psalm 78:3-4 These are the things we learned from our ancestors and we will tell them to the next gneration. we wont keep secret the glrious deeds and the might miracles of the Lord.
- this is such a principal i tharing the great higns our great God has done - not only in my family and to my children, but to all and everyone around me. naturally sharing and making known the glrious deeds that our very real and able God has done, not keeping them or Him secret and hidden.
1 John 3:1 Think how much the Father loves us. he loves us so much that he lests us be called his children, as we truely are.
What a statment. We are God's children. I mean - it is so remarkable. God, holy and almighty, creator of the universe calls us his children and saved us through hte sacrifice of Jesus that we may truely be accepable and in relationship wtih Him, that he may be our Father and that we may know him. truely his love is everlasting and great. we shoud THINK of it more...
1 John 3:9 God's children cannot keep on being sinful. his lifegiving power lives in them and makes them his children,so they cannot keep on sinning.
part of me has always "struggled" with this passage. because i sin. i make mistakes. i even sometimes intentionally sin. i am weak and i do stuff i shouldnt do and i dont sdo stuff i should do. does this mean i am NOT a child of God???
i think this passage more says that as children of God our intention and our desire which is expressed in choicds and actions should be to follow and obey Christ. he enables us to make more godly choices, to deny ourselvse and choose obedience over flesh. yes there will be times of sin but tehy should be the excpetion not the normality of our lives. God outworks and inworks purity and righteousness in us.
Isaiah 6:1 In the year King Uzziah died, I had a vision of The Lord...
my thoughts:
a new leader means a new season.... who was the new leader? what was his regiume like? how did the new leader relate and obey God?
in a time of grief - national grief too - a time of sorrow and hardship - dont loose sight of God, in fact press in even more!
i love Isaiah's reaction to his encounter with God. 1/ he recognised his unworthyness and sinfulnesss - yay for Jesus who cleansese us from all unrighteousness and makes us acceptable to God. 2/ send me, use me, my life is yours, i must tell and share what i have seen, i must obey....
Hebrews 13:15-16 Our sacrifice is to keep offering praise to God in the name of Jesus. But dont forget to help others and to share your possesssions untiil then. This too is like an offering and a sacrifice that pleases God.
Simple.
I get this.
Personal.
Relevant.
Contempory.
Community.
Hebrews 13:12 - so that his blood would make people holy.
oooooh.. love the way that reads/says. The blood of Jesus makes me holy and righteous and pure and clean. His blood makes me acceptable to God.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Big YAY! YAY YAY YAY! i couldnt go past this one with out the yay! doesnt that excite you and fill you with hope and confidence and greater trust in our Lord! He never changes. He is the same today as he was back in the day and will continue to be the same wonderful, faithful, compassionate, merciful, almighty self in the future to come!
Hebrews 13:5 Dont forget those who are suffering, but imagine you are there with them.
what a motivation then to help and pray and offer comfort and encouargement and pracital support - we would have the perspective of caring for ourselves and what we would prefer and need. so often we can look at people who are suffering or in a hard time and just glance at them and say "yip, i'll pray for you" and 2 seconds later forget abou them entirely. God however isnt like that and doesnt want his Body on earth to be like that either. He wants His Body here on earth to act like He would in person! Personal.
john 16:32 Behold, the hour comes, yea, has now come, that you will be scattered, each man to his own things, and you will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
this for me one of the most poignant verses.... when you think that on the cross the cry of Jesus “Father Father, why have you forsaken me.” Jesus and the Father are one. In creation the word used is “us” - “let us make man in our image”. Yet at the cross the Father took his presence away from Jesus – Jesus was separated from God because of OUR sin. For the first time that separation happened. Jesus bore our punishment in the cross, but I am sure one of the most painful, if not THE most painful element of his death.
john 15:13 No one has greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
for me this verse doesnt mean to just physically die but to pour our lives out day by day in living. Which is really a greater sacrifice sometimes isn't it….
proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desires and has nothing; but the soul of the hard worker shall be made fat.
read SATISFID instead of fat... the lazy lie about and wish - i wish i had a clean house, more money, a good job etc but they just wish and dont act... but those who are hard workers get that satisfaction out of what the achieve…
1corinthians 14:12 Even so you, since you are zealots of spiritual things , seek to build up the church, in order that you may abound
being enthusiastic about spiritual things is a good thing. In the right context. If it is all about experience and ego but not about serving God and his church and the lost then it can be a bit redundant (in my opinion…) Paul encourages the Corinthians to make sure that they are seeking to build up the church with their giftings and to keep serving God. I believe that God gives us gifts like in 1 Corinthians 12. It is exciting and awesome that God gives gifts and uses people like you and me to share his message of hope and encouragement and to pray for the sick and they are healed etc. with that gifting comes responsibility to minister and not to play… to serve God and not our own agenda or ego… and to as the previous chapter of Corinthians reminds us, to do it with love.
