John 4:43-53 talks about a leader whose sick son caused him to seek Jesus. Upon finding him, he asked Jesus to come to his home to heal his son. But Jesus told the man it was not necessary for him to go to the boy, but if the leader simply believed, then his son would be healed. 50. "Then Jesus told him, 'God back home. Your son will live!' And the man believed Jesus' word and started home." When the father arrived home after a two days journey, he found his son well. He asked what time the fever left and it was the same time that he was talking to Jesus.
I have been in situations where someone was praying for me during a difficult situation only to determine that the person who was praying for me prayed during the exact time I needed it the most. God works this way often. I have also felt the need to pray for someone, only to find out later, they needed that prayer. God is good. The verse that stands out to me is how the man believed Jesus' word.
This applies to me as I read the scriptures, I do believe they are true. In this case, the man believed and was obedient to Jesus by going home and knowing that God did perform the miracle. For me, God will keep his promises. With my job, I know that God will provide the job I want when the timing is his timing. I keep praying and I need to trust that God will hear my prayer. In the meantime, I need to be content with where I am at.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Woman at the Well
John 4 is about the story of the Samaritan woman who was at the well drawing water and Jesus came to get a drink from the well. After a discussion about her life, her messed up sinful life, she discovered that this was the Messiah. Once she discovered it was Jesus, she started asking him about worshipping God. What caught my eye in this lengthy passage was verses 23-24.
23. But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way. 24. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
As I read this section of the passage, I see so many parallelisms. First of all, who are the true worshipers? Isaiah 29:13 "The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." This gives a clear example of who are NOT true worshipers. Sometimes when I go to church and my mind is racing, I will think of this verse because I don't want to be a person whose lips are moving, but whose heart is far from God. I think a true worshiper is is one who worships God when no one is looking. One who worships God all of the time.
I like how the verse talks about worshipping the Father in spirit and in truth. Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life". Jesus is the truth. And the Holy Spirit is the spirit. Worship is connecting our spirit with God's spirit, who lives in those who have accepted Christ as their personal savior. Note, however, when this was written, Jesus was still alive and the spirit of God had not yet descended on mankind. Notice how Jesus says, the time is coming. So I believe he is talking about the time when the Holy Spirit is present in our lives, which became the turning point in salvation and the reason for the death of Christ.
Although some people worship in spirit, they may not be worshipping God. In fact, God made us to worship Him. But if we aren't worshiping the Truth, then we are worshipping something else, by the very nature of how we are made. The spirt and truth have to go together. Verse 24 says because God is spirit, we must worship him in spirit and in truth.
23. But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way. 24. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
As I read this section of the passage, I see so many parallelisms. First of all, who are the true worshipers? Isaiah 29:13 "The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." This gives a clear example of who are NOT true worshipers. Sometimes when I go to church and my mind is racing, I will think of this verse because I don't want to be a person whose lips are moving, but whose heart is far from God. I think a true worshiper is is one who worships God when no one is looking. One who worships God all of the time.
I like how the verse talks about worshipping the Father in spirit and in truth. Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life". Jesus is the truth. And the Holy Spirit is the spirit. Worship is connecting our spirit with God's spirit, who lives in those who have accepted Christ as their personal savior. Note, however, when this was written, Jesus was still alive and the spirit of God had not yet descended on mankind. Notice how Jesus says, the time is coming. So I believe he is talking about the time when the Holy Spirit is present in our lives, which became the turning point in salvation and the reason for the death of Christ.
Although some people worship in spirit, they may not be worshipping God. In fact, God made us to worship Him. But if we aren't worshiping the Truth, then we are worshipping something else, by the very nature of how we are made. The spirt and truth have to go together. Verse 24 says because God is spirit, we must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
John the Baptist
John 3:27-30
John replied, "God in heaven appoints each person's work. You yourselves know how plainly I told you that I am not the Messiah. I am here to prepare the way for him, that is all. The bride will go where the bridegroom is. A bridegroom's friend, and I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less."
