Thoughts for the week ending May 11.

Wisdom calls to people as we are told in Proverbs 9:4
So does Folly in verse 16. People are called to, there is a definite choice people have to make. Follow the Lord's wisdom or folly. I've read proverbs multiple times, and this is the first time I noticed this. God is truly remarkable. We are constantly making choices, choices that have consequences that we are responsible for. What voice are we listening too?

Another marvelous thought came to me while I was mowing. I've been trying to get some blueberries started. With gas going out of sight price wise I thought it would be neat to grow some fruit, maybe some fruit trees. Well the ones I planted last year have died, and I got a new one and put it out this year. When I mowed the other day I noticed one of its branches had been broken off, about 6-8" long. The thought of the blueberry bushes I have seen in the gorge came to mind. The literally grow out of cracks in rocks, and are very healthy. So I thought of the fall of man, a punishment for not obeying God. Man would labor all the days of his life. Like those plants I realized that our labor will make us stronger, and draw us to God. So the punishment He assigned actually is something that draws us back to Him. Like any good parent that wants the best for their child, God is our parent and He wants the best for us, which may not and probably isn't an easy life. His punishment for our disobedience draws us closer to Him.

I was also tarried on trip back from the in-laws and heard some good preaching. It was about slothful Christians, those that aren't progressing. His final point was a question. Where do you want to go?

My answer to that question, I want to discern God's guidance daily, and obey. I'm currently reading in Exodus and He guided them daily by a cloud, and at night by fire, so we can become in tune to His desires and then its a question of obeying. Hopefully yes.

April 20, 2008
Notes

Let Your words in my mouth be like fire, and these people (Your people) be as wood. Jer 5:15
Listen – search God let Him show you what he will show you.

I've witnessed people glory in what God has done in the past (praise God for it) but not expect Him to act anew.
I've seen people that based on their past -continue to punish themselves.

ISA 43:18-19 Don't dwell on the past- look for new from God everyday.

Israelites wandering in the desert- if God didn't do something miraculous everyday they quickly desired returning to slavery. His past actions weren't enough.

God's passion is for relationship with us
God's desire is that none should perish 2 Pet 3:9 All of us
we have experience in this world- we're used to it we focus on it, our Father wants us to live in His kingdom, and focus on it
Our Father has many children in fact we are all one large family
everyone is your brother or sister.
sibling experiences – fighting, competing for things of this world – immature
wanting the absolute best for siblings – maturity, no competition.
Now apply the mature concept to all people.

Hell is bad, immediate family member do you want to go there? If every person is potentially a brother or sister which of those would you send?

What would make Him speak to a Samaritan woman. In the world we are familiar with the Samaritan women was a woman and a Samaritan (sex and race ordinarily would prevent dealings with such a person)
He considered her as a sister? A sister that will share in the kingdom for eternity.

Cain and Abel- Cain asked the question is he brother's keeper- YES

We should treat everyone as a potential occupant of heaven- a brother or sister. The minute we “decide” that a person won't “make it” to heaven we are judging them.
We need to realize also that other people are at different points along the path in their walk with God.
Paul held coats while they stoned Stephen, what “fruit” was he showing that day?

ISA 58 we should check our motives - do we serve God for our benefit? or for the benefit
of others?

Something else that I heard-
flattery is saying to someone's face what you wouldn't say behind their back.
Gossip is saying something behind someone's back that you wouldn't say to their face.
When we pray for others, it should be exactly what we would say in their presence.
Don't try to involve God in either.

God in our individual lives

(read the slide)

He reached out to people in a way they could understand
Jeremiah had to learn to discern, Abraham, everyone- and God wants to speak to you.
A process and everyone of us will be at different points
everyone of us will respond to God in different ways
God is big enough to know where you are and meet you there
He does not need to reach you through another person.

Word listeners- regular habitual Bible reading, learning
to walk with the Father (Prov 22:17). Read where He leads you, share what He shows you, and see Him working in the lives of other brothers and sisters. An amazing incredible tapestry of interaction of a father with His children. Sharing what God is showing you NOW!

