The book of Lamentations makes a lot more sense when you read it right after Jeremiah. Considering what had happened to Jerusalem, the siege and the exile to Babylon, it makes total sense to grieve. Most of us are familiar with the "stages of grief" from psychology. Instead of referring to that right now, I am looking solely at what I learned about grieving from what we've read so far in Lamentations. Then we can evaluate the observations as we read the rest of the book and review what we've already read.
There are different points of view expressed in this long poem of grief. It's not so confusing when you read it this way. However, strong feelings of confusion are natural when experiencing grief, especially something so deeply affecting as what Jeremiah is writing about. As we see Jerusalem personified as a grieving widow, and then enter in to her experience and the expression of her grief, we can learn a lot.
There's Jeremiah's personal grief expressed here, too; and sometimes it even seems that God is expressing His own grief through Jeremiah. I came to the conclusion that God grieved as much as anyone for having to put His people through the stuff. If you're a parent, you most likely know how painful it is for parents to do the needed discipline at times. It is obvious that God did not enjoy the destruction and the resulting grief of His people. He's a compassionate God.
So, my first conclusion is this: if you've suffered loss, no matter what type, tell the story and express the grief as thoroughly and honestly as you can (and a creative medium such as journaling or poetry can help you do this). At first, you don't have to think through the feelings, make sense of them, dissect them or judge them (they may seem irrational to you or others). Just get them out in reviewable form.
If we are around someone who is grieving, being able to hear/see, etc. the feelings helps us share the grief with them-- helps us understand. Reading this book, along with some of the Psalms and other people's expressions, can help us understand someone in extreme grief even if we haven't been there ourselves. Being open to sharing our grief expressions with intimate others can open us up to sharing our grief with God, and to experiencing His comfort as well. We understand from Lamentations that God does not hold Himself aloof from our grief, even if we have brought a loss onto ourselves (yes, I have been there).
IMPORTANT: I want to note that we must not apply the discipline reason for loss to someone (even to ourselves, as in the throes of grief, we may become self-condemning) unless it is our own child we ourselves are disciplining. It is up to the Holy Spirit to reveal the "whys" for things happening to people, and He may not always do so. It can be so terribly wounding to people for us to try to interpret their losses for them, even if we are correct-- and we most likely are not. Please refrain from doing so (unless you're the prophet Jeremiah--and remember, he warned them in advance by God's orders).
Second, in the midst of the grieving process, it is paramount to remember what we know about God, review things He's done for us, and praise Him for His goodness and steadfast love. Making ourselves read or listen to the Word is essential in this process. If we have journaled about His work in our lives, this is a good time to go back to it and read it again. We may be feeling really angry at God, and maybe we're blaming Him for stuff. He can handle it, and He is OK with us expressing these thoughts and feelings. But He also wants us to draw away from the feelings and the grief sometimes, and just meditate on Him. Sometimes others can remind us of His love and goodness, and His good plans for us-- this must be done gently and with love. Look how Jeremiah did this so tenderly in the middle of Lamentations. Such a good example!
The third part is a melding process of the first two. The Holy Spirit begins to work in us to compare and contrast our experience and feelings of grief with the realities of God. The more we are able to immerse ourselves in Him and His Word, including fellowship with wise and loving believers, the quicker we are able to integrate what we've experienced and feel with our knowledge of Him and the truth He reveals to us. Slowly, (and it's different for everyone in timing and the way the process looks), things start to clear up. We see where we need to repent, and we are able to do so. We see what God is doing in our life, and we are able to hear and accept His promises for the future. He imparts His peace to us as we hold on in faith to what we believe about Him.
The more solidly we are rooted into the Rock that is God, and the more thoroughly we have allowed His Word to change our thinking, the more equipped we will be to endure hardship, loss, and even disaster, and the more effectively we will be able to work through our grief and help others to do so as well. Even if we find ourselves being disciplined for something, we will be secure in the love and goodness of our Father. Perhaps we will even avoid said discipline by having experienced vicariously the loss and grief, repentance and restoration of another. I believe this is God's hope for us all.
Showing posts with label wisdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wisdom. Show all posts
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
August 6, 2010 God's Two-Part Plan For Establishing His Abiding Glory
I may have said this before, but it's hitting me like waves: Babylonian captivity is all about worship. We go into captivity and confusion because we worship other gods. When we come out, the first thing that happens is that the true worship of God is restored.
The things we're confronted with in captivity are all the things we've worshipped instead of God: What am I trusting in? Who do I fear? What do I desire most of all? Who or what am I molding myself to? Who am I trying to please? What am I filling myself with? Who am I following? How am I getting guidance? What do I think about all the time? What do I crave? Who or what intimidates me? What am I addicted to? What am I patterning my life after? Who or what do I run to for protection? What or who do I count on for provision? For fulfillment? For worth? For identity? What are my entanglements? Who or what do I actually worship?