As I'm impatiently waiting for a job promotion into the field of administration, this verse encourages me because John says it is God who appoints each person's work. It's not man, but God. In the case of this text, he is referring to himself as John the Baptist, the person who comes to tell everyone that Jesus has come. He is explaining to the people that he is not the Messiah, but the one who is to announce the coming of the Messiah. Note that the author of the book is not John the Baptist, but John, one of Jesus's disciples and a close friend of Jesus. However, this verse can apply to me as well. I need to make Jesus greater in my life and live less of me "my own flesh". When I make Jesus greater in my life, things fall into place.
John replied, "God in heaven appoints each person's work. You yourselves know how plainly I told you that I am not the Messiah. I am here to prepare the way for him, that is all. The bride will go where the bridegroom is. A bridegroom's friend, and I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less."
As I'm impatiently waiting for a job promotion into the field of administration, this verse encourages me because John says it is God who appoints each person's work. It's not man, but God. In the case of this text, he is referring to himself as John the Baptist, the person who comes to tell everyone that Jesus has come. He is explaining to the people that he is not the Messiah, but the one who is to announce the coming of the Messiah. Note that the author of the book is not John the Baptist, but John, one of Jesus's disciples and a close friend of Jesus. However, this verse can apply to me as well. I need to make Jesus greater in my life and live less of me "my own flesh". When I make Jesus greater in my life, things fall into place.
Friday, December 21, 2007
John 3:16
I'm reading in the New Living Translation. John 3:16 is probably the first memory verse a child learns. I still remember this verse from my childhood. But quite often people don't look at the entire passage, which can't be ignored. Jesus is speaking to a man named Nicodemus, a well educated Jewish leader, about the topic of salvation. Nicodemus wanted answers. Like many people who doubt salvation, Nicodemus did not understand how a person could be "born again"? But he was talking about a physical birth. Jesus explained that being born again was a spiritual birth.
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (17) God did not send his Son into this world to condemn it, but to save it. (18) There is no judgement awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. (19) Their judgement is based on this fact: The light from heaven come into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their action were evil. (20). They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished. But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants."
If you look at this whole passage, it explains why Nicodemus was not understanding what Jesus was talking about. Jesus is light, he is the light of the world. When we go to heaven, we will not need the sun, because Jesus and God are so bright it is not necessary to have a sun. Note the sun will be replaced by the son. Interesting thought.
Notice how people who do wrong things do them at night. They are too afraid to do their wrong deeds in broad daylight. No, they rob, steal, destroy at night time, when no one is looking. I am not saying that good people stay in the light and never sin. Sometimes Christian stray into the darkness. In fact, we will all be accountable for our sins, but those who love the Lord are not afraid of the light, in fact, they embarrass the light. The light represents life. Those who love the Lord, but stray into the darkness, will return to him and will return to the light.
I like what verse 17 says, God did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. I believe many people who do not know Christ feel that God came to judge them, partly because a small group of Christians feel the need to point out the sins of other people. Although, God is the ultimate judge, Jesus did not come to judge, but to save us. Unfortunately, some Christians like to point their fingers at other people and they want to condemn them. How sad is that? I think of Christians who judge homosexuals and hold signs up and protest. Shame on them for judging them. Jesus came to save people and bring them into the light, not condemn. We should be on knees praying for them that God would reveal the light to them, not condemning them.
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (17) God did not send his Son into this world to condemn it, but to save it. (18) There is no judgement awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. (19) Their judgement is based on this fact: The light from heaven come into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their action were evil. (20). They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished. But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants."
If you look at this whole passage, it explains why Nicodemus was not understanding what Jesus was talking about. Jesus is light, he is the light of the world. When we go to heaven, we will not need the sun, because Jesus and God are so bright it is not necessary to have a sun. Note the sun will be replaced by the son. Interesting thought.