luke 15:1 And all the tax-collectors and sinners drew near to Him in order to hear Him.
the sinners and rejected of society were drawn to Jesus. They wanted to be with him and they wanted to hear what he had to say about life, God, living, eternity etc. they needed to hear his message because it contained life in it for them. They were accepted by Jesus and learned how to have relationship with God. They were not rejected by Jesus and so they were not rejected by God. The religious leaders and people had rejected them and cast them off with no hope. I pray that sinners and people who don’t know God are drawn to me and to what I can say. I pray they will not feel rejected by me because my God certainly doesn’t reject them but sent his only son to die for them so that they might know him and his love and eternal life.
proverbs 6:16 These six the LORD hates; yea, seven are hateful to his soul: 17 a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that plots wicked plans, feet hurrying to run to evil, 19 a false witness who speaks lies, and he who causes fighting among brothers.
this passage has always made me stop. I think it is the way it is written – with the 6 then 7 aspect. The things are quite simple things – things all of us really are guilty as charged with. For tme they cover everything. It covers the big bad evils and the things we overlook and don’t consider as really bad… like proud looks, lying, discord etc… the things that are soooooo common place in our world today that they get given sitcoms and talk shows dedicated to the glory of these things…. Seriously! This passage reminds me that God hates sin but is merciful and gracious by sending Jesus to die and take away our sin. Because of Jesus we are now dead to sin but alive in God. We have a clean start and a new heart.
1 corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I have become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have prophecies, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so as to move mountains, and do not have charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I give out all my goods to feed the poor , and though I deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, I am profited nothing.
without love we are empty and ineffective. Without love we serve not God but our own ego and agenda. Without love we are not working in the interests of those we should be ministering to. Without love we can be the most charismatic leader but something wont ring true. If we are not motivated by love then all the fans and the platitudes and book deals will end up as stubble being burned on the fire. Love builds a work that lasts for eternity because it is forged in the lives of the people we help and encourage and develop.
God releases and uses those who are motivated by true love. Love means we put others first. Love serves. Love does not serve its own agenda or ego. Love gives the glory and applause to God. Love protects those we minister to.
Love should be evident in our famly, in our friendships, in our relationships, in our workplaces even. Jesus said that by our love people will know that we are Christians. Love is a demonstration of the work of God in our lives. God is love. When we love others we are showing them who God is. Love isn't airy fairy and weak but powerful, full of truth and life transforming. Love sacrifices and makes hard choices. Love doesn’t give up but continues to try hard and get the job done. Despite obstacles love will spur us to keep working. Love brings with it joy and long term vision. Love sees the best. Love makes the choice to see the best in someone.
Love knows that this season will pass and that the sun is shinning above the clouds. Love sees the twinkle in someones eye and knows that is the real person, not the horrid manifestation of a bad day, or pmt, or a too tired toddler…. Love forgives and moves on.
exodus 10:1 And the LORD said to Moses, Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, so that I might show these My signs before him, 2 and so that you may tell in the ears of your son, and of your son's sons, what things I have worked in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, so that you may know that I am the LORD.
big picture…. That is what this verse says to me. There is often a big picture we cant see – tht isn't revealed to us. God is at work in our lives and the lives of EVERYONE and has a plan and a purpose that he is outworking. We must continue to trust him, seek him, serve him and follow him. where he says go we should go without delay. Sometimes things are hard – a these times we must not think God has abandoned or forsaken us but we should keep pressing in and learn wisdom and see God in these times. For moses the book of exodus wasn’t a walk in the park – it was what he lived through and experienced. Hard times. The opposition by not only pharaoh but sometimes the very people he was trying to lead was used by God to demonstrate his power, supremacy, ability and authority. These were lessons the people of israel needed to learn so that they would take and live in the promised land and in relationship with God. They are lessons we ourselves can learn from their testimony and their mistakes…. Part of my mind struggles with the concept (loose term) that God hardens hearts against himself for demosntration sake but we can read it here. Part of the hardening was redepmtive too – redemptive in the fact that God was demonstrating himself so that they would see God and know that he is the Lord. Pharaoh and the people of egypt saw this too and could choose to believe, in fact many left with the israelites and joined them in their exodus….
luke 13:14 And answering, the synagogue ruler, being angry because Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, said to the crowd, There are six days in which it is right to work. Therefore in them come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
kingdom of God stuff ie healing is not the bad work the sabbath prohibits. for me the sabbath is a recognition and demonstration of faith in God our creator and provider. we dont work as a sign that God is Lord as much as it is a acknowledgement htat God is our provider. Lord first, provider second for me.