Because there are so many things we worship as idols instead of, or along side of, God, we might have to go into captivity more than once. But every time we are released, we are back to getting true worship established once again. This is a life process for all of us, I think. The faster we're willing to relinquish our idols the quicker we are out of captivity and into freedom.
If we want God's abiding glory, we must first turn away from our idols (and this is why God identifies them to us and shows us His perspective on them). Then we must follow God's directions for establishing true worship. While this is happening, there will be opposition.
In these chapters today we see opposing ages and the spiritual rulers of these ages at work. There is this present age of the world (which is reaching its end), and the satanic spirits that rule over it. There is also the Kingdom age (which began with Christ's appearance in the world). That has been a mystery that has slowly been revealed since then, and is still being progressively revealed. The Spirit of Truth is the ruling spirit of the Kingdom Age.
Every person has to choose which age he or she will partake of. We are born, naturally, into this present worldly age. What could we call it? The age of rebellion? The age of lies? When we're born again, we begin to partake of the Kingdom age in some ways. But just because we're born again in the spirit doesn't mean we're able to understand or accept much of it-- it's so different than what we've gotten used to. We find ourselves in two opposing kingdoms and two opposing ages at once, and we are mighty confused!
From what Paul is saying about wisdom and spirit, I understand that the wisdom of this age comes from the heart of pride and rebellion that originated with satan. The wisdom of the Kingdom of Christ proceeds from the heart of God. Since it's written that it's the spirit of man that knows the "things of a man" and that the Spirit of God knows the deep things of God, I'm taking it that the wisdom of this age is also what comes from the heart of man separated from God. Satan is completely obsessed with man, however, so it takes discerning of spirits to sometimes be able to tell the difference between what's coming from man's spirit and what's coming from demonic spirits.
The spirit of man gravitates one way or the other. People are going to receive from demonic spirits or the Spirit of God, like it or not. If we've not put ourselves in subjection to the Kingdom of God, then we're subjected to the kingdom of rebellion (or lies, or darkness). The "rulers of this age," that Paul speaks of, can't logically be human, as he's talking about the fact that they crucified Christ, not knowing that He would be risen from the dead. Obviously, they worked through people. These spirits are still around, still working through people, trying to keep the Kingdom of God from prevailing. Too late! They've been defeated. They didn't stop it from coming and they didn't even see what was going to happen. They can't possibly stop it. The glorious reign of Christ on earth is inevitable.
Carnally minded people, even Christians, have a hard (or impossible) time seeing what's going on in the Kingdom of God. Until we reject the idols of this present age of rebellion, we can't be spiritually minded. Until we are spiritually minded, we can't receive the deep things of God revealed by the Spirit of God. When we are worshipping idols, we are still receiving only the wisdom of this age, the same "wisdom" that blindly crucified Christ.
Wrongly directed worship destroys the fruit of the Spirit in us and tears down the seed of the Word in us. It defiles and defames the temple. When we get disgusted with living in the age of rebellion, and reject its idols, we can then become cleansed from their influence and become a vessel for pure worship of God. We begin to have the fruit of the Spirit in abundance. Instead of ourselves usurping the throne of our hearts (being actually "puppet kings" of satan), then Christ is welcomed as King of kings, and we are holy participants in the Kingdom Age. We are now worshiping Him in whatever areas we are not rebelling against Him as King. He is working on getting all of us to absolute worship of Him! Give us an undivided heart to worship You! Glory!!
The Kingdom Age has glories in it we are only beginning to see as we come out from this putrid cloud of darkness. The Spirit of God delights to reveal these things to us; Jesus Christ knows all things of the Father's heart, and instructs the Spirit to reveal them to us when we are ready to receive them.
I hope this helps you to rise up and put off everything that hinders you from worshiping God purely from the heart. It certainly does motivate me!
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.
For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2: 9-10 NKJV
Questions to ponder:
Has your concept of idol worship changed?
What idol or idols in your life has the Spirit of God identified to you today, or recently?
How is He motivating you to turn away from them?
What is He showing you to do that will replace the practices of idol worship?
What glimpse of His glory has He given you to keep you wanting the deep things of God?
The things we're confronted with in captivity are all the things we've worshipped instead of God: What am I trusting in? Who do I fear? What do I desire most of all? Who or what am I molding myself to? Who am I trying to please? What am I filling myself with? Who am I following? How am I getting guidance? What do I think about all the time? What do I crave? Who or what intimidates me? What am I addicted to? What am I patterning my life after? Who or what do I run to for protection? What or who do I count on for provision? For fulfillment? For worth? For identity? What are my entanglements? Who or what do I actually worship?
Because there are so many things we worship as idols instead of, or along side of, God, we might have to go into captivity more than once. But every time we are released, we are back to getting true worship established once again. This is a life process for all of us, I think. The faster we're willing to relinquish our idols the quicker we are out of captivity and into freedom.
If we want God's abiding glory, we must first turn away from our idols (and this is why God identifies them to us and shows us His perspective on them). Then we must follow God's directions for establishing true worship. While this is happening, there will be opposition.