Now what? God is in control, things will get better and better for His people. They will come to know Him better. Jesus said it is finished, and yet we don't act like it is.

Expect God to do great things for you. He is that perfect father that the rest of us fathers don't measure up to – not even close.
Every day/ every week. Think of someone hard to pray for and pray for them...In praying for them you will probably have to pray about your own attitude. Our Father wants to give us wonderful things, but like any father He is waiting for us to get ready.

Powerpoint slides

WOW ­great messages

God in my past
­looking back can clearly see His hand Praise His name
­dwelling on past? –
become complacent
satisfied ­not expectant
not accept God (beat ourselves up over our past)
Israelites wandering in Sinai

our walk with God­
He desires relationship ­with everyone
He wants us to live out His kingdom
­not this world
We are to be a family­ His family
Ever consider others (all others) as your
brothers and sisters? Mark 3:35 ­Jesus
followers are His family.
immature siblings
mature siblings

Samaritan woman?
This world­ a woman, a Samaritan
God’s kingdom­ a sister­ no wonder
He spoke to her.
Cain and Abel ­”brother’s keeper” a
question the entire Bible is the answer
to. ­YES

Consider everyone a brother or sister! Treat
them as a co­occupant of heaven.
No fruit?­ Paul
not as spiritual?
­we don’t know other’s hearts
­we don't know where they are in their walk
Isa 58 ­our motives for serving God
Intercessory prayer­ regular?
flattery? gossip?
God wants honesty before Him.

Now about our personal relationship with our Father.
He wants to talk to you, directly, personally.
He knows how to reach you, but He wants you to want
to be reached.
He wants to give you good things­ like all fathers want
for their children.
He has the guidance you want­ and search for.
The answer for you that is best ­which incidentally
may be different from a past answer, or someone
else's.

Are you willing? Willing to learn to discern His
voice?
Like Jeremiah, Abraham, Samuel,...
­ He’ll work with you­ He wants
that.
Word listeners­ regular reading where your
Father leads you, and sharing with your family
members.

Future – God wants good things for His family. What
He will do in the future for His children will be more
marvelous than what we've seen in the past.
Available now­ Jesus said “it is finished” –we have right
relationship through Him.
Imagine – God's kingdom
people are valued not money
no homeless or hungry or disease/suffering
a family that wants the best for each other
Praise God

In Job he waits seven days, then wishes he wasn't born. Is that the definition of depression? Have you ever been there? His friends say that bad things happen to people that are wicked. In reading Job multiple times it finally occured to me that God doesn't run around waiting for us to falter so He can punish us. It is presumptuous for us to think that. God will punish those that ultimately choose not to follow Him when it is time. More likely our choosing not to follow the path outlined by God makes bad things happen in our lives. God doesn't have to punish us, when we go contrary to His design of the world or give into our selfish nature -bad things happen.

God rather is carrying out His plan for this world. While He is involved in all the details of our lives, and does take interest in us, His main focus is not punishing us for sin, but rather calling us to righteousness. Calling us to follow Him. Working with us to educate us and grow in knowledge. It is a timed process.

Another thing that has come to me recently and a reason people drop into depression is avoiding others. Maybe decisions were made that are unsettling and facing them gets more unpleasant, so depression happens. While I believe God uses depression to draw us to Him, He is the last and ultimately the only place to go. In heaven God wants us to get along with everyone, including those we may try and avoid now. What if they are also in heaven? Are you going to avoid them then? If you are depressed and want to get away from people and lets say you die (God allows you to come home). Later those people will also come home and join you. My point is avoiding people and problems is pointless. Most problems when God is the focus of attention go away, and He certainly can solve any problem we have.

I have to give a small sermon as a church lay speaker the end of this April, well I agreed to. The topic?? Well I have had a week of thoughts and have started putting them together. Its hard to limit these thoughts to 10 minutes, my limit. Going last it will be important that I'm brief.

