Trying to fit God into life is very difficult.   Finding time to read His word, pray, etc. seems almost like a chore sometimes.   Oh, don't get me wrong, we usually enjoy it and have good intentions but it is as if we know God really doesn't mind if we don't spend time with Him.  He understands.  Well, He does understand.  He will not force himself on us.  But, His way is the best way through this busy life of ours and though he understands does not mean we will get away with ignorance.   Just reading Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman.  Great stuff.  Define your relationship with Christ.  Are you a fan or a follower?
The reading list we have is just a guide, a motivator.  No need to follow it day by day.  Go ahead and read the entire book of John every day then move on-be a rebel.  Anyway.  I do not want to be just a fan of God, I want to be a follower.   How about you?

Of course I like the book of Daniel.    Great name.    I am just amazed at his knowledge of God.  Daniel knows who God is.   Just read Daniels blessing to God in 2:20-23.   Wow.

Psalm 90-91

Isn't it cool that God said He was going to protect Moses, grant him long life, care for him simply because Moses loves Him.  

I am continuing in the reading plan, not only because we agreed to, but because it is God's Word.  Because I want to get to know Him more, love Him more.

Lamentations

Anyone else feel like today's reading could very easily be applied to us and our country. I hope we'll be wiser and repent and stop our idolatry and return to Him.

Proof

I'll reply to Dan's question of "do you believe" by taking it one step further. This might sound confrontational and maybe it is. If you do believe, there is no doubt you'd be in His Word. It's impossible for me to comprehend that someone who claims to be a follower, a believer, would not be in love with Jesus and His Word. When we love someone, truly love them, we want to know everything about them, we want to please them, we would die for them. Jesus said, "There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. This is my command: Love each other" John 15:13-15,17. My challenge and my question to everyone is this: Do you love Jesus? Is He your friend? Words are just words, actions are the truth about what you believe. The world will know who you belong to by your actions. Jesus proved His love for us by His actions. He died, willingly, for us. Love to all my brothers and sisters in Christ! Have a blessed day.

Believe

Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?   If so, getting to know God's character in scripture is a grand thing.  

Jer: 27-31

  God prophesy on His new covenant came here.  Letting us know that we would no longer have to teach others to know God.  That each of us would know Him already.   He would be in our hearts.   He did that.  He is in each of us and we know it.  It is not a matter of trying to know God it is a matter of accepting the fact that He is already in us and not denying it.  
  He also said that we have hope.  What a great word, Hope.  

1Cor13-14

12 Describes love.   There is nothing greater than this.   Dave lost his mother in law on Easter Day.  This woman was loved.   Pray for Dave and his wife Elaine as they go through the mourning but know that they have the strength of Christ and, as Ch14 discusses, will not be confused but understand that the God of Love with comfort them.   Remember today that the sacrifice and resurrection that we celebrated this weekend really did happen.  He LOVED us that much.   Love you guys and praying for you often.

Psalm 39,40,41

I have felt especially close to Jesus this week. Tonight my heart is full of praise and worship for Him. This Easter week has been different than any other in my life. I'm filled with such gratitude. I have this yearning to go to the foot of the cross and cry and weep and praise and worship. As I read Psalm 40 tonight it spoke my feelings and my thoughts, it put a voice to my heart.

How happy is the man
who has put his trust in the LORD
and has not turned to the proud
or to those who run after lies!
LORD my God, You have done many things—
Your wonderful works and Your plans for us;
none can compare with You.
If I were to report and speak of them,
they are more than can be told.

May we give glory and honor to you Lord Jesus by how we live our lives in accordance with the example that you gave to us. May we love and serve each other as you taught us.

Amen

1 Corinthians 9,10

I don't think these Chapters get much work from us "lay" people. They deal a lot with rules, regulations, protocol, proper attitudes toward each other etc. We like the fun stuff like God's love, mercy, grace, justification and forgiveness. I like Chapter 9 though for several reasons. 1. It emphasizes Paul's authority. Since he writes much of the New Testament it's a good reminder of his qualifications. 2. It humanizes the early church and helps me realize that those folks were no different than us. They sometimes got caught up in jealousy, comparing themselves to each other and looking for differences rather than similarities. They had wives and families and the Scripture clearly implies that it's okay for preachers and teachers to be married. 3. It leaves no doubt that we should be supporting our teachers and our churches "do not muzzle the ox.". 4. Finally it leads me to admire Paul and his level of commitment to the spread of the gospel. Although he was entitled to receive support he did not take advantage of that. He worked, and went without. He did whatever it took to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. It inspires me to want to do that, to "run that race."

Saturday: Mark 3-4

Okay so me and Jared are behind a little but we are catching up slowly.

I just want to say that I love Mark. It is very straight and to the point in my opinion and I have always enjoyed reading it.
Some of my favorite parts of these chapters are reading about Jesus' stories of healing. They are so amazing! When we were reading Mark 3 about Jesus healing the man with a crippled hand we stopped and talked for a little bit about how similar the world is today about church and making Sunday pure. How some of the people that were there around Jesus were trying to tell him what was right and what was wrong. I feel like so many people are like that today. Who are we to tell God what is right and wrong? People are so stubborn. They are so worried about the "rules" and what is right and what is wrong to do on a Sunday but if we are doing good then who is it hurting? "Some of the people watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal the man on the sabbath day so they could accuse him." Mark 3:2

--Heather and Jared

Home - I Am Second

Home - I Am Second

1 Sam 6-10

I am reminded that we have one King, Master, Lord.   He is our God and He is sufficient.  I love that he gave Saul a new heart.   That is what he does with us.  He gives us the desires of our heart, a new heart. Praise the God of the universe for he loved us enough.   I have an audience of one.  Yes I do need to obey the authorities (Rom 13) but I serve one Master.    He is my King.   Have a great day.

Psalms 27-29

Psalm 27

As I read this today I was struck by verses 4-6.

One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

I have no idea what other commentators say about these verses but this is what they said to me this morning: For us, those who claim Jesus, the house of the Lord is our Bible. His Word in His house,our Temple. The Word(Holy Spirit) is already in us. When we open its pages, and study it, that is the key to unlocking it's power. It unleashes its power into our hearts enabling us to apply it to our life and the lives of others. When I dwell in His house(His Word) every day I see His beauty as I study His Word. When trouble comes, I need not fear my enemies for I have His Word with me. It hides(protects) me. He sets me on a high rock where I can witness to my enemies. I'm filled with joy. I have a song in my heart and sometimes I just have to let it out. Yes, I sing praises to the Lord.

I pray that we all fall in love with His Word. The only way to do that is to read it every day. Reading it is the match that starts the fire. Eventually the heats builds up to boiling and the desire to share it will become so great that we have no choice. So read every day and share at least once a week or you're going to boil over and make a mess. AND...I want to hear what God is saying to you. I love hearing His word from all ages, experiences, and points along our walks.

I like the book of Ruth. It always spoke to me of loyalty,love, hard work, kindness. But once again I'm amazed at how the Old Testament is a picture of Jesus. Below is commentary from Wiersbe. After I read it the light bulb went off. It makes perfect sense. Ruth means much more to me now.




Ruth and Esther are the only OT books named after women. Ruth was a Gentile who married a Jew; Esther was a Jew who married a Gentile; but God used both of them to save the nation. Ruth is placed between Judges and Samuel for a definite reason. Judges shows the decline of the Jewish nation; Samuel shows the setting up of the Jewish kingdom; and Ruth pictures Christ and His bride. During this present age, when Israel is set aside, Christ is calling out His bride from among the Gentiles and the Jews. As we shall see, this brief book has a wonderful typical meaning. It is a love story and a harvest story, and that is what God is doing in our world today.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1993). Wiersbe's expository outlines on the Old Testament (Ru 1:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Isaiah 45-50

I believe that Isaiah 46: 9-10 says it all.  These two verses are profound.  If you really believe that what you believe is really real then pay close attention to this:

      for I am God, and there is no other, I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose." 

Men and Women,  God will get done what He says he will get done.  We can't change it.  We can either enjoy His blessings along the way or choose to not follow and suffer the consequences.  As for me and my house we choose to serve the Lord!   I won't like everything that happens but I will be content and at peace if I get on His band wagon.   Come on and join me! 