Notice how people who do wrong things do them at night. They are too afraid to do their wrong deeds in broad daylight. No, they rob, steal, destroy at night time, when no one is looking. I am not saying that good people stay in the light and never sin. Sometimes Christian stray into the darkness. In fact, we will all be accountable for our sins, but those who love the Lord are not afraid of the light, in fact, they embarrass the light. The light represents life. Those who love the Lord, but stray into the darkness, will return to him and will return to the light.
I like what verse 17 says, God did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. I believe many people who do not know Christ feel that God came to judge them, partly because a small group of Christians feel the need to point out the sins of other people. Although, God is the ultimate judge, Jesus did not come to judge, but to save us. Unfortunately, some Christians like to point their fingers at other people and they want to condemn them. How sad is that? I think of Christians who judge homosexuals and hold signs up and protest. Shame on them for judging them. Jesus came to save people and bring them into the light, not condemn. We should be on knees praying for them that God would reveal the light to them, not condemning them.
Catching Up
It's not that I've been slacking in my Bible reading as much as simply not having the time to post. I am reading the Bible in order of the books. Some books really grab me while other books just don't bring me in. Out of the the four gospels, Luke, written by a doctor, is difficult for me to connect with. Luke's other book, Acts is also one I struggle reading through. Dr. Luke is very detailed oriented and I'm not a detail person. I'm now reading John and I understand why this book is the one that goes into the hands of more people. I love the way John writes. I feel that I am John and I am in the presence of Jesus in the place of John.
With my two week break, I plan on writing more frequently.
With my two week break, I plan on writing more frequently.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Proverbs 3 for November 3
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
Here we see yet another promise, trust in the Lord, seek his will and he will direct your path. This is a promise. The hardest part is trusting in the Lord. Sometimes we don't understand why circumstances turn out the way they do. But if we trust God, he will tell us what to do. I am a very logical person and many of the choices I make are based on logic. Sometimes, God puts opportunities in my life to force me to trust him. I am thinking of the job situation where I'm trying to land a job in middle management at my school. Sometimes, the choice of who is selected doesn't make sense to me. But I have to trust God will direct my path and close the doors that need to be closed. I don't understand the big picture, but he does. I'm tempted to go back to my old district where I have more credibility than I do at my new district. I know that God will direct my path as I seek him. He will elevate me into the promotion when the timing is right and I have to trust that timing. It's hard when I think the job is perfect for me, but I don't get it. Why? What's wrong with me? But I have to seek God's will in my life. He knows my future and knows why I didn't get the job I wanted. I just have to keep trusting.
Father, God, as I seek a job in administration, provide the opening in your timing. Give me the opportunity to prove my capabilities. God, I seek you in what I do. I seek your will in my life. Please direct my path so that your will is done through me. Not mine, but yours. You know the big picture and you know what is best for me. Amen.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
Here we see yet another promise, trust in the Lord, seek his will and he will direct your path. This is a promise. The hardest part is trusting in the Lord. Sometimes we don't understand why circumstances turn out the way they do. But if we trust God, he will tell us what to do. I am a very logical person and many of the choices I make are based on logic. Sometimes, God puts opportunities in my life to force me to trust him. I am thinking of the job situation where I'm trying to land a job in middle management at my school. Sometimes, the choice of who is selected doesn't make sense to me. But I have to trust God will direct my path and close the doors that need to be closed. I don't understand the big picture, but he does. I'm tempted to go back to my old district where I have more credibility than I do at my new district. I know that God will direct my path as I seek him. He will elevate me into the promotion when the timing is right and I have to trust that timing. It's hard when I think the job is perfect for me, but I don't get it. Why? What's wrong with me? But I have to seek God's will in my life. He knows my future and knows why I didn't get the job I wanted. I just have to keep trusting.
Father, God, as I seek a job in administration, provide the opening in your timing. Give me the opportunity to prove my capabilities. God, I seek you in what I do. I seek your will in my life. Please direct my path so that your will is done through me. Not mine, but yours. You know the big picture and you know what is best for me. Amen.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Psalms 37, The Steps of the Godly
23. The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
24 Though they stumble, they will not fall,
for the Lord hold them by the hand.