I think Job's friends have good points, although they seem to be this world focused. They talk about the wicked being punished because of their ways. Of not leaving a legacy. That is so this world focused, and not God's world. Like this is it, the end. One of the things I have often wondered about is why aren't Job's friends right. Why doesn't God punish the wicked (or people who perform wicked acts) as they transgress? God doesn't run around waiting for us to fail so he can punish that I have already said. Maybe God knows there is hope for the transgressor. Well certainly that is something God does know. So the people who perform wicked acts still have hope, maybe they are doing these things out of ignorance. Does that mean society should not punish them? certainly not, but there is hope for their soul. This means that God is interested in relationship with everyone as opposed to making the world right. He can certainly make things fair, maybe not in this life but I would definitely trust Him and His ability.

We like Job's friends are quick to make judgments based on circumstances.

In my reading of Isaiah, one of the references refers to Jesus who delighted in the fear of the Lord. His fear of the Lord kept Him focused on His mission. Its too easy for us to focus on the things of this world or what we selfishly want and not the things of God. We need the fear or respect of God to keep us focused on what He wants us to do. That fear of the Lord is something I seemed to miss over the last few years, and finally I saw it (or discovered it and it is staying with me). I had read that passage seven or eight times over the years. It goes to show that some things need to be thought about for a while to make us receptive to an answer. Growth is definitely a process.

I hope to update the blog once a week with two goals: first is to review what has spoken to me in the Bible, second is to outline what I'm planning to read.

So what spoke to me? Prov 18:1 He who separates himself seeks his own desires. He quarrels against all sound wisdom. A couple things came to mind, the first is that being alone can be negative. It might mean the person is hiding something- now be assured you cannot hide anything from God. After thinking about it, the proverb might have a good connotation. Being alone might mean you desire different surroundings - for instance not watching too much TV, or wanting to be alone with God.

Prov 18:20 From the fruit of man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied. Another of many reminders in the Bible that our words mean more than we can think. The saying "sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me" is just plain wrong. Speak what you want to happen, not what you think will happen or fear will happen and watch God work.

Another Proverb 19:11 Its to a man's glory to overlook a transgression. How hard is that? Overlooking transgressions is something we have to definitely work at, it takes practice, and God's help definitely. Another one says keep away from strife, it is an honor for a man. I'm trying to read the chapter in proverbs that corresponds to the day's date.

I'm also reading in Isaiah and Genesis (about to be Job). In Isaiah we are encouraged to cease doing evil, cease means stop, a definite change or alteration in our normal activity. Right after that it admonishes us to learn to do good. Learning is a process, and journey, and it is something that isn't necessarily instant. After reading Revelation to end last year Isa 2:1-5 is a millennium reference. In Isa 5 it says that "My people go into exile for lack of knowledge" as a child of God we are God's people, and for a lack of knowledge we become separated (or exiled) from God. Ignorance is easy, and so is getting angry at God when things don't go the way we plan or want. Getting into the Bible and putting God in a significant place in our lives is work. It takes perseverance and committment. There is also a Proverb that says we should apply our mind to knowledge of God. Furthermore God will teach us everyday so we will trust Him. Learning something new everyday is scripture (Prov 22:19)

Out of my Genesis reading I read about Cain and Abel. Cain brought an offering from his fruit of the ground. Abel brought firstlings of his flock. Are we like Cain, we give God what's left or what is easy, or are we like Abel and put God first. Are we like Cain and is our countenance low because God isn't pleased with our leftovers, or our we mad because we feel we have to give something to God and we feel cheated. Thinking on those things and thinking things like that will lead us into sin.

Noah was in the ark seven days at the direction of God before the rain started. The Lord also closed the door to the ark after all the people and animals he had chosen that responded to His call were there. Noah stayed on the ark until God told him the earth was prepared for him.

The intent of man's heart is evil from youth, therefore we must seek God's heart. What we want is evil in some way. Everything we want is evil in some way, only that which aligns with God's heart is good (only God is good).

Next week I will continue the proverbs, Isaiah 10 on and Job 1 on. The first paragraph of Job is a wonderful challenge. Job was blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil. Oh that we could all be that.

I had a thought the other night , and I want to implement it. I attend a group called Word Listeners on Sunday nights. So I thought I would would post my weekly thoughts that I share with the group. I will also post my NT thoughts in its entirety, even though I read and reread and edit them. I don't forsee any major changes. I'll link it to my main page in pdf format.