Hello

  In January when we started this we all agreed to read God's Word in one year.   We don't have to blog but it just seems if blogging is not happening then it is likely that reading is not happening.   I am keeping up for the most part and today I am just asking:  Are you doing your daily readings?  Integrity is a big word with a big meaning.   All of us said we were going to read this bible through in one year.   Are we?   I trust that God is speaking to you through His word as He gave us the scripture which is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.  If I really believe that what I believe is really real, then I want to know Him more.  I am praying for each of you.  That the Lord would encourage you and that you would have the integrity to follow through with what you said you would do.   Is your word good enough for His Word?  He is God.  He gave us these scriptures, we agreed to read it.  So, let's read.   If you are behind, don't try to catch up.  Just start with todays reading and continue.  There will be time somewhere along the way to "catch up".    May the God of Peace and Grace give you a hunger and thirst for His Word and may each of you be blessed by the power of the Holy Spirit through Christ.  Amen

Judges 12-17

The Lord used Samson to save Israel from the Philistines.   Samson was not the usual judge but was used non the less.  His strength came from the Spirit as does ours.  He defiled himself with lying, eating from a dead carcass, killing, getting a Philistine wife......Did not do exactly what you would think a judge should do.  Yet, God used him and was with him.   We have the power of Sampson available to us and sometimes we do not feel worthy.   We do things we should not do as well but as in Sampson's case, God can and will use us in miraculous ways.   Be aware of the Holy Spirit in us and nothing is impossible.  

Judges 12-16

Samson had already gotten into trouble with one woman, but now he tried again, this time going deep into enemy territory to Gaza. Again, God warned him by allowing the enemy to almost catch him, but Samson still refused to repent. It was then that Delilah came into his life and led him to his doom.
It shocks us to see this Nazarite sleeping on the lap of a wicked woman, but this is what happens when people choose to go their own way and reject the counsel of loved ones and the Lord. Three times Delilah enticed Samson, and three times he lied to her. Each time, the enemy attacked him, so he should have realized he was in danger.
The rest of the story shows the tragic end of the believer who will not let God have his way with his life. From v. 20 on, Samson does nothing but lose. He loses his hair. Then he loses his strength, but he is ignorant of it until he is overpowered. How futile it is for the servant of God to try to serve the Lord when out of His will. Next Samson loses the light, for the Philistines put out his eyes. He loses his liberty, for they bind him with fetters of brass. He loses his usefulness to the Lord, for he ends up grinding corn instead of fighting God’s battles. Someone has said that v. 21 pictures the blinding, binding, and grinding results of sin. And all of this began when Samson despised his blessings and defied his parents!
Samson also lost his testimony, for he was the laughingstock of the Philistines. Their fish-god Dagon, not the God of Israel, was given all the glory. Apparently Samson repented of his sin, for God gave him one more chance to act by faith. His hair had begun to grow and Samson asked God for strength to win one more victory over the enemy. God answered his prayer, but in defeating others, Samson took his own life.
Samson illustrates people who have power to conquer others, but who cannot conquer themselves. He set the Philistine fields on fire, but could not control the fires of his own lust. He killed a lion, but would not put to death the passions of the flesh. He could easily break the bonds that men put on him, but the shackles of sin gradually grew stronger on his soul. Instead of leading the nation, he preferred to work independently, and as a result, left no permanent victory behind. He was remembered for what he destroyed, not for what he built up. He lacked discipline and direction; without these, his strength could accomplish little. He failed to check the impulses that began early in his career, and twenty years later, they killed him.
It remained for Samuel and David in later years to finally defeat the Philistines. Samuel by one prayer accomplished more than Samson did in twenty years of fighting. (see 1 Sam. 7:9–14). Wiersbe

Genesis 28-31

Theme: Scheming, deception, and disobedience to God. Jacobs life was like a soap opera. It probably was inherited from his mother Rebekah who taught him well with the birthright deception episode. It's funny that Jacob, the second born, stole Esau's birthright and then when he worked 7 years for Rachel, the second born, he had to instead marry Leah, the oldest. He was deceived by Laban. He still got Rachel but at the cost of 7 more years. It very much runs in the family. Then Jacob practices deception against Laban concerning his cattle when he leaves. It seems Rachel was practicing idolatry by stealing Laban's idols. And since they were his idols he must have also been involved in idolatry. In spite of all this God was still faithful and kept his promises to Jacob. I think we see this same sort of thing today in our political arena. But to be honest I think we're all guilty of it at some level. May we repent and pray to God for a pure heart and pure motives in all our affairs.

Genesis 28-31

Knowing the whole story helps me to understand more and more that God's ways are not my ways and that I need to be faithful as Jacob was.  Really? 7 years to wait for his wife, then to get tricked and wait another 7 years?  Let alone the time tending sheep, working for his father in law who continues to cheat.  God spoke to Jacob and Jacob knew that God had been with him.  If it had happened any other way, the rest of the story would have been different.   We are not in charge but we can delay God's blessings and even forgo them should we choose.  God's purpose will be done.  I am trying to learn patience, perseverance, forgiveness, and faithfulness.  These chapters help.  I will continue to listen for God's voice and in the mean time I will continue to tend His sheep until He diverts me to another of His tasks.  I am just a sojourner on my way home and will gather my spotted and striped sheep as God gives them.  Love this stuff.   Just returned from a blessing with the grandkids and the celebration of 28yrs with Jessica.  Just a taste of the blessings from our Lord.  

Job 13,14

Sounds to me like Job is yearning for a Savior. 14:14 "Can the dead live again? If so this would give me hope."

Psalm 18-20

Psalm 19 - Here's a paraphrase of what I hear Psalm 19 telling me today: The heavens speak to us and speak to God's glory. The sunrise and the day speak to us. The nighttime speaks to us and reveals Him. All languages and peoples hear these things. We will never be able to say when we stand face to face with Him that we didn't know. We will have no excuse.

Judges 7-11 Gideon

After winning a great victory, we must always beware of the temptation to sin, for Satan attacks us subtly when we least expect it. The nation asked Gideon to become their king and to establish a dynasty; but this he refused. “The Lord shall rule over you!” However, Gideon used this opportunity to ask for “a lesser thing”—all their earrings and ornaments. This seemed like a fitting gift for a great deliverer, but keep in mind that these golden trinkets were associated with idol worship. Ornaments in v. 21 is actually “crescents”; these items were connected with moon-worship. Read Gen. 35:1–4 for the association between earrings and idolatry.
Gideon made an idolatrous “ephod” (or image) with the seventy pounds of gold he collected. What the Midianites could not do by means of swords, Satan accomplished with earrings. (Wiersbe)

Genesis 24-27

Genesis 25 - Esau
The natural man values only what he can see and puts no value on the things of God. Many despise their birthright as sons of God because it is a spiritual thing, of value only as there is faith to apprehend it.
Esau is a type of the man of the earth, Heb. 12:16, 17. In many respects a nobler man than Jacob, yet the fact that he was destitute of faith caused him to despise his birthright. God’s choice of His children does not depend on their character, but their faith.

Romans 13,14

Chapter 14: one of the topics of Romans 14 deals with the problem of questionable things in the Christian life and what to do when sincere Christians disagree about personal practices. Paul recognizes that in each local church there are mature believers (“We that are strong,” 15:1) as well as immature (“him that is weak in faith,” 14:1), and that these two groups may disagree on how the Christian is to live. The Jewish Christians might want to cling to special holy days and OT dietary laws, while the Gentile believers might turn their Christian liberty into license and offend their Jewish brothers and sisters. Many Christians have the false notion that extreme legalism (observing days and diets) shows strong faith, but Paul states that just the opposite is true! It is the Christian that is mature in the faith who recognizes the truths found in Col. 2:18–23.

Just read Dan's post and I would also like to encourage your thoughts on God's Word. I am an old guy but I'm still a baby in my Christian walk. I'm only eight years old. I didn't have great mentors in my life when I was young and I realize now what I missed by being worldly and self willed and not in God's Word. Don't miss this great opportunity for spiritual growth.

Romans 13-14

Dave, you have given great points on the scripture readings.  I would like to hear from some of you others that are reading and let us old guys know what you are thinking about.   These chapters reveal several things to me.  1)  I need to submit to governing authorities. Give them the respect that they deserve.  God has placed them in their positions for His purpose whether I like it or not.  This is a hard one to swallow sometimes but I need to trust that God knows much better of how to get others to Him than I.   2) In 13:8 he says to owe no one anything, except to love each other.. I have taken this not only in the sense of obligation to help, return a favor, etc but also as a point to not get into debt.  I think it is important for the young adults to understand that debt causes a lot of problems later.  Avoid credit card bills, etc that are just debt for the sake of filling earthly desires and you will be free. 3)  The times when we quarrel over opinions is meaningless.  In 14:1 it is discussing you trying to make a point of what is right or wrong with someone who is weak in the faith.  Let God deal with that.  It is okay to share what you interpret the truth as but you do not need to force others to believe your way.  God will take care of that and hold each of us accountable according to what we know.    Do not judge yourself or other or cause a stumbling block for you brother whether it be through judgement, actions, or words.  There is no reason to do something, though it may be permissible, if your brother thinks it is wrong.  There are numerous situations that this can come into play.  Trust God and His word.   Have faith in what He is doing.   As it says in 14:23..For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.   If we try to justify ourselves and what we want lacking the faith then God says it is sin.   Whoa.  Heavy stuff but it is truth and I choose to follow it.  

