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.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
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.
Monday, February 18, 2008
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?
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?
Saturday, February 16, 2008
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?
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?
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
I can't believe its been a week. Its so easy to get caught up in all the other responsibilities of life and slide communication to the side. But it ought not be that way, I may make the blog login my home page, as a reminder. Hope everyone has been doing well. My notes on the New Testament are nearly complete, I just lack the end of Revelation. That is somewhat problematic, because I was was studying it as part of a class -verse by verse, and that ended. So I like my first 9 chapters of notes but I need a resource for the rest of it. Oh well when done I hope to post it so that it might benefit someone.
Good teaching today from the Lord, and from the Bible as if that is surprising. So good I'm posting todays entry versus one I wrote a while back. I finally "saw" about imitating, and its a brief passage in 3 John. As I considered it I thought about my experiences as a dad. After writing and preparing it for the blog, I thought of the applications for teaching in the classroom. I need to get students to imitate success in a subject matter, and then their feelings and experience will grow.
Imitate good is promoted, and good is what should be imitated. Children pick up on the imitation and don't distinguish between good and bad. But why imitate? Thats what you do when the feeling of willingness to do something isn't there, coupled with the lack of experience, knowledge, or know how. You imitate actions (it is also a step of faith - do without being certain of the outcome) and the knowledge and feeling will come. The outcome will be something you find out as well.
3 John More good news of children walking in the truth, stepping out in faith, and deserving to be supported, and encouraged. Putting God first. Not all people do that, they want the spot light, be aware and avoid, gently correct, love them.
Imitate good – the feeling may not be there (yet), the knowledge of how to do it may not be there (yet). Aren't those the two things that prevent us humans from action? Either we don't “feel like it” or we don't have the confidence we can succeed. So we don't. Its also a step of faith- imitation means acting without knowledge of an outcome. This is especially important to tell children and an area in which I have shortcomings God please make up for them. Children certainly often lack the confidence, and may not feel like it. Looking back my kids had the feelings of wanting to try things when they were young, and I hindered them due to their lack of experience. As they got older and in a condition I thought “better prepared”, they no longer had an interest or a feeling to do it so they didn't. Had I studied the Bible earlier - I might have known this sooner and been a better father- more empowering.
Good teaching today from the Lord, and from the Bible as if that is surprising. So good I'm posting todays entry versus one I wrote a while back. I finally "saw" about imitating, and its a brief passage in 3 John. As I considered it I thought about my experiences as a dad. After writing and preparing it for the blog, I thought of the applications for teaching in the classroom. I need to get students to imitate success in a subject matter, and then their feelings and experience will grow.
Imitate good is promoted, and good is what should be imitated. Children pick up on the imitation and don't distinguish between good and bad. But why imitate? Thats what you do when the feeling of willingness to do something isn't there, coupled with the lack of experience, knowledge, or know how. You imitate actions (it is also a step of faith - do without being certain of the outcome) and the knowledge and feeling will come. The outcome will be something you find out as well.
3 John More good news of children walking in the truth, stepping out in faith, and deserving to be supported, and encouraged. Putting God first. Not all people do that, they want the spot light, be aware and avoid, gently correct, love them.
Imitate good – the feeling may not be there (yet), the knowledge of how to do it may not be there (yet). Aren't those the two things that prevent us humans from action? Either we don't “feel like it” or we don't have the confidence we can succeed. So we don't. Its also a step of faith- imitation means acting without knowledge of an outcome. This is especially important to tell children and an area in which I have shortcomings God please make up for them. Children certainly often lack the confidence, and may not feel like it. Looking back my kids had the feelings of wanting to try things when they were young, and I hindered them due to their lack of experience. As they got older and in a condition I thought “better prepared”, they no longer had an interest or a feeling to do it so they didn't. Had I studied the Bible earlier - I might have known this sooner and been a better father- more empowering.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Well I didn't get this posted yesterday. I took a rest, and I had some other things going on. Today is good I hope everyone will be blessed.