Exodus 18:14 And when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing which you do to the people? Why do you sit alone by yourself, and all the people stand by you from morning to evening? 17 And Moses' father-in-law said to him, The thing that you do is not good. 18 You will surely wear away, both you and this people that is with you. For this thing is too heavy for you; you are not able to perform it alone. 19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you. You be for the people toward God, that you may bring the causes to God. 24 And Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.
sometimes God will bring the right people into your life at just the right time. people who with wisdom and insgiht can speak into our lives. moses' father-in-law came at the right time and ended up giving moses some valuable leadershp lessons. what i like about moses here is that his heart and mind were open to recieve the constructive critism by jethro. he didn't play the big man of the moment, he learned from his father-in-law and became a more effective leader. He kept a big picture mindset – best not for his ego but for the people…
exodus 24:8 And Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD has made with you concerning all these words. 9 And Moses went up, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. 10 And they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the heavens in clearness.
first came blood - cleaning, purity and righteouness restored....
then encounter with God... likewise with us in a way (not putting God in a box or limiting his soverign work at all!) – first we need to be cleansed and surrendered and then we are able to more effectively (is that the right word)?) and more openly seek God and his presence and encoutner him…. but for us the blood is not of bulls or lambs but of the precious blood of Jesus, the sinles spotless Lamb of God who takes away our sins and makes us righteous and new.
john 3:1 And there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles which you do unless God is with him.
nicodemus really wants to know if jesus is the messiah - just as most of the other elders and jewish leaders did. there was a marked difference though between the questions of nicademous and 'the others'. the heart. openness to God and HIS TRUTH. The other leaders were more concerned with ego and themselves appearing as leaders and spiritual – Nicademus really did want to know if Jesus wa s the one he had put his hope in – Messiah. Jesus knew this and so when nicademus asked questions he was answered in a totally different way – he was ministered to by Jesus.
john 4:25 The woman said to Him, I know that Messiah is coming, who is called Christ. When He has come, He will tell us all things. 26 Jesus said to her, I AM, the One speaking to you.
the first person jesus says I AM to (thus revealing WHO he is...) wasa samarian woman with a shady sinful past.... doesn’t that say something about WHO God is…. Does to me :o)
john 6:20 But He said to them, I AM! Do not be afraid.
another I AM moment. I so love them!
Luke 15:8 Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she loses one drachma, does she not light a lamp and sweep the house, and seek carefully until she finds it ? 9 And when she has found it , she calls her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost. 10 Likewise I say to you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
do we REALLY get the preciousness and biggness of the whole lost deal? like really???
exodus 8:10 And he said, Tomorrow. And he said, It shall be according to your word, so that you may know that there is none like the LORD our God.
the plagues of exodus in eygpt are not to make the egyptians suffer for sufferin' sake but are to demonstrate the power and supremacy of God as one true God. i have read/heard that each plague counters the power or attribute of an eygptian god. God has the victory over all these false gods demonstrating not only, even moreso to the eygptians but to the enslaved hebrews that he is almighty. the first commandment is I AM GOD, ONE GOD - WORSHIP ME ALONE. the enslaved hebrews were surrounded by pluralism which probably invaded their own beliefs. God had to first restore his rightful place so they would follow, obey and have faith in him...
john 13:35 By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love toward one another.
so simple. our relationships and care and love reflects and demonstrates God to those around us. it isnt by our buildings, demnoniations, degrees, titles, labels or anything likt that - but it is love in action that shows people God. love isnt airy fairy sweet and sippy it is nitty gritty walking through life, when it counts, when you laugh, when you cry, truth, doing, giving, hoping, real...
romans 12:20 Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him. If he thirsts, give him drink.
need i add anything??? i dont think so...
1 corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
God is in the business of transformation. he takes us and gives us a clean new start. he washes the guilt away. he transforms us. we are a new creature. what was is was. what is is a child of God. live in the new. live transformed, new, rightous, holy, pure, innocent. live clean, santified, justified. take this new life, embrace the forgivess, look ahead and put aside the past things and live this new life as the child of God you ARE.
luke 18:1 And He also spoke a parable to them to teach it is always right to pray, and not to faint,
it is never a bad thing or a waste to pray and to pray again and again about something. it is not a sign of weakness or failure to come and pray and to pray again and again about something.
sorry - its been a long time since i've posted here... not that i have
stopped reading my bible, i just havent been making as many long or sharable
notes... so browse through some of the archives or come see me at
http://fireball.lifewithchrist.org
luke 11:1 And it happened as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of His disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught His disciples. 2 And He said to them, When you pray, say: Our Father, who is in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, as in Heaven, so also on the earth. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread, 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
jesus wasnt teaching a rote prayer to be added to a list of rituals or a formula but taught them a real life way to connect with God and find faith in him... were the disciples looking for ritual and rote prayer? Maybe. Every guru has their formula and special secrets. We see that so evident today with yoga, the secrets, the sedona method and so many other things…. Were they looking for that? Jesus turns it on its head. He doesn’t give them (I beleive) a prayer to just recite. He gives them keys to connecting with God. Worship. Relationship. Lordship. Surrender. Faith. Trust. Grace.