Matthew 14-16

Matthew 14
John’s ministry was now completed. He had heralded the coming of the King and had faithfully preached God’s truth. Christ must increase, and he must decrease (John 3:30). Any Christian who is faithful to the Word of God, as John was, will suffer persecution. The world is not the friend of the Christian. The world has rejected the King and will also reject His messengers.

Isaiah 29-33

Isaiah 29:
“Ariel” was a pre-Israelite name for Jerusalem. It is probably used as a play on the word for “altar stone.”
The people were in such a spiritual stupor that the word of the Lord through the prophet was as a “book that is sealed.”
It is only when God is known with the heart as well as the mind, when his word is a part of the life as well as the lips, that the ways of God can be known.
Spiritual insecurity is the result of spiritual stupor. Which way is God moving? We do not always know beforehand. When God begins to act we will be better able to discern it and to move with him if our hearts are aligned with him. (Teachers Bible commentary).

Job 11-12

Job 11: Zophar says a lot of right things but “his pride is showing.” He asks Job “can you fathom the mysteries of God?” (implying correctly that Job can’t), and then acts as if he can by suggesting to Job why he is suffering. His assessment would be valid if we were only talking about sin and it’s consequences. He is acting as a mouthpiece for Satan. The “mysteries” of God that Zophar is not addressing are His mercy, compassion, wisdom, love, plans, and all others to numerous to mention.

Lessons for me are: to be conscious of God in every person , place, and thing. To listen to James when he says “be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” To come to every situation and person I meet today with a spirit of humility.

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Psalms 15-17

Psalm 16

8 I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. 9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. 10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. 
 11 You will show me the way of life, 
granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever

I read some commentary on this Psalm. It’s the third messianic psalm. It touches on the life of Christ (v8), the death of Christ (v9), the resurrection of Christ (v10), and the ascension of Christ (v11). I did not know that, but I can see it now.

Judges 1-6

Judges 6:25-26
That night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one that is seven years old. Pull down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole standing beside it. Then build an altar to the LORD your God here on this hilltop sanctuary, laying the stones carefully. Sacrifice the bull as a burnt offering on the altar, using as fuel the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down.”

I’m weary of the direction of our country. I’m ready for a Gideon to arise and destroy our idols. I pray for revival that we return to the one true God. Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Genesis 20-23

Genesis 22:1-24

True faith is always tested. Of course, God did not want Isaac’s life; He wanted Abraham’s heart. Isaac was dear to Abraham, and God wanted to be sure that Isaac was not an idol standing between Him and Abraham. It was possible that Abraham was trusting Isaac to fulfill the promises and not trusting God. How did Abraham go through this test? For one thing, he rested on God’s promises (Heb. 11:17–19). God had promised Abraham many descendants, and this promise could not be fulfilled unless Isaac lived or God raised him from the dead. Abraham knew that God would not lie, so he rested in His unchanging Word. “Never doubt in the dark what God has told you in the light.” Abraham obeyed without delay. If we do the one thing God tells us to do, He will reveal the next step when the right time comes. God’s answers never arrive a minute too late! God supplied a ram just when one was needed. This is why Abraham called the name of the place “Jehovah-Jireh—the Lord will see to it!” (Wiersbe)

Romans 11 & 12

Romans 11


For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.
33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
34 For who can know the LORD’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to give him advice?
35 And who has given him so much
that he needs to pay it back?
36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

I certainly don't know His ways. And it's not important to me anymore that I do. I believe, I trust, I choose to serve Him, and give all glory and honor to Him. His ways are perfect. His will, not mine, be done. Amen.

Matthew 11-13

Matthew 11
John the Baptist, the greatest of men born of women, but least in the kingdom of heaven. But even this great man must have wondered about Jesus while trapped in his dark, lonely cell. Like many Jews of the day, including the Apostles, maybe he thought Jesus had come to set up His kingdom right now and doubt had set in. Therefore he asks the question "Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?" Jesus answer is remarkable and is a direct reference to Isaiah 35:4-6. Jesus knew that John would recognize his credentials from the OT and ease his fear.

Matthew 13
I have to comment on Matthew 13:33. For eight years now I've pondered over, studied, prayed about, asked at least five different pastors about, and read numerous commentaries about this verse. I've gotten many different answers. I still don't have my answer. Does the leaven represent evil, or the gospel, or something else? What does the woman represent? It's driving me nuts. My translation says she hid the leaven, others say she put in the leaven. Translators can't even decide. Anyway... :) that's what I've got to say about that.

Isaiah 23-28 Judgment

Isaiah Chapters 13-23 have to do with prophecies of judgment on the nations. Isaiah 24 is prophesying judgment on the world. The "Great Tribulation". 25-27 is about the millennium after the Great Tribulation. Amazes me how much Scripture there is about the end times. I used to think it was only Revelation that dealt with that subject. It's all over the Bible. I think I'm only just now scratching the surface. Only thing I know for sure at this point...Jesus is coming back and no one knows when.

Job 9-10

Jessica and Dave got it.   What an amazing God we have.  Who am I to question Him?  I can't understand His ways.   He is greater than I can comprehend.   Can I reason with Him?    You and I are no different than Job in being loved by God.  The difference is that Job really believed.  
I choose to believe and unlike Job I am going to plead to Christ that He not allow me to suffer like Job. But, I need to be firm in the faith that when suffering comes, I can praise Him.    I choose to believe that, like Jessica said, He is God and I am not.  

Job 9,10 It's all about Jesus

As I sit here in my quiet time this morning I can feel God's presence and His peace. It started as I started reading Chapter 9. Not to be dramatic but there are some times when I read God's Word and it brings me to the point of tears...good tears. God's Word is so amazing to me. I've read these Chapters many times but not until this morning did they affect me like this. They exploded on me. They bypassed my brain and went straight to my heart. God revealed more of Himself to me and I feel like some of the characters in the Bible who fall on their faces in His presence. I just want to worship Him.

These are the verses that spoke to me the most:
"But how can a man be righteous before God?"

"God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered?"

”He does great things past finding out,Yes,wonders without number."

"If He takes away, who can hinder Him?"

"Who can say to Him, ‘What are You doing?”

“How then can I answer Him, And choose my words to reason with Him?"

"For though I were righteous, I could not answer Him; I would beg mercy of my Judge."

“For He is not a man, as I am, That I may answer Him, And that we should go to court together."

"Nor is there any mediator between us, Who may lay his hand on us both."

"Let Him take His rod away from me, And do not let dread of Him terrify me. Then I would speak and not fear Him, But it is not so with me."

I just put them all together. It seems as if Job is pleading for a Savior. He's begging for mercy from the judge, he wishes God were a man so he could answer him, he's wishing for a mediator. Sounds like a longing for Jesus to me. I think that's why I got emotional. I realized that all the things Job was pleading for...we have. We have Jesus. I can't even put into words how grateful I am for that. Thank you LORD, thank you Jesus.

February 2, 2012 Job 9-10

As I sit here reading the woes of Job from the comfort of my ivory tower, I do not know the pain or suffering Job endured... I felt I had to make that disclaimer.

9- It amazes me how God is about the details... He recorded here for us a conversation between these men that is very elaborate with picture words that describe God's character.

9:2 ... But how can a mortal be righteous before God? Case and point!

10- My foot note stated that Job was starting to wallow in self-pity... "our pain lures us toward feeling sorry for ourselves, at this point we are only one step from self-righteousness" OUCH! This is where we keep track of how unfair that our situation is and what has happened us. We take our eyes off of God and focus on the circumstance we find ourselves in. I need to look and see what I can learn from situation and how it can be used in my life and how it will grow me. God IS God, I am not.

Psalms 12-14 Fools

Psalm 14:1 says "The fool says in his heart there is no God" I have a hard time believing that anyone really believes there is no God. As a matter of fact, I don't believe it. I do believe there are millions(billions) who don't want to believe in God. They don't want to believe in sin either. How convenient. I think Scripture clearly says that anyone who claims "non belief" is a liar. Some verses:

Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

1 John 2:22
Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?

John 12:32
And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.

Most(not all) atheists I've had discussions with on this topic are what the world considers intellectuals. Their god is their intellect. I think I'll trust the one true God on this one. "The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God." Atheists - Fools participating in foolishness.

Wayyy behind! Matthew 8-10

I am doing some catch-up on my readings and I just read Matthew 8-10. I really feel the need to share a few of the home-hitting points that smacked me in the face from this reading. In this one case, I really hope you enjoy the face-smackin!