Verses 10-22 talk about the wicked and what will happen to them. Then King David talks again about the godly. My theme for this blog is Drawing Close to God and therefore, skimmed to this verse because this verse describes our relationship with God.
I am trying to move into a job promotion in the education world. It is a very political world and I am not one who plays the political games very well. As I journey through my life, I see how God has directed my paths whenever I have come to a crossroad. One time, I wanted to move to another school, but I couldn't get the interviews I wanted. Looking back, I see how God closed that door for me because the year I ended up staying, was the most gratifying year I have ever had in education and was nominated for Teacher of the Year. Although I didn't get T.O.Y., the fact that I was honored for the work I had accomplished would have never happened if I left that school when I wanted to. Instead, God allowed me to stay and become the EETT grant coach for the math teachers, which meant I was to train the teachers on how to use the new technology in the classroom. It was an exciting year. Now that I have moved to the new school, I'm having to start over a little. It's hard to start over, especially coming off of my best year ever.
Looking at this verse, I am reminded that it is God who will direct my path. Even though I am discouraged about the jobs I have interviewed for and did not get, I can read this and know God is directing me where HE wants me to go. I have to trust him enough to know where that might be.
I like the part that says, "He delights in every detail of their lives." Wow. He "delights" in me. I had to look up the word delights. biblecrosswalk.com is a great place to find this kind of information. According to this site, delights means 1. to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with. Basically this means that God takes pleasure in me, has the desire to know me, wants to be pleased with my life. That is humbling to me as sometimes my life isn't that great. It sure makes me want to be a better person so God will want to be near me.
The best part of this verse is 24 because I know that when I mess up and stumble, God holds my hand. When I go off of God's path and got hurt or stuck, he cared about that and held my hand and brought me to where I'm supposed to be. I know that God doesn't expect perfection, but I certainly want to please him, which helps me to stay on his path. Don't get me wrong, I have strayed from the road God wants me on and gone done a path that was full of thistles and thorns and potholes. However, God didn't let me stay there long. I stumbled big time, but I got up and came back to where God wanted me.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
24 Though they stumble, they will not fall,
for the Lord hold them by the hand.
Verses 10-22 talk about the wicked and what will happen to them. Then King David talks again about the godly. My theme for this blog is Drawing Close to God and therefore, skimmed to this verse because this verse describes our relationship with God.
I am trying to move into a job promotion in the education world. It is a very political world and I am not one who plays the political games very well. As I journey through my life, I see how God has directed my paths whenever I have come to a crossroad. One time, I wanted to move to another school, but I couldn't get the interviews I wanted. Looking back, I see how God closed that door for me because the year I ended up staying, was the most gratifying year I have ever had in education and was nominated for Teacher of the Year. Although I didn't get T.O.Y., the fact that I was honored for the work I had accomplished would have never happened if I left that school when I wanted to. Instead, God allowed me to stay and become the EETT grant coach for the math teachers, which meant I was to train the teachers on how to use the new technology in the classroom. It was an exciting year. Now that I have moved to the new school, I'm having to start over a little. It's hard to start over, especially coming off of my best year ever.
Looking at this verse, I am reminded that it is God who will direct my path. Even though I am discouraged about the jobs I have interviewed for and did not get, I can read this and know God is directing me where HE wants me to go. I have to trust him enough to know where that might be.
I like the part that says, "He delights in every detail of their lives." Wow. He "delights" in me. I had to look up the word delights. biblecrosswalk.com is a great place to find this kind of information. According to this site, delights means 1. to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with. Basically this means that God takes pleasure in me, has the desire to know me, wants to be pleased with my life. That is humbling to me as sometimes my life isn't that great. It sure makes me want to be a better person so God will want to be near me.