Matthew 16 Why does Jesus say "an evil an adulterous generation seeks after a sign"? I have on many occasions asked God for a sign, some evidence as proof when doubt comes. In addition I've promised things for that sign. Whether we see God act or not we have to have faith that He is and we have to act on that faith. In my life I've seen miracles, I've felt God's guidance, His direction in my life. Still I ask for Him to do something from time to time, I want to test Him like Gideon.
Later in the chapter Jesus tells Peter he is the rock on which He will build His Church. Jesus knows that Peter will deny Him after this but He is looking past that to what Peter is. Jesus knew Peter as that rock, when we get to heaven we'll be known as we're known. How does God see us individually. That is something we should reflect on from time to time. Are we prone to something that is not Godly. Right after Jesus tells Peter who He is, He tells them He must be given over to wicked men. Peter starts to rebuke the Lord, and the Lord says "get behind Me, satan!" This rock on which He will build His Church is influenced by satan, or as the Lord says Peter was setting his sights on man's interest and not the Lord's.
Jesus reiterates that following Him means sacrifice. Denial of self, then He asks a question. What good is it for man to gain the whole world if he loses his soul? Our trials and problems in this world, the sacrifices we make (working long hours) who are we doing that for? Ourselves for this world is probably the most accurate answer in most cases. My point is that most people sacrifice time, resources, something of value to them (or potential value) in order to get something they want. When we should be sacrificing and denying ourselves for Jesus, we wind up sacrificing and denying ourselves for the world (or things in the world). His question illustrates the potential of man and the reality that people are willing to sacrifice to a great extent for what they think is gain.
Matthew 16 Why does Jesus say "an evil an adulterous generation seeks after a sign"? I have on many occasions asked God for a sign, some evidence as proof when doubt comes. In addition I've promised things for that sign. Whether we see God act or not we have to have faith that He is and we have to act on that faith. In my life I've seen miracles, I've felt God's guidance, His direction in my life. Still I ask for Him to do something from time to time, I want to test Him like Gideon.
Later in the chapter Jesus tells Peter he is the rock on which He will build His Church. Jesus knows that Peter will deny Him after this but He is looking past that to what Peter is. Jesus knew Peter as that rock, when we get to heaven we'll be known as we're known. How does God see us individually. That is something we should reflect on from time to time. Are we prone to something that is not Godly. Right after Jesus tells Peter who He is, He tells them He must be given over to wicked men. Peter starts to rebuke the Lord, and the Lord says "get behind Me, satan!" This rock on which He will build His Church is influenced by satan, or as the Lord says Peter was setting his sights on man's interest and not the Lord's.
Jesus reiterates that following Him means sacrifice. Denial of self, then He asks a question. What good is it for man to gain the whole world if he loses his soul? Our trials and problems in this world, the sacrifices we make (working long hours) who are we doing that for? Ourselves for this world is probably the most accurate answer in most cases. My point is that most people sacrifice time, resources, something of value to them (or potential value) in order to get something they want. When we should be sacrificing and denying ourselves for Jesus, we wind up sacrificing and denying ourselves for the world (or things in the world). His question illustrates the potential of man and the reality that people are willing to sacrifice to a great extent for what they think is gain.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Wow what a pleasure to read the below again, and how true. May God bless you the reader.
Mark 7 Things that proceed from a man that defile him, these things represent the true condition of a heart not committed or completely committed to Jesus. These things we will battle our entire lives, but as we learn to walk with God and listen to His voice, His personality and actions start coming out of us, and continue to build. Each of these things should be considered regularly and slowly because there are different degrees of falling into them, and it may represent an area in life you need to earnestly pray about. For instance there is stealing as in robbing a bank, and stealing as in keeping an employer's property as your own. They are both stealing and its something we need to be aware of and confess to God and repent from.
Evil thoughts- wishing others harm or misfortune
fornications
thefts
murders (anger is equated to murder)
adulteries (lustful thoughts is enough to be guilty)
coveting (jobs, cars, houses, etc)
wickedness
deceit (not quite telling the entire truth or telling someone something in a way that may mislead them, this one I'm afraid is quite common in the corporate world.
sensuality
envy
slander (saying negative things about people)
pride
and finally foolishness.