Illimitable faith, vehemence to share our certainty, fear of God alone, eternal salvation. Those are the steps that define a Christ-follower's life. It, of course, all starts with faith. The last part of Matthew 8:28 says: "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" Wow. What a simple question, yet such a deep significance. If we truly desire to follow the Lord, we have to be able to answer that question with an undoubtedly trenchant "yes" from the very depths of our heart. The Lord promises so much to those who follow His lead. All He asks of us is that we unequivocally believe that He is able. It is a choice. As easy as it may sound, it took me quite a while to finally dig up that question and truly believe that He is able. Once we can strongly affirm that statement in our lives, we are ready for the Lord to begin the process of living out His glory through us. There will not be many people who honestly believe that. "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." Our faith in Him gives us a peaceful hope through ineluctable mockery for the duration of our time on earth. "Be on your guard against men..." "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." If the Lord is whom we affectingly believe, then that sounds like music to my ears. It will not be easy, but if we keep our eyes focused on the reward of eternity with the One whom we serve, what is there to fear? "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in Hell." The Lord should be our unequaled fear. If He is not, do we truly believe the fundamental question of our so-called belief system (Do you believe that I am able?)? We can not be afraid to speak up for the truth by which we live that has saved us. "At that time, you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." Who can say no to that? All we have to do is be willing vessels, zealous to share the endless grace that the Lord has in store for all of us. Not all will receive it because not all will listen and accept. Yes, some will mock, but that is their own eternal loss. When judgement day comes to pass, there will be many who will wish they had listened to the truth coming from the Holy Spirit via those who believe and live as such. All we are asked to do is follow those basic (yet, still quite difficult) steps: Faith, profess, fear the Lord. Once we define ourselves by the measure of those actions, we will receive the acceptance of our venerated Father. "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in Heaven. But, whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in Heaven." Do you believe that He is able?

Joshua 21-24

The theme for my Emmaus walk was "I've Come To Serve". As I read Joshua the word "serve" was repeated many times. Joshua was a great leader and like Jesus he came to serve. In Chapter 24 he hammers the point home over and over. Serve God and Him only. Get rid of all idols. I love the Pep speech in Chapter 24. It reminded me of the end of the movie "Courageous". "Then you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho. And the men of Jericho fought against you—also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. But I delivered them into your hand. I sent the hornet before you which drove them out from before you, also the two kings of the Amorites, but not with your sword or with your bow. I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.’
“Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”" Yes!!!

Matthew 8-10

I love the Gospels because you get to really see the Character of Jesus and his disciples and how they do ministry. So often people get too caught up in traditions and just the way they have seen ministry done for years. We also get doctrine from the church or other sources without basing some of our beliefs on scripture. We forget about Jesus' ministry and the example he shows us in the gospels and the church he sets up in Acts.

When Jesus prays for the sick, dead or demon possessed his prayers do not sound anything like most prayers I have heard in the church; no authority, faithless and unfruitful. When Jesus prays, and later the Apostles, they pray with authority and faith and then God heals the sick, raises the dead and cast out demons.

Isaiah 53:4 says "He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases." So that means along with our sins Jesus also took sickness and disease. The woman in Matt. 9:18-26 was healed according to her faith. Revelation 12:11 says that Satan was defeated by "the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony," now that's powerful! What authority we have as children of God with the name of Jesus! He has the authority and gives us the right to use it just like he did!

So next time you pray for someone or pray over yourself think about how Jesus would pray. See how He will move in your live, or in someone else's life. Lets get back to the way church was in Acts. I want to see God really move in our lives. The Hut is more like the original church than most "Churches" in more than one way.

Sorry to get slightly off topic with the church. I have been wanting to post something about the church for a while but didn't. It's been on the hearts of many people in the area including myself.

Who's the Church?
We're the Church!

God Bless,

~Brandon

Genesis 16-19

While researching some commentary for this mornings reading I was blessed by the thoughts of Warren Wiersbe and decided to share. I never made the connection before that Jesus was one of the three men who visited Abraham. God in the flesh = Jesus.

I. Christ’s Visit with Abraham (18)

Verses 17–22 make it clear that the Lord Jesus Christ was one of the three heavenly visitors; note also Abraham’s words in v. 3. The great theme of this chapter is the believer’s fellowship with Christ, for Abraham was “the friend of God” (James 2:23). In chapter 19 we see Lot, the friend of the world.

It is interesting to contrast the two visits in chapters 18 and 19. Christ Himself visited Abraham, but only the angels went to Sodom to visit Lot. Christ had a message of joy for Abraham and Sarah, but the angels gave a message of judgment to Lot. Abraham was visited in the daytime but Lot in the evening. Abraham was at a tent door; Lot at the city gate. Abraham had power with God but Lot had no influence even with his own family. Abraham saw Sodom destroyed and lost nothing, but Lot lost everything. Only his life was spared. Abraham brought the world blessing, but Lot brought trouble into the world (the Ammonites and Moabites).


Wiersbe, W. W. (1993). Wiersbe's expository outlines on the Old Testament (Ge 18:1–Ge 19). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Romans 9-10

Right in line with the sermon today and the purpose of this reading challenge.   The bible is truth.  The bible is inspiration.  The bible is from God.   It is Him speaking to us.  Do not underestimate the power of these words.  I would like to see some discussion about what we read and how we interpret it.  If we all share a little we have fellowship in God's word.

Romans 9:6  But it is not as though the word of God has failed.    


If you belong to Him, His word will not fail.  

Romans 9, 10

Romans 10:17

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Want more faith? Read your Bible.
"Dust on the Bible, drought in the heart." Adrian Rogers

Matthew 8-10 Miracles

Once again there is way too much in these three chapters to discuss in one sitting so I'm going to touch on just one area.
If we just read about the miracles of Christ it may impress us but it might not teach us. God's Word is so powerful that if we read it and walk away just feeling giddy or feeling Ho-Hum, then we've missed something. The miracles speak about Jesus and who He is, the promised Messiah in Isaiah Chapters 35 & 53 for instance. They have messages that shed light on His mission, i.e. - the forgiveness of sins, the gospel going to the gentiles, the mindset of the people. The first two miracles, the leper, and the centurion as examples. The first of the miracles, the healing of the leper, with its reference to the priests in 8:4, is a reminder to us of the priestly function of the Messiah. In the Old Testament, it was the priest who dealt with skin diseases such as leprosy (see Lev. 13–14). So Jesus fulfills kingly, prophetic and priestly functions. The healing of the leper is an immediate act of Jesus, a response to a passionate plea. Leprosy is Jesus day was also a symbol of sin so it represents Jesus power to forgive/heal sin. Jesus touched him.
The second miracle, the healing of the centurion’s servant (8:5–13), is a reminder to us of Jesus’ concern to extend the kingdom beyond the Jewish world. In his encounter with a Roman soldier, we again have the principle of Jesus reaching out that we saw when the wise men came to worship him as a child. All this anticipates the Great Commission to all the nations. What is interesting here is the centurion’s great faith (v. 10), which contrasts with the disciples’ ‘little faith’ (v. 26). Those whom we would expect to have great faith only have little faith, while those whom we might expect to have no faith at all show great trust in Jesus. For the centurion, Jesus heals the servant at a distance, rewarding the absolute confidence that the centurion puts in him.
God is good, all the time...Amen

Isaiah 18-22

God's in charge. The End.

Job 7 - 8 Questions

I read today's text with new(for me) questions. When this was happening what was Job's and his friends relationship with God? There had been no Patriarchs or prophets yet. They talk about God as if they had been schooled or given some divine revelation about Him. Did they have some kind of contact with God previously? There was no Bible yet. Were they venturing some sort of educated guess? Did they know about or have a concept of Satan? I look at what we have now as far as our knowledge of God and feel so blessed. But what did they have and how did they get it. My "guess" is; all they had was word of mouth and maybe some form of written witness. I will not be able to rest until I do some research to see if I can get some answers to these questions.

Psalms 9 - 11 Where is your heart today?

Once upon a time I struggled to read the Psalms. Now they are my favorite. They teach us how to pray, how to praise and worship, how to react to God in whatever feeling we're in on a particular day. It's hard for me to praise God some days when I would rather ignore Him or be mad at Him. The Psalms have taught me how to praise Him even on "those days." Today's readings reminded me of the breadth and depth of Psalms.

Psalm 9:
I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.

Psalm 10:
O LORD, why do you stand so far away?
Why do you hide when I am in trouble?



What are you feeling today? There's a Psalm just for you. Seek and you will find

Joshua 16 - 20 Taking possession

“How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers has given you?" This might be a stretch but I think not. If I apply this to my life I can see where God has given me many things, but more specifically His Word. This study that we're doing this year has opened my eyes a bit. I've studied God's Word in years past but I've never done it every day as I'm doing now. For the first time I feel like I'm going and laying claim to His Word. I'm clearing the land, I'm chasing out the enemy. I figure this year I'll do all that and next year, when I do it again, I'll start building a house, plant some seed etc. I'm pumped!