I've been thinking a lot about relationships lately. We are supposed to treat others like our brothers and sisters. We should want the best for them and make sacrifices focused on their good rather than our own. Sure there are people who will try to selfishly take advantage of actions along those lines. Still we are to persevere. I don't believe that means becoming a doormat. Sometimes someone's best interest may result in non-action on our parts, but maybe rather exhortation. It is so hard to know what is best for others. We certainly can see characteristics in others that we would like to see. These characteristics may even be like the Bible based (fruit of the spirit)- none of those are bad, and they are something to strive for.

Along the lines of the above it is easy to lose sight of something very important. The person's spirit or soul. Too often we want to measure a person by the world's standard for success. Are they fit? are they financially secure, do they have enough food? Having these things and sharing with those who don't have them is important, it is a sign of truly caring about their interests, truly treating them like a sister or brother. But it is easy to get caught up in a worldly standard, and lose sight of the person's spirit.

For instance somebody does something you find annoying, what is your response. Talk about them behind their back? Furthermore this action you realize is something they have no interest in changing, now what? You avoid the situation, and being a victim yet again. That may be the proper response but in talking about them behind their back, and avoiding them are you treating them like a brother or sister? If your brother or sister did or does something annoying would you tell them? Would you talk about them behind their back? You may avoid them depending on age, if you can, but if your circumstances are such that avoidance is not possible, you would probably let that person know over and over.

Would their refusal to change hurt you? Yet they would be your brother or sister, and you would want success for them. Would your actions toward a natural brother or sister (even ones that hurt you) be those that hold out hope that they would stop hurting you? Would they be actions that would show a desire for that person's success even if it meant hurting your own chances? It would be deeply rooted, and We need to consider all people like that.

Is it easy? Not a bit. The world seems to be about competition. Being a "have" and not a "have not". Cars, homes, spouses, perfect kids, everyone is fit, wonderful jobs that don't require much effort and allow plenty of time to travel. These selfish things are all individual focused and not brother focused. There are also those with great ideas to provide healthcare to those without, homes for the homeless, but these people and their plans usually require a mandate that others do something. They don't work within their circle of influence, they want to tell you what to do. What worked better as a child - sharing with a sibling when you came to the conclusion that they deserved some fun, or having a parent make you share "because it was the right thing to do". You see its individual, and it comes from within. Otherwise it causes more relational stress.

Focus on the people's spirit, do what you can with your own resources to raise them, don't expect others to do anything. If we all lived forever, and had to deal with each other forever, what changes would you make?

I've now commented on the entire new testament. Every chapter. It will be something to read again as I re-read the Bible. God will show me new things this year I'm sure. Additionally finishing up in revelation was wonderfully enlightening. That book talks about the big picture of the end. The details of the end, and the happenings both on heaven and earth. Maybe it was God's time to show me, I'm wonderfully at peace now with the future. He holds it and He is in control.

This year I'm going back to NASB for the reading version. I've already mostly finished Proverbs. I may try to read them daily. The chapter that corresponds to the date. Who knows.

Well I found the oldest entry not put on the blog and put it here tonight. It is very thought provoking. I don't believe we can spend enough time with God, or fellow believers. Its also amazing the awareness I'm gainig of His presence in my life. I hope that continues and grows,because I'm not there yet.

Mark 8 This Chapter is Mark's version of what I have already discussed to some extent. I did find one very thought provoking passage in verse 2. Jesus felt compassion for the people following Him BECAUSE they remained with Him three days. In our time we feel Godly if we manage to spend 3 hours with Jesus in the course of a week. Those people gave up job responsibilities, family (or brought their families with them), agricultural duties to spend three days with Jesus. What would happen to each of us if we spent three days with Jesus? Would our priorities change? If we listed our "needs" before and after would they change? How so. It would be a neat experience.
The striving to save our lives when Jesus says we should lose our lives in Him. Its all about our focus, is our focus on ourselves and our needs, or is it on others like Jesus' focus is?