The best part of this verse is 24 because I know that when I mess up and stumble, God holds my hand. When I go off of God's path and got hurt or stuck, he cared about that and held my hand and brought me to where I'm supposed to be. I know that God doesn't expect perfection, but I certainly want to please him, which helps me to stay on his path. Don't get me wrong, I have strayed from the road God wants me on and gone done a path that was full of thistles and thorns and potholes. However, God didn't let me stay there long. I stumbled big time, but I got up and came back to where God wanted me.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Psalms 37, Stop Your Anger
8. Stop your anger! Turn from your rage!
Do not envy others, it only leads to harm.
9. For the wicked will be destroyed,
but those who trust in the Lord will posses the land.
Sometimes I get angry at those who wrong others. Ok, often I get angry, especially, when I fall victim to someone who is just plain rude. It's funny because it seems like this world is getting worse and worse. But nothing is new. The same wickedness found in people today, existed back then. I have to keep reminding myself that God will deal with these people. It would be nice if he zapped them right then and there, but that is not the way God works.
Anger is an issue that I'm dealing with. I will admit, I do have a problem with anger. Mostly because other people do stupid things. So why do I react to others? What kind of control am I giving the person who causes me to be angry?
Verse 9 holds two promises. First, the wicked will be destroyed. But it's not my job to put them in their place. Second, those who trust in the Lord will posses the land. Even when life seems unfair and the wicked get their way, in the end, justice will be served.
For me, I need to worry only about myself and my salvation and not anyone else. I can pray for other people, but It is not me who saves them. It's between them and God. As I focus on myself and being obedient, then God will bless me. Through his blessing on my life, He will be glorified.
Do not envy others, it only leads to harm.
9. For the wicked will be destroyed,
but those who trust in the Lord will posses the land.
Sometimes I get angry at those who wrong others. Ok, often I get angry, especially, when I fall victim to someone who is just plain rude. It's funny because it seems like this world is getting worse and worse. But nothing is new. The same wickedness found in people today, existed back then. I have to keep reminding myself that God will deal with these people. It would be nice if he zapped them right then and there, but that is not the way God works.
Anger is an issue that I'm dealing with. I will admit, I do have a problem with anger. Mostly because other people do stupid things. So why do I react to others? What kind of control am I giving the person who causes me to be angry?
Verse 9 holds two promises. First, the wicked will be destroyed. But it's not my job to put them in their place. Second, those who trust in the Lord will posses the land. Even when life seems unfair and the wicked get their way, in the end, justice will be served.
For me, I need to worry only about myself and my salvation and not anyone else. I can pray for other people, but It is not me who saves them. It's between them and God. As I focus on myself and being obedient, then God will bless me. Through his blessing on my life, He will be glorified.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Psalms 37: Commit Everything to the Lord
I need this today. I'm feeling drained and weary. I didn't sleep well, which doesn't help matters.
Psalms 37:5 says,
5. Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
6. He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn,
and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
God is good. My plate is full, but I need to commit everything I do to the Lord. I need to trust him, and he will help me through my life situations. Here is another promise: Once again, I must act by trusting him, THEN he will help me. See, we feel the need to hold on and try to tackle our problems on our own. But the promise here is that God will help us after we commit them to him. It's so simple, yet we miss it.
7. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.
Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
As I write this, I listen to a song call In Your Presence by Jason Upton. I highly recommend downloading this song. Anyhow, it's so calming.
Be still in the presence of the Lord. Is this hard to do in our crazy society. I am often going so fast, I don't know which way is up. I spend time praying to God, but how often am I still in his presence? How often do I just sit and listen to the still small voice of my God? And to wait patiently for his words. I am wanting to pursue a facilitator job, but have not been able to get anything, even after interviewing many times. I seem to interview in the top ranks, but never am the top candidate. In this case, second place doesn't mean anything. I think sometimes when we don't wait, we move on in our lives and miss what God has for us. There is the part about evil people again. See, there it is. We are not patient so we move on, frustrated, and our eyes go off of God onto the evil people who seem to prosper and we miss out on what God has for us.