Genesis 12-15

Abraham did have more faith than anyone and yet it comforts me to know that even he doubted when he lied about Sarah being his wife.  Of course God worked it out but I am certain he did what I do after the fact -Hit myself in the forehead and say "Why did you doubt Dan?"  It is a great reminder and comfort just knowing that God will bring us through and our faith, though it waivers, will strengthen.  

Prayer

My family and I are in need of some prayers. One of our family cats, Cuddley Duddley, had to be put down. We found out last week that she had AIDS. As the days went on, she started getting worse. We had make a tough decision, but we know that it was the right choice. Just asking for some comforting words and prayers. Thanks for the support.

Genesis 12 - 15 Faith

Abraham got his faith the same place we should get ours. The Word of God.

Romans 10:17 - Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God

Romans 7-8

Rich.   Just Rich.   His word comes alive sometimes that just reminds me of how small and insignificant I am and how great He is.  

Romans 7-8

It's 1/22/2012 and this is my first post.  First I apologize for not following with everyone I feel I also need to do this and be held accountable and get help when needed.

Romans 7 1-6 Is a section where mine parts off talking about the adultres.  I have to say that for people who know the law of being a christian and they know it have sinned I feel for those more so that dont know the law, but are indeed a "Christian" and they still do it.  Would they be accountable for the law if they did not know that part before they got a divorce and was still a Christian?


Romans 7 7-12-Talks about the law being holy and we must follow it though we all will still struggle I agree with it.  When it was not here people did not know right from wrong.  Yes they had feelings, but before God told them of this law they did not know what was truley right and truley wrong.  I still find it hard to believe even when we do have the law and have become alive we still fail and dont follow the law when we all know it's right.

Romans 7 13-end  The rest of this chapter is a bit confusing, so can someone clarify me if I'm wrong?  I think what he's trying to say here is that now that we have the law we must fight our sinful desires everyday because we are dead without God's law.  Or flesh want to have different desires then our spiritual desires do.  Being dead from the start and becoming alive again with the spirit we show that the spirit is what is in charge of our lives since we have no chance without it for the body and and mind of us is sinful alone, but the spirit in us is not sinful why we must have it to help control our lives so we don't do any evil.

Romans Chapter 8: 1-11 Was basically a recap looks like on the closing of 7.  It almost says the same thing right?  I'f I'm wrong please correct me.

12-end
I am a bit confused here but I do know he is repeating over and over again that without God and Jesus who is the law we are sin, so we do not know him for he does not know us.  Without him dying on the cross and raising again we would be nothing but dust still on the ground, but because he did that we know he is in us when we accept him and follow his law who God and Jesus is.  (This is what I got from reading that passage.  I cant wait to hear what others have to say about it as well :).  This is a good way to get help and just contemplate on the things you have just read).

Romans 7 -8 Victory!

In Romans 7 we're shown our old nature and its hold on us. Even though we're dead to sin (Chapter 6) we still struggle with doing what we think God wants. Chapter 7 shows us that we can't. "I do what I don't want to do and I don't do what I want to do." Works don't work. In and of ourselves we cannot be victors. But, thank God, we "have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter." Our goal is not to live up to the letter of the law but to serve in the newness of the Spirit. We serve because we love Jesus and want to, not because we feel compelled or guilty. Chapter 8 wraps up chapters 6&7. It's the victory Chapter. Victory over sin. "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus". Dead to sin, delivered from the law, Living in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Matthew 5-7

Chapter 5: 11-12; "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." This reminded me of the story Heather told on Friday. How these people insulted you because of what you said about your beliefs. End the end you will be blessed for what you said and hopefully it meant something to someone in your class. I am proud that you were able to say what you said.

Matt 5 - 6 - 7, Matthew 6:33

Matthew 5-7

I'm pretty sure I could spend the rest of my life just studying these three Chapters. I won't attempt that here. Today, just one verse will do. Matthew 6:33 is one of my life verses. I use it a lot in my ministry and it seems to be a verse that speaks to those I work with. It definitely speaks to me. When I was new in my walk with Jesus I was reading James. The verse where James says do not be "double minded" was unclear to me and I had to figure out what it meant. After asking a few trusted mentors about it I did some research. I came upon a phrase that resonated with me called "single eye". Single eye means to be fixed on the spiritual. To be looking only at God. It is the opposite of the double-minded person in James 1:8; 4:4, 8. I call that being cross eyed. That doesn't work. Jesus speaks of it in verse 6:24, we can't serve two masters. So...today I work hard at having the "single eye". When I find myself drifting to double mindedness I pause, hit the reset button, say a prayer and keep on walking. If I had to paraphrase this verse I would say "This journey is about a relationship with Jesus Christ and nothing else!"

Isaiah 12 - 17

A. Worldly Glory: Babylon (13:1–14:27).
B. Worldly Alliances: Near Neighbors (14:28–18:7).

These chapters are difficult to get a handle on for me. I suspect it is for scholars also. If I was pinned down I would say this: I believe God's Word is meant for all peoples and for all times. A casual reading of these chapters might appear to be talking about Babylon etc and that time period. If that was the case, then while it might be an interesting History lesson, it wouldn't hold much significance for us. But, I believe it was written by Isaiah, with God's inspiration, for all of us. For the Israelites of that day it would have given them hope. It's as if God was saying - Yes, Babylon is a great glorious empire but it is going to perish. Yes, all of its neighbors who will conquer it and come to power are intimidating, but they too will perish. I think it was God saying, have Faith in Me alone. I know what I'm doing. Trust me alone and you'll be fine. Don't be swayed by what your eyes see and your ears hear. Listen to me, be obedient and all will be well.
God doesn't change so I believe it's a message also for us today. We live in a great nation. If we go the way of Babylon then God will deal with us the same way. We can be assured that we will fall. The Israelites of today are us, believers in Jesus Christ, and we can take comfort in Jesus promise that, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Psalm 8: I am not the point.

I am not the point.

I was reading Psalms this morning, because I fell asleep reading last night =D

And everything  I read is saying to me I. Am. Not. The. Point. At first, we hate to hear that. What?! You mean I'm NOT the center of the universe?! But... but...!

But then, I realize that not being the point frees me. If I am not the point, it frees me to be a servant. It frees me to lift others up, to encourage. It makes me much harder to offend. In the end, it makes me a better human being (which isn't the main goal, but it's all part of God's rather spectacular plan.)

It frees me to make much of the Name of Jesus, and realize that my name is just one in a billion, passing away like mist. But my life can count for one thing - His glory.

By being everything, He has freed me to be nothing.

How beautiful is that?!

Questions of the day

How will we react when stressors hit us?  Will we listen to our friends?  Will we listen for God?  I have never lost everyone I love, or had sores all over my body.  I am not sure what I would do if I was in Job's shoes.   But I do know that the closer I get to Him the stronger I am.  I believe the Holy Spirit would give me the strength, stamina, and whatever else I needed to survive.   If I am with someone that is hurting I want to keep my mouth closed, ears open, and a listening heart.  

Job 5 - 6 - How will we react?

Eliphaz the Temanite speaks. It's easy for us to read this and and maybe pass judgment. What strikes me is that these three friends in Chapter 2 saw Job from afar, barely recognized him and wept. Then they sat silently with him for a week. Finally Job speaks and of course He's on his pity pot. It's hard. It scares me to think what I would have done. The lesson for me in Chapter 5 is: If I really don't know what to say then "Nothing is better than something". When our friends or loved ones are suffering pain or discomfort it causes us pain and discomfort. We humans don't like that so we react by saying anything or doing something which sometimes makes things worse. We speak from our intellect, or our opinions. This might make us feel better, but that should never be our motive. Eliphaz words were coming from his wisdom and his experience and not from God. "The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God." We should never speak for God unless we're sure it is from God. Eliphaz words sound very wise, but he's building a straw man. I think Job nails it when he replies in verse 6:25 "How painful are honest words! But what do your arguments prove?" And verse 6:28 "But now be so kind as to look at me. Would I lie to your face?" Eliphaz has gone from being a comforter to an accuser. A question that God's Word brings to me in Chapter 6 is: Sometimes life brings us trials and tribulations and we honestly don't know why. If that happens to me, how will I react? I've not done well in the past in this area. As my faith and trust in Him grows I've been doing better. It's a fact of life that this will happen to us. I think the book of Job is definitely a great teacher for us when it does.

Job 5-6

Job felt he was unjustly being punished because he believed God punished those who were living righteously and he knew he had been.  He thought God was being unfair and was complaining about it.  He also got on his friends who were of no help.  His suffering apparently lasted for months.  It must have been horrible.
  He has taught me this morning to be patient.  To be a friend and listen with understanding instead of joining in.  He taught me to trust in our Lord.
 

Would like to hear from you.