I don't think there is anyone of us who can say they have no troubles in any of these areas. They are probably deceiving themselves. As Jesus comes into our lives and we let Him live through us these normally defiling actions are replaced by the fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22)
love (1 Cor 13 the entire chapter)
joy (not necessarily happiness but more of a general contentment)
peace (doesn't mean avoiding confrontation, but rather anger that is often associated with it)
patience (Job, but an even greater patience is Jesus Himself, He continually gives us chances)
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
self control
I live with a whining dog. As I walk with God I'm struck as to how his relationship with me is a lot like mine with God. We keep him in a pen to keep him from getting hit by a car, poisoned, shot, because when he gets out he doesn't respond to commands. Sometimes God knows its best for us to be kept penned up. The dog whines wanting attention, wanting out, but his needs are met- he has water, food and a warm place to sleep. Is God meeting your needs? just maybe not in the way you think He should? Do you whine to Him? Are there things He knows that you don't? Is thinking we are capable of more than God has given us pride? The dogs whining bothers me because I know whats best for him and I get tired of hearing it, do we do that to God? I've also thought what behavior could the dog practice that would make me want to give him more attention. Obeying my commands is the biggest one, and sometimes we go on long walks in the woods and he has gotten some better when I've given him some freedom. I have to get him back on a leash when we get to the car, and that has gotten easier. One negative is that when he is free he likes to wallow in anything that smells bad, it makes me not want to take him walking and causes me to plan carefully when I do let him off. If God gave us the kind of freedom we want would we get into something that He disdains? Aren't we glad that we can whine to God and yet He continues to love us and forgive us, now that is patient.
Mark 7 Things that proceed from a man that defile him, these things represent the true condition of a heart not committed or completely committed to Jesus. These things we will battle our entire lives, but as we learn to walk with God and listen to His voice, His personality and actions start coming out of us, and continue to build. Each of these things should be considered regularly and slowly because there are different degrees of falling into them, and it may represent an area in life you need to earnestly pray about. For instance there is stealing as in robbing a bank, and stealing as in keeping an employer's property as your own. They are both stealing and its something we need to be aware of and confess to God and repent from.
Evil thoughts- wishing others harm or misfortune
fornications
thefts
murders (anger is equated to murder)
adulteries (lustful thoughts is enough to be guilty)
coveting (jobs, cars, houses, etc)
wickedness
deceit (not quite telling the entire truth or telling someone something in a way that may mislead them, this one I'm afraid is quite common in the corporate world.
sensuality
envy
slander (saying negative things about people)
pride
and finally foolishness.
I don't think there is anyone of us who can say they have no troubles in any of these areas. They are probably deceiving themselves. As Jesus comes into our lives and we let Him live through us these normally defiling actions are replaced by the fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22)
love (1 Cor 13 the entire chapter)
joy (not necessarily happiness but more of a general contentment)
peace (doesn't mean avoiding confrontation, but rather anger that is often associated with it)
patience (Job, but an even greater patience is Jesus Himself, He continually gives us chances)
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
self control
I live with a whining dog. As I walk with God I'm struck as to how his relationship with me is a lot like mine with God. We keep him in a pen to keep him from getting hit by a car, poisoned, shot, because when he gets out he doesn't respond to commands. Sometimes God knows its best for us to be kept penned up. The dog whines wanting attention, wanting out, but his needs are met- he has water, food and a warm place to sleep. Is God meeting your needs? just maybe not in the way you think He should? Do you whine to Him? Are there things He knows that you don't? Is thinking we are capable of more than God has given us pride? The dogs whining bothers me because I know whats best for him and I get tired of hearing it, do we do that to God? I've also thought what behavior could the dog practice that would make me want to give him more attention. Obeying my commands is the biggest one, and sometimes we go on long walks in the woods and he has gotten some better when I've given him some freedom. I have to get him back on a leash when we get to the car, and that has gotten easier. One negative is that when he is free he likes to wallow in anything that smells bad, it makes me not want to take him walking and causes me to plan carefully when I do let him off. If God gave us the kind of freedom we want would we get into something that He disdains? Aren't we glad that we can whine to God and yet He continues to love us and forgive us, now that is patient.
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