God, help me to wait patiently in your presence. Help me to hear your voice in my life. Forgive me for being so busy. I commit everything I do to you. I trust you, Father, and I ask for your help today and everyday this week. Amen
Psalms 37:5 says,
5. Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
6. He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn,
and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
God is good. My plate is full, but I need to commit everything I do to the Lord. I need to trust him, and he will help me through my life situations. Here is another promise: Once again, I must act by trusting him, THEN he will help me. See, we feel the need to hold on and try to tackle our problems on our own. But the promise here is that God will help us after we commit them to him. It's so simple, yet we miss it.
7. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.
Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
As I write this, I listen to a song call In Your Presence by Jason Upton. I highly recommend downloading this song. Anyhow, it's so calming.
Be still in the presence of the Lord. Is this hard to do in our crazy society. I am often going so fast, I don't know which way is up. I spend time praying to God, but how often am I still in his presence? How often do I just sit and listen to the still small voice of my God? And to wait patiently for his words. I am wanting to pursue a facilitator job, but have not been able to get anything, even after interviewing many times. I seem to interview in the top ranks, but never am the top candidate. In this case, second place doesn't mean anything. I think sometimes when we don't wait, we move on in our lives and miss what God has for us. There is the part about evil people again. See, there it is. We are not patient so we move on, frustrated, and our eyes go off of God onto the evil people who seem to prosper and we miss out on what God has for us.
God, help me to wait patiently in your presence. Help me to hear your voice in my life. Forgive me for being so busy. I commit everything I do to you. I trust you, Father, and I ask for your help today and everyday this week. Amen
Monday, October 22, 2007
Psalms 37: Don't Worry, but Trust in the Lord
From the New Living Translation:
1. Don't worry about the wicked.
Don't envy those who do wrong.
2. For like grass, they soon fade away,
Like springtime flowers, they soon wither.
Have you ever been wronged by someone? Do you know someone who is not a Christian who seems to have it made while you struggle through life? I find this verse comforting, especially when I have been wronged by a non-Christian. It seems like sometimes, life is unfair. But this verse reminds me that they will fade away. Time is but a moment to God. Like a spring time flower, the wicked or non-Christian will fade away. His life is but a season in the perspective of time.
3. Trust in the Lord and do good,
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
4. Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart's desires.
If we stop at verse two, we don't find his promise. David tells us that we should trust in the Lord and do good. Don't worry about those who are wicked. There is promise when we do good and trust in God. The promise is that I will live safely in the land and prosper, when I trust in him and am obedient to him by doing what is right. Don't worry about those who seem to get away with the wicked things they do in their lives. Instead, take delight in the Lord. Spend time with him and find your comfort in him. Once again, we have another promise, that is, God will give you your heart's desire, when we delight in him. When I delight in what God want me to do, my hearts desire changes to what God wants for me. When I am worried about the wicked, I miss out on what God wants for me. I miss on on his blessing in my life.
1. Don't worry about the wicked.
Don't envy those who do wrong.
2. For like grass, they soon fade away,
Like springtime flowers, they soon wither.
Have you ever been wronged by someone? Do you know someone who is not a Christian who seems to have it made while you struggle through life? I find this verse comforting, especially when I have been wronged by a non-Christian. It seems like sometimes, life is unfair. But this verse reminds me that they will fade away. Time is but a moment to God. Like a spring time flower, the wicked or non-Christian will fade away. His life is but a season in the perspective of time.
3. Trust in the Lord and do good,
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
4. Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart's desires.
If we stop at verse two, we don't find his promise. David tells us that we should trust in the Lord and do good. Don't worry about those who are wicked. There is promise when we do good and trust in God. The promise is that I will live safely in the land and prosper, when I trust in him and am obedient to him by doing what is right. Don't worry about those who seem to get away with the wicked things they do in their lives. Instead, take delight in the Lord. Spend time with him and find your comfort in him. Once again, we have another promise, that is, God will give you your heart's desire, when we delight in him. When I delight in what God want me to do, my hearts desire changes to what God wants for me. When I am worried about the wicked, I miss out on what God wants for me. I miss on on his blessing in my life.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Draw Close to God, part 2
Another promise is revealed in James 4. Starting at verse 9 - 10, it says, "Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor."