Okay,
    The word is rich.  Full of wisdom.  It is exciting to read and feel it change you.  The idea behind the HUT challenge is to blog what God is revealing to you through His word.  There are only a couple of bloggers and it would be nice to hear from others.  There is some good stuff being said.  I know that at about this time some may be behind on the reading.  It is okay.  Remember you do not have to catch up.  Just start today.  If you can go back to the ones you missed then great.   The idea is to be in the word daily and to share with others.  
   Love the Word.  Love you guys.  Looking forward to reading about what God is saying to you.

Psalms 6,7,8

I will just make a comment on Psalm 6. As I read it this morning I was very moved. It's one I relate to in a big way. I could feel David's pain, his sorrow, his longing for the Lord. I've felt all that. My favorite verse is: "I know you've heard my plea, and I know you will answer my prayer."
The one thing missing for me before I committed to Christ was verse 9. I didn't trust God, I didn't have the Faith that David shows here.

Thank God, I do now.

Verse 9 is a promise from God. I believe it, I trust it, I stand on it! Now I read Psalm 6 and I relate to all the verses.

Come, Lord Jesus

What I think: Joshua 11-15

These chapters in Joshua display some of the most prevalent foundational ideals of following Christ. Chapter 11 shows Joshua and his men continuing to follow the Lord's direction to a T. The Lord threw a lot at Joshua and his men, things that to a lot of us would seem unconquerable. Just as Joshua knew: the Lord will protect us against the imminent opposition we face by claiming the name of Christ. The Lord promises us that He will guide and protect us as long as we will listen and obey, no questions asked. When we start to doubt the Lord is when we begin incorporating our own decisions in with the Lord's will. That is never a favorable concept. We are human, so to second-guess is in our nature. When the Lord is first and everything He says goes, we have confidence in His promises to Joshua. No matter how great the opposition, the Lord is greater and can do all things through those who obey.

I love that it said Joshua was old, but the Lord still had many things He wanted to accomplish through Joshua. That just goes to show that regardless of our earthly situation (young, old, handicapped, etc.) the Lord does not see our ailments, He sees a vessel sold out to His will, working for His glory. If we are willing to trust and obey the Lord with everything in us, He will do great things for His kingdom through us. The Lord does not see our worldly circumstances as hindering, so why should we?

The Lord worked through Joshua and His men in marvelous ways because they hinged on His every command. Chapters 12-15 list the accomplishments and blessings bestowed upon Joshua and his men. It just astounds me the immensity of the blessings they received because they followed the Lord. It occurred to me that Joshua and his men were working for the Lord, not for the blessings they would receive. Their eyes were fixed on the prize, but not the immediate ever-chased prize. They diligently pursued the prize of serving their King with all they had and working for His glory. They did not consider their reward to be the earthly benefits the Lord gave them. They received the ultimate prize, the only thing they really wanted: an eternity with their Lord. It is proven by what the Lord says in 13:33: the tribe of Levi was not given any earthly inheritance, the Lord was their inheritance. What is incredible to me is that was enough for them. That is all any of them wanted. When we choose to follow the Lord and His commands, we can't always expect tangible blessings of this earth. We have to desire the Lord with all of our heart, which makes Him enough. He should be all that we need and what we desire most of all. He has proven time and time again that He IS enough for us. He is really all we need. Following Christ is not about what He can do for us or what He can give us. Pursuing the life of a Christ-follower with anything but the mind and heart of Joshua is inaccurate. We were designed to follow Him for a relationship, not benefits. When we gain that true relationship and change of heart, immediately, the Lord becomes our focus, fully our God. Though we may receive earthly blessings, it no longer really matters. True Christ-followers desire God above all else. With that mindset, we will receive the everlasting prize.

Joshua 11-15 TRUST

Joshua: 11-15

Lots of real estate transactions in these chapters! The lesson/s for me in these chapters are:

1. When God makes a promise, bank on it.

2. Your age makes no difference to God, act like you believe Him. Have strong faith as Joshua and Caleb. Don't be a wimp like the others.

3. Caleb at age 85 asking for his promised land. Never mind the giants and the mountains, he believed God and so his attitude was: What giants? What mountains? Attitude is important.

4. All of the above and more can be summed up in Proverbs 3:5-6...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

What I think: Genesis 8-11

The underlying theme of these chapters, I believe to be: Keeping our eyes on the Lord and striving to emulate His nature will keep us from choosing to partake in the desires of our human nature. It just baffles me how patient Noah was through the story of the flood. He was willing to wait however long the Lord needed Him to. Why? Because He knew the Lord would keep His promises, so He eagerly awaited that fulfillment. Then, after the Lord's promise was enacted, the very first thing Noah did was offer sacrifices of praise to the Lord. His heart and mind were in the right place. The Lord blessed Him by giving Him the entire earth at His disposal. The Lord promises blessings to each and every one of us that faithfully await them. It may not be the whole earth at the palm of our hands, but the blessings are eternal. How we react to the blessings combined with what we do as a result, I believe, dictates the extent to which we will receive them. If we live the life of a Christ-follower by giving all that God has given us back to Him, the Lord can, will and wants to bless us immensely. In addition to that, we must remember that we are called to turn away from the ungodly nature of this sin-soaked world. Ham chose to look into the face of sin and, by calling his brothers, inevitably became a stumbling block for others. We are called to be the Shem and Japheths of this world. There are plenty of Hams who will give in to earthly desires and effortlessly attempt to bring us down as well. When that arises, we have to turn our backs from the sin and do our part to radiantly shine the nature of Christ. We have to help those who sin, yet not allow them to cause us to stumble. If we live a life completely bathed in the nature of the Lord, our desires and actions will change. For that, the Lord will bless us. We were meant to have a heart similar to Shem and Japheth: pure and focused on mimicking the Lord's character. We are called to be leaders for Christ in the temporary while patiently awaiting the eternal. Will we stumble along the way as Noah did? Yes, for the simple fact that we are human. As the Lord says, "Every inclination of our hearts are evil from childhood." That is why Christ died for us, not to give us an excuse to succumb to our human inclinations, but rather to cover our sins and offer grace to those who stumble. Through doing our best and wrapping ourselves in the Lord's nature, we will be able to turn away and be leaders in the name of Christ in this naturally sinful world.

Genesis 8-11

I read today's Word from a Bible that has no notes, no commentary. Except for a short description at the beginning of each book describing Who the inspired author was, when it was written etc., it has nothing but God's Word. It's very hard to find a Bible like that. I like it because I can read His Word without the distraction of someone else's opinion. It's just me and the Holy Spirit. So each morning when I read that's how I start. What is God's Word saying to me. I look for the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. I have a template that I make notes on. I observe His Word(people, places, things etc.), try to Interpret it, and look for ways I can apply it to my life or use it in my life today. Now, having said all that, I promise you that I didn't just wake up one morning and Poof! I knew how to study. No. I'm still a work in progress and probably will be for the rest of my days. But, I developed my own style of studying that works pretty good for me right now. I think part of my style comes from God's inspiration but a whole lot of it comes from other people. People who have gone before me and dissected God's Word for all it's worth. So this morning I decided to give an example of one man and how he interpreted our reading. This is great fun! :). Use this year to develop your own style.

These are some notes I copied from Warren Wiersbe. I think his analysis is very good and so I thought I would share.

Enjoy

II. The Flood Considered - Typically

The ark is an illuminating picture of our salvation in Christ (see 1 Peter 3:18–22). The salvation and the ark were planned by God, not invented by humans. There is only one way of salvation and there was only one door in the ark. The ark was made of wood, speaking of the humanity of Christ: He had to be born as man in order to save us. The word for “pitch” in 6:14 is the same as the word “atonement” used later in the OT. God invited Noah and his family into the ark (7:1); then, once they were in, God shut them in so that they were secure (7:16). The ark saved not only humankind, but also the creatures within it, just as Christ’s death will one day deliver creation from the bondage of sin (Rom. 8:18–23). The ark saved Noah and his family from judgment because they believed God’s promise (Heb. 11:7); Christ saves us from the wrath to come as we believe Him. First Peter 3:18–22 connects the ark with the resurrection of Christ; the waters buried the old world but raised Noah to a new life. Noah was faithful to obey all that God commanded; Jesus said, “I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:29). Noah was brought safely through the floods; Christ went through the flood of suffering (Ps. 42:7) and came out in victory. Noah went out of the ark, the head of a new creation with his family; and Christ came out of the tomb, the Head of the new creation, and the Father of a new family.

Noah went through the judgment and was kept safe, just as the believing Jewish remnant will go through the Tribulation to establish the kingdom on the earth. Enoch was raptured before the judgment came (5:21–24; Heb. 11:5), just as the church will be raptured before the wrath of God is poured out upon the world. See 1 Thes. 1:10 and 5:9–10.

