clings to Him during that time
and has learned to lean on Him entirely.
The song, "Learning to Lean" comes to mind.
"Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods
destroy it."
Song of Solomon 8:5,7
As Paul said,
"Who can separate us from the love of God.."
Romans 8:35
leaning upon her Beloved?"
~A picture of one whose faith and love of God
has not been shaken by the wilderness experiences of life.
She clings to Him during that time
and has learned to lean on Him entirely.
The song, "Learning to Lean" comes to mind.
"Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods
destroy it."
Song of Solomon 8:5,7
As Paul said,
"Who can separate us from the love of God.."
Romans 8:35
Jesus is there
To those who are being persecuted because of their faith,
it must be comforting to know that Jesus is there,
also being persecuted.
He said to Saul, the persecutor,
"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME?"
Acts 22:7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Daniel 3:25~"I see four men loose walking~~~
and the fourth is like the Son of God."
Not only did the fire not burn them
but God gave them the added gift of His presence
with them. Those flames would have been fearful
even if they weren't hot and His presence there
would have kept them from the panic Peter
experienced 'when he saw the wind was
boisterous, was afraid, and began to sink.'
Matt. 14:30
it must be comforting to know that Jesus is there,
also being persecuted.
He said to Saul, the persecutor,
"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME?"
Acts 22:7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Daniel 3:25~"I see four men loose walking~~~
and the fourth is like the Son of God."
Not only did the fire not burn them
but God gave them the added gift of His presence
with them. Those flames would have been fearful
even if they weren't hot and His presence there
would have kept them from the panic Peter
experienced 'when he saw the wind was
boisterous, was afraid, and began to sink.'
Matt. 14:30
Organized Worship
From Nehemiah 10-12~
The singers and the singing were a very important part of Israel and their worship.
'Asaph, who began the thanksgiving with prayer,
Matthaniah, who led the thanksgiving psalms,
The heads of the Levites, with their brothers across from them,
to praise and give thanks;
group alternating with group~
to celebrate~
both with thanksgiving and singing,
the singers built for themselves villages
all around Jerusalem~
had appointed two large thanksgiving choirs,
one went to the right hand and on the wall,
the other thanksgiving choir went the opposite way.
So the two thanksgiving choirs stood in the house of God.
The singers sang loudly, with Jezrahiah the director.
In the days of David and Asaph of old,
there were chiefs of the singers,
and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God,
offerings~~~to the storerooms,~~
where the singers were.'
They singers were supported the same as the Levites.
The singers and the singing were a very important part of Israel and their worship.
'Asaph, who began the thanksgiving with prayer,
Matthaniah, who led the thanksgiving psalms,
The heads of the Levites, with their brothers across from them,
to praise and give thanks;
group alternating with group~
to celebrate~
both with thanksgiving and singing,
the singers built for themselves villages
all around Jerusalem~
had appointed two large thanksgiving choirs,
one went to the right hand and on the wall,
the other thanksgiving choir went the opposite way.
So the two thanksgiving choirs stood in the house of God.
The singers sang loudly, with Jezrahiah the director.
In the days of David and Asaph of old,
there were chiefs of the singers,
and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God,
offerings~~~to the storerooms,~~
where the singers were.'
They singers were supported the same as the Levites.
They must not Know him
Those who picture Paul as a harsh, opinionated man
see him in an entirely different way than those who
knew him personally. When he left them at Ephesus
they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him
sorrowing~because he said they would see his face
no more. Acts 20:37
see him in an entirely different way than those who
knew him personally. When he left them at Ephesus
they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him
sorrowing~because he said they would see his face
no more. Acts 20:37
For Goodness Sake!
Spurgeon, in his book 'Evening by Evening' says,
"They who yield to the Holy Spirit's influences,
become good.
They who obey His impulses do good.
They who live under His power, receive good."
"They who yield to the Holy Spirit's influences,
become good.
They who obey His impulses do good.
They who live under His power, receive good."
Instead, we are servants
God's plan and will for His people was to live in 'the land that You gave to our fathers, to eat its fruit and enjoy its bounty.' Instead, because of sin and disobedience they cried, 'Here we are, servants today! Here we are, servants in it.' Neh. 9:36
Just as today, many times we live below our privileges and do not enjoy the blessings that are God's will for us. We think our will is better, to our sorrow.
Women in Ministry
Sometimes I think I am too negative towards women
and their need to be used in the church and the power struggles that I see.
I am interested in Aquila and Priscilla's roles in the church.
They worked together and when they saw that Apollos was not teaching the whole gospel 'they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.' Acts.18:26
I needed to see that. She had an active part in their ministry.
Apollos, among all his other great attributes, was teachable. He did not become defensive when Aquila and Priscilla showed him that he was not teaching accurately but accepted it and changed his message.
and their need to be used in the church and the power struggles that I see.
I am interested in Aquila and Priscilla's roles in the church.
They worked together and when they saw that Apollos was not teaching the whole gospel 'they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.' Acts.18:26
I needed to see that. She had an active part in their ministry.
Apollos, among all his other great attributes, was teachable. He did not become defensive when Aquila and Priscilla showed him that he was not teaching accurately but accepted it and changed his message.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Holy Duet
(Editor's note-I remember listening to the beautiful singing of men's choirs on the radio and from our record player.)(2007-08 journal)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I guess the nearest description as I read this passage is that my spirit was quickened within me. "At midnight, Paul and Silas were singing hymns to God." Acts 16:25
I love men's singing and I'm sure they harmonized with each other. I am sure they sounded like the two tenors. "The prisoners were listening to them"
and being blessed, I'm sure.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I guess the nearest description as I read this passage is that my spirit was quickened within me. "At midnight, Paul and Silas were singing hymns to God." Acts 16:25
I love men's singing and I'm sure they harmonized with each other. I am sure they sounded like the two tenors. "The prisoners were listening to them"
and being blessed, I'm sure.
Nehemiah
Another outstanding man who had been taken in captivity to Babylon was Nehemiah. Ezra, Daniel, and Zerubabal were others. They did not deserve to be taken with the other reprobates but it did not destroy their faith.
Nehemiah's beautiful prayer in Nehemiah 1:1-11 has all the attributes of a perfect prayer-just a few phrases.
Worship-"O Great and awesome God"
Confession-"I confess the sins of the children of Israel-
Both my father's house and I have sinned."
Intercession-"Hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before
You now, day and night,
for the children of Israel, Your servants."
Claiming God's Promises-Remember Your word-
"If you return to Me and keep my commandments-
I will gather them----
and bring them to the place which I have chosen."
Asking God's blessing on ourselves-
"Let Your servant prosper this day, I pray."
Nehemiah's beautiful prayer in Nehemiah 1:1-11 has all the attributes of a perfect prayer-just a few phrases.
Worship-"O Great and awesome God"
Confession-"I confess the sins of the children of Israel-
Both my father's house and I have sinned."
Intercession-"Hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before
You now, day and night,
for the children of Israel, Your servants."
Claiming God's Promises-Remember Your word-
"If you return to Me and keep my commandments-
I will gather them----
and bring them to the place which I have chosen."
Asking God's blessing on ourselves-
"Let Your servant prosper this day, I pray."
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