We live in an age where everyone blames everyone else for the bad things that happen to us and have neglected to take responsibility for our own actions. How sad is that? We are constantly pointing the finger at someone else instead of owning up to our own sin. James, who was said to be the brother of Jesus, speaks so clearly on owning up to our wrong behavior. Instead of laughing because we got away with it, we should be sad and in deep grief.
I know when I had a difficult time in my life, I became so numb to my pain that I didn't feel the Holy Spirit grieving my heart because of the wrong things I had done. I didn't blame anyone else, but I became numb. I wasn't laughing and joyful, but I was numb. Since then, I have shed many tears for the wrong things.
I look at my daughter, Emily, who is so tender to the Lord. When she blows it, it is only hours before she busts into tears and comes to apologize to me for her attitude. She is an example of what this scripture is talking about.
Once again, the promise comes after our obedience. When we are willing to take responsibility for our sins, and bow down before Him, the promise is that "He will lift you up and give you honor."
We live in an age where everyone blames everyone else for the bad things that happen to us and have neglected to take responsibility for our own actions. How sad is that? We are constantly pointing the finger at someone else instead of owning up to our own sin. James, who was said to be the brother of Jesus, speaks so clearly on owning up to our wrong behavior. Instead of laughing because we got away with it, we should be sad and in deep grief.
I know when I had a difficult time in my life, I became so numb to my pain that I didn't feel the Holy Spirit grieving my heart because of the wrong things I had done. I didn't blame anyone else, but I became numb. I wasn't laughing and joyful, but I was numb. Since then, I have shed many tears for the wrong things.
I look at my daughter, Emily, who is so tender to the Lord. When she blows it, it is only hours before she busts into tears and comes to apologize to me for her attitude. She is an example of what this scripture is talking about.
Once again, the promise comes after our obedience. When we are willing to take responsibility for our sins, and bow down before Him, the promise is that "He will lift you up and give you honor."
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Draw Close to God
I picked this name because my name, Michelle, means Woman of God. I found another meaning of my name, which means close to God.
James 4:8 says, "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you." (New Living Translation).
What I like about this verse is that it is a promise. Notice the action first must come from you. Sometimes we expect God just to hang out. But it says here that we need to draw close to him first, then he will draw near to us. We miss that sometimes. It's like a friend. When I invest time in my friendship and call them and want to be with them, hopefully, they will want to be near me and will reciprocate the actions. However, unlike our friendships, who may fail us or let us down, God is not like that. The promise here is that he will draw to close to you.
But notice the verses prior to this promise. It says to "Humble" ourselves. Before we can enter into God's presence, we must humble ourselves. What that means to me is to come before God genuine and transparent. The next verse says to resist the Devil and He will flee from you. I know this verse all too well. But once again, before we can draw close to God, we must resist the Devil's temptations in our lives. If we are living in sin, God cannot draw near to us. Therefore, the second step is to confess our sins and resist what Satan puts before us. Finally, as we take action to draw near to Him, then he will draw near to us.
James 4:8 says, "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you." (New Living Translation).
What I like about this verse is that it is a promise. Notice the action first must come from you. Sometimes we expect God just to hang out. But it says here that we need to draw close to him first, then he will draw near to us. We miss that sometimes. It's like a friend. When I invest time in my friendship and call them and want to be with them, hopefully, they will want to be near me and will reciprocate the actions. However, unlike our friendships, who may fail us or let us down, God is not like that. The promise here is that he will draw to close to you.
But notice the verses prior to this promise. It says to "Humble" ourselves. Before we can enter into God's presence, we must humble ourselves. What that means to me is to come before God genuine and transparent. The next verse says to resist the Devil and He will flee from you. I know this verse all too well. But once again, before we can draw close to God, we must resist the Devil's temptations in our lives. If we are living in sin, God cannot draw near to us. Therefore, the second step is to confess our sins and resist what Satan puts before us. Finally, as we take action to draw near to Him, then he will draw near to us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)