III. The Flood Considered - Prophetically

Christ teaches that the days before the rapture and the Tribulation will be like the days of Noah (Luke 17:26, Matt. 24:37–39). We are living in the “days of Noah” today. We see such parallels as the multiplication of people in the “population explosion” (6:1); moral corruption of every kind (6:5); violence (6:11, 13); the expansion of arts and industry (4:16–22); lack of conscience, even for murder (4:23–24); and true believers being in a minority (6:8–10). But keep in mind that “the days of Noah” were also days of witness. In fact, God had told Enoch that judgment was coming, and he warned the people (Jude 14–15). Methuselah, Enoch’s son, was born in the year 687 and lived 969 years. He died in the year 1656—the very year the flood came! In other words, God gave the wicked world 969 years of grace. And for the last 120 years of that period, Noah was preaching and preparing the ark (Gen. 6:3; 1 Peter 3:20). Today, God warns that judgment is coming (2 Peter 3—fire not water), but few listen, and even fewer believe.

IV. The Flood Considered - Practically

We see in the flood account at least these six practical considerations: (1) God must punish sin. There must be death to the old before He can establish the new. (2) God gives warnings but eventually His patience ends and judgment comes. (3) God has always saved people the same way: by grace (6:8), through faith (Heb. 11:7). (4) True faith leads to obedience (6:22; 7:5). (5) True witness demands separation from sin, and Noah and his family kept themselves unspotted from the world. (6) Whether “the sons of God” in 6:1–4 were angels or the family of Seth, the same lesson is seen: God condemns compromise and rebellion, but rewards the separated saint.

Genesis 8-11

This mornings reading revealed to me that the genealogy is listed for our complete understanding.  Each name has a purpose and affects future generations.  Going through the descendants of Noah opened up different parts of the world.  A grandson named Egypt?  Abram?  I think sometimes I just assume these people and places just existed.  It is a good reminder to me that God is fully aware of everyone and every place.  He never changes.  His promises are true (rainbow).  The story of Noah gets toned down because of the commercialization of it.  But really focus and think about this man and what God did with him.  It is truly amazing.  Just amazing.  

I am praying for each blog member this morning.  I pray that His word pierce your hearts and give understanding to the depth of His love for you.   Let's hear what He says to you.  Send out a note.  Amo Dei.

Romans 5,6

Romans is not hard for me to understand but it is hard for me to articulate my understanding.

Chapter 5: Justification through faith in Jesus Christ takes away guilt and so makes way for God's peace. Through Jesus Christ alone the believer comes into fullness of joy, being saved from wrath, not only going to heaven, but going triumphantly.

Chapter 6: Deliverance from the power of indwelling sin by counting the old life dead, and yielding to the new life. It is an abuse of the grace of God in Christ for the believer to think he can sin because he is justified by faith. We must cease from the acts of sin, denying the fleshly life, and surrender to righteous law of God so that we give glory and honor to the righteousness of God.

Promises I like from these two chapters:

1. We've been justified by faith

2. We have God's peace

3. We have gained access into grace

4. We rejoice in our sufferings

5. We get perseverance, character and hope

6. We have God's love in our hearts

7.. We have the Holy Spirit

8. We are no longer powerless

9. We are alive to God through Christ Jesus.

10. We have become slaves to righteousness.

Matt 3-4

This morning was one of those days when the Word just opened up.  Specifically regarding baptism and righteousness.   With all the debates about baptism, it is clear that Jesus gave the reason for it.   He said in Vs 3:15 "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.  His only purpose was to be obedient to the Father.   The events we debate:  birth, death on the cross, suffering, baptism, temptations, healings, etc were all done as acts of obedience to the father.  Jesus did them because the Father told Him to.   Do we really need baptism for salvation?  Is salvation the moment when the Holy Spirit descends on us as it did Jesus?  The debates have been going on for hundreds of years.  Yes, we need to have our belief and stand firm in them, but we need not quarrel about those differences.  One fact that no one can quarrel about is that we are to be baptized because God said we are to be baptized.  That's good enough for me.  We can't be righteous without obedience in fulfilling His commands.  Jesus came to bear witness to the truth.  And the truth is, once again, God is God and we are not.  Amen.

Matthew 3 & 4

Chapter 3

Matthew 3:3 - "The voice of one crying in the wilderness." Another prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled. Matthew 3:13 - This verse used to baffle me as to why did Jesus need to get baptized. After study and reflection I have an answer that works for me now. God may reveal more later but for now I'm okay. After we are "saved" it is suggested that we get baptized. I've heard it said that we do this to make public our commitment to Jesus and I agree. But I think there is another reason. When Jesus was baptized He was making public His commitment to His Father, announcing His intention to follow God's will of saving sinners(all of us). He came to save, to "fulfill all righteousness." He was beginning His messianic ministry. That's the part that I think we need to dwell on. Is Baptism necessary for salvation? No. But if we're going to have a relationship with Jesus I think a powerful way to start it is to get baptized as He did. It's our way of announcing that our ministry is now started and that we intend to do the will of the Father who we now have access to through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our ministry isn't to save sinners as Jesus ministry was. Our ministry is to witness for Jesus. To point sinners to Jesus. When we get baptized we're publicly proclaiming we will be faithful to that calling.

Chapter 4 - One valuable lesson I've learned from this Chapter is this: the best way to deal with the temptations and attacks of Satan is with Scripture. Three times Jesus was tempted and all three times he threw Scripture at Satan. I think it's interesting that Satan also used Scripture, almost as if he was mocking Jesus, when he said "for it is written". Satan often likes to attack me by bringing up my past. I always find peace when that happens by praying Romans 8:1. "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." It works!

Isaiah 7-11 Jesus in the Old Testament

Whew, that's a lot of reading and way to much material to comment on in a paragraph or two. I narrowed mine down to Jesus.

Isaiah 7-11

I heard a preacher, Adrian Rogers, one day state - "The entire Bible is about Jesus Christ. From the very first verse in Genesis to the last verse of Revelation." I never realized when I first started studying the Bible how much of Jesus there is in the Old Testament, and especially Isaiah. Isaiah 7:14 in our reading today is a prophecy of Jesus. It is referenced in Matthew 1:23 of the New Testament. That's a powerful witness for me of the inerrancy and truthfulness of Scripture. Other references to Jesus are in verses (8:14,15,18)(9:1,2,6,7)(11:1-2,10). That's eleven verses about Jesus, in just four chapters of Isaiah, seven hundred years before He was born! In Isaiah 11:10 is also a prediction of the promised Messiah being available for the Gentiles(all of us). Praise Jesus!

Isaiah 7-11

Jesus.  It is all about Him.  It does not matter who is ruling in the world.  Which king is after us.  It matters that we trust in the God who delivers us through His son.  The difference is that they said it and we read it.

What I think: Job 3-4

Job ends up doing what I believe most of us would have done long before things got to the point they did. I admire Job for still serving the Lord through the horrid things he was forced to endure. He does, however, take his eyes off of the Lord's promises to sulk. While it is understandable, he (in addition to all of us) should put into practice what Eliphaz said to smack Job back into the realization of what his faith does for him. I absolutely love his response. He shows Job that his suffering is for the Lord. He shouldn't be down because all that is happening is due to God's plan for him. While the idea that a side-effect of choosing to live solely for the Lord is great trials, so much more is promised to us because we live to serve the Creator of all things. This life is only temporary and the struggles within it are imminent. If we keep our eyes focused on the Lord and His promise of blessings, He will carry us through the storms of our mortality. Keeping our eyes focused outward on how we can help others will not only take our minds off of our present circumstances, but it will also give us hope of a better tomorrow due to living the way the Lord would have us to live. The struggles of this life are difficult, and in Job's case, overwhelming, but remembering that we are living for our creator and His ultimate purpose should help us to realize that it is not about us. It is not about what we go through or the curve balls thrown our way. It is about reaching out to people who don't have a relationship with the one who saved them. It is about giving others what we already have. Job did that through being a living vessel for the Lord to work through; a beacon of hope for those who are lost. Once we are completely sold out to the Lord, it is no longer about us and our own earthly expectation of a "good life." It is about living the life of a Christ-follower. Is it always easy? No. That is why we have the choice to follow Him or not. When we choose to follow Him, we have to be living proof that it is all about the Lord and trusting that His plan is what is best. Our lives should be a living testament to what the Lord can and will do for all who call upon His name, no matter what we have to go through for that to become reality.

Job 3,4

Chapter 3

After seven days of silence Job speaks in chapter 3. Job is lamenting being born and then saying there are those "Who long for death, but it does not come." Job does not curse God but he does go into "Why" mode. If I counted right He asks seven why questions. If I had to sum up Chapter 3 in one sentence I would use a why question. Job is asking, "Why has thou forsaken me." The words uttered by David in Psalm 22 and Jesus on the cross. Job knew the answer...acceptance. The words he spoke in 2:10 "Shall we indeed 'accept' good from God, and shall we not 'accept' adversity. That's a good lesson for us. We can know the answer but as Job does in Chapter 3 we fight it. Our trust and our resolve weaken.

Chapter 4

Now Eliphaz speaks. He's supposedly the oldest and the wisest. I felt during his talk that he was condescending and sarcastic. First he asks if he can talk but he doesn't wait for a reply he just jumps right in. Eliphaz based his speeches on two things: his observation of life "I have seen" (4:8) and some scary personal experience he had one night (4:12-21). Eliphaz put great faith in tradition as is later explained in Chapter 15 and his God was an inflexible lawgiver, "who ever perished being innocent" (4:7)? His philosophy left little room for the grace of God. He would have made a good Pharisee. The lesson for me in Chapter 4 is: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Or other peoples understanding. :)

"Strengthened Weak Hands... "

Although the rest of what he had to say may not have been all that helpful to Job, or accurate, I really liked what his friend Eliphaz said about him in verses 3-4:

"Behold, you have admonished many,

And you have strengthened weak hands.

Your words have helped the tottering to stand,

And you have strengthened feeble knees." 

I read the rest of chapter 4 and 5, but this one section has stuck with me through the day so far. I like hearing about the kind of man Job was. As I keep reading it over and over again, I wonder... would my friends be able to say this of me?


Happy Thursday, all...

- Abbie

Job 3-5

Job regrets ever being born.  Do you think he was depressed, hurting, etc?  There are those who are out of work, get a splinter, have an argument, or a get a headache and feel the same way.  This man is sick, in pain and lost everything.  I can't imagine and I pray none of us need suffer this bad.  Though in vs 5:17 it says blessed is the one whom God reproves, therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.  IIt goes on to say that Job will have many descendants, live to be a ripe old age, and that this is good for him.  I imagine at that time Job was having a hard time understanding that this was good for him.  I have a hard time understanding that my trials are good for me but I need to be intentional in my thinking that when things are not pleasant for me, God is still God and I am not.  I will trust Him-completely.   Job's friends, who should not speak, started telling him it must have been his fault as what they have seen is that those who plow iniquity also reap the same.  We know that is not Job's case.  God disciplines us for his glory.  His grace does not allow Him to discipline us for what we do wrong.  Thank Him for that.  Anyway, Job is a comfort to me to realize that suffering can be good for me and though I do not think that way in the midst of my trials, I need to be intentional in my thought that I trust His will for me through them as He will never leave me or forsake me.

Psalm 3-5

When I'm studying God's Word one thing I always strive for is finding an application for us, here and now. Psalm 3 has David revealing his mindset in his troubles with his enemies and more specifically with his son Absalom. "Many were saying there is no help for him in God." But David trusted in God, he was able to sleep well at night "for the Lord sustained me." He was suffering consequences for his sins but God had not abandoned him and he knew it. When we become believers we too may have lingering consequences from past and present sins but God is faithful in his promise to "never leave us nor forsake us." In Psalm 4 I like the verses "be angry and do not sin. Meditate within your heart", "Be still". James also tells us "be slow to anger." It's okay to get angry as long as it's for a right reason and done in a right way and then quickly replaced with "stillness" and a not held onto. Psalm 5 has so much to offer but I'll choose my favorite, the first three verses. I read those and they give me comfort. First we are asking God to hear our words. Then it promises He will hear our voice "in the morning". And I love the conclusion, "In the morning I will direct it to you, And I will look up." It never ceases to amaze me how powerful God's Word is in such a short phrase. "And I will look up", fills me with emotion. I get the mental picture of we invite Him to hear us, He says I'm listening, and then we pray. . We look up. For me that feels like... Father I love you, I know you love me, I trust you completely...Amen.

Psalm 3-5

He lifts us when we are down.  He places a shield around us to protect us.  He sustains us when we are weak,.  He gives me relief when I am in distress.  He puts joy in my heart and gives me peace. He is my safe place.   What an awesome God we serve.  

Psalms 3-5

In Psalms 3, I like how it says "But you are a shield around me, O LORD." I feel that the LORD is going to be a shield for each one of us throughout are lives. He is the one to protect us when there are good times and bad times.

In Psalms 5, I like this statement that is made "Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you." This seems to go back to the LORD is a shield. When He spreads his protection it is like a shield for us. Having His protection can make us want to be happy and rejoice are you.

Psalm 3-5

David is crying out to the Lord for a reason that is familiar to all that have been Christ-followers for some time. There will always be opposition for those of us who choose to live in Christ because we are denying ourselves and relying on the the Lord to better us. The world does not take this well. There will always be people whose greatest desire is to knock us down a couple pegs, essentially bringing us to their worldly idea of a level. That is often a very dauntingly scary situation, to me, at least. Really, what can they do to us, though? If we are living for the Lord and that is the cause of their jealous desire for wrath, what is the worst thing another human being can do to us? Torture us? Kill us? Scary thoughts, I know. However, if they torture us in the name of the Lord and we are still living, clearly that was a part of our God-given purpose. We need to find joy and comfort in that. If we are living purely as an instrument for our Lord, that should be all that matters, paying no mind to whatever our earthly circumstances may be in order to fulfill that plan. If we lose our lives over that, then we clearly know we have lived out our purpose in life and we are going on to spend a perfect eternity in the presence of the Savior that we lived and died in the name of. That kind of mental stability is not always easily achievable. We are only human, which comes with it's own set of human emotions and worries. How do we overcome them? Keep our eyes focused on the Lord, just as David did. The Lord will keep us safe and be everything that we need. We have to search for Him in times of hardship, He is always there. We can't be swayed by the delusions of this world. God will abide in a vessel that belongs solely to Him. Where He abides, there should be no worries because He rules our lives, including what happens to us. We have to keep our motives pure and of the Lord in all things. If we follow our human instincts, our intrigues will be our downfall. We can not have God and worldly pleasures. Only following His law will bring about the intangible blessings that last us an eternity. We must commit all of our worries, cares, questions, and ideas to Him and wait in expectation; knowing we will receive all that we need. He will be our all in all if we allow Him to be. We must seek Him out and do as He commands, and nothing else in this world should cause us any strife. We have the power of God in us, what can touch us?

Joshua 6-10

The story of Joshua is definitely one fit for a man...on the surface, at least. The lesson, however, is one that all of us need to learn. It is not easy, by any means, but Joshua and his men are the epitome of the pay-off. We need to learn to be willing to drop EVERYTHING to follow God and His commands. By "everything," that includes, but is not limited to, our time, resources, efforts, but especially everything in us that pulls us away from God's commands. He told them not to take any of the riches from the city, for the city and all that was in it belonged to the Lord. They did not listen. The more we give in to the pull of our human nature, the less God is present in our lives and the more punishment is bestowed upon us to take His place. Now, in Joshua's time, things were much more drastic. You died for going against the Lord's commands. But, even now-a-days, when we fail to obey the Lord's instructions, there are always consequences. The gaping hole that we leave open in our lives when we move the Lord out in an effort to fulfill our own will is inevitably going to be filled with evil. There is right and there is wrong, there is not middle ground. Right leads to blessings and wrong always leads to consequences. What is of the Lord and commanded by the Lord is right, all else is wrong. When you leave the Lord to fulfill any even miniscule desire, you are on your own. You are basically proclaiming that you are your own God. You are what is most important when it comes to whatever that choice pertains to. God can only dwell where He is number one. When we rely solely on ourselves as Joshua did when he made the treaty, things may appear one way, but in fact do nothing but put a kink in the Lord's plan. We have to consult Him for everything. When we consult Him, we have to be prepared to whole-heartedly commit to the answer He gives us. Sometimes our human minds can not be wrapped around a justification as to why the Lord is asking us to do something, but that is because we have our limits in mind. We live inside a box of human possibilities. The things Joshua and his men did when they were committed to following the Lord were astounding! As humans, most of us believe that kind of success to be so far out of the realm of possibility for us that we don't even try. It says over and over again that the cities, their rulers and people were delivered into Joshua's hands. Were Joshua and his men responsible for that; did they cause that to happen? No. That was the Lord, plain and simple. All it took on Joshua's part was complete and utter obedience to what the Lord said to do; no matter how crazy. I mean, seriously, if I had been asked to march around a city for seven days and blow trumpets and expect a wall to crumble, I think I might seek out some professional help and some good medication. It is not something I would ever believe was possible, however, Joshua believed and obeyed and the Lord did the rest. He took what was humanly impossible and made it happen through a body of reverent, obedient men. When the Lord does do something great through us, we can not forget that it was all Him. Joshua continues to say, "The Lord has delivered them into our hands." He doesn't allow his ego to overtake Him. That is why the Lord was able to work through him. He also gained earthly success because to the non-believers, he did what was impossible. We as believers need to know in our heart of hearts and spread the word that nothing is impossible with God leading you.