In these chapters today we see opposing ages and the spiritual rulers of these ages at work. There is this present age of the world (which is reaching its end), and the satanic spirits that rule over it. There is also the Kingdom age (which began with Christ's appearance in the world). That has been a mystery that has slowly been revealed since then, and is still being progressively revealed. The Spirit of Truth is the ruling spirit of the Kingdom Age.
Every person has to choose which age he or she will partake of. We are born, naturally, into this present worldly age. What could we call it? The age of rebellion? The age of lies? When we're born again, we begin to partake of the Kingdom age in some ways. But just because we're born again in the spirit doesn't mean we're able to understand or accept much of it-- it's so different than what we've gotten used to. We find ourselves in two opposing kingdoms and two opposing ages at once, and we are mighty confused!
From what Paul is saying about wisdom and spirit, I understand that the wisdom of this age comes from the heart of pride and rebellion that originated with satan. The wisdom of the Kingdom of Christ proceeds from the heart of God. Since it's written that it's the spirit of man that knows the "things of a man" and that the Spirit of God knows the deep things of God, I'm taking it that the wisdom of this age is also what comes from the heart of man separated from God. Satan is completely obsessed with man, however, so it takes discerning of spirits to sometimes be able to tell the difference between what's coming from man's spirit and what's coming from demonic spirits.
The spirit of man gravitates one way or the other. People are going to receive from demonic spirits or the Spirit of God, like it or not. If we've not put ourselves in subjection to the Kingdom of God, then we're subjected to the kingdom of rebellion (or lies, or darkness). The "rulers of this age," that Paul speaks of, can't logically be human, as he's talking about the fact that they crucified Christ, not knowing that He would be risen from the dead. Obviously, they worked through people. These spirits are still around, still working through people, trying to keep the Kingdom of God from prevailing. Too late! They've been defeated. They didn't stop it from coming and they didn't even see what was going to happen. They can't possibly stop it. The glorious reign of Christ on earth is inevitable.
Carnally minded people, even Christians, have a hard (or impossible) time seeing what's going on in the Kingdom of God. Until we reject the idols of this present age of rebellion, we can't be spiritually minded. Until we are spiritually minded, we can't receive the deep things of God revealed by the Spirit of God. When we are worshipping idols, we are still receiving only the wisdom of this age, the same "wisdom" that blindly crucified Christ.
Wrongly directed worship destroys the fruit of the Spirit in us and tears down the seed of the Word in us. It defiles and defames the temple. When we get disgusted with living in the age of rebellion, and reject its idols, we can then become cleansed from their influence and become a vessel for pure worship of God. We begin to have the fruit of the Spirit in abundance. Instead of ourselves usurping the throne of our hearts (being actually "puppet kings" of satan), then Christ is welcomed as King of kings, and we are holy participants in the Kingdom Age. We are now worshiping Him in whatever areas we are not rebelling against Him as King. He is working on getting all of us to absolute worship of Him! Give us an undivided heart to worship You! Glory!!
The Kingdom Age has glories in it we are only beginning to see as we come out from this putrid cloud of darkness. The Spirit of God delights to reveal these things to us; Jesus Christ knows all things of the Father's heart, and instructs the Spirit to reveal them to us when we are ready to receive them.
I hope this helps you to rise up and put off everything that hinders you from worshiping God purely from the heart. It certainly does motivate me!
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.
For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2: 9-10 NKJV
Questions to ponder:
Has your concept of idol worship changed?
What idol or idols in your life has the Spirit of God identified to you today, or recently?
How is He motivating you to turn away from them?
What is He showing you to do that will replace the practices of idol worship?
What glimpse of His glory has He given you to keep you wanting the deep things of God?
Thursday, June 24, 2010
June 24, 2010 Facing Up
Do you ever wonder why the Scriptures are so full of supernatural happenings, and yet our lives (most of them anyway) are so NOT? I do! Maybe having an ordinary life is all you want, so I guess if that's what you have, you should keep up doing what you're doing to have it that way. But me, I'm not satisfied with ordinary. I don't see anywhere in Scripture, either in the Old or New Testaments, where life with God is ordinary. It seems that anywhere He is, there is something going on that is out-of-this-world!
When I read accounts of people in the Bible having supernatural interactions with God (and doesn't that seem to be a regular thing in our readings?) a growing hunger arises in my spirit for the things of heaven, and I wonder why my life seems so earthbound. While I've been "on vacation," the Lord's been speaking to me about why I'm not experiencing as much of Him as I'd like, or even as much as I used to. I have been getting too much earthly input, and not enough heavenly! Realizing this, I decided to watch some videos from ministries I trust. All the messages I heard seemed to say the same thing (and one of them even quoted today's passage from Kings!): we should be having greater revelation and prophetic experiences than ever, and we are going to need them; and that if we want to see heaven, then heaven is what we should put before our eyes. I'm being reminded of what I knew before: whatever we focus on is what we eventually experience.
I had an inkling that Proverbs 17:24* was related to this, and when I ventured to look it up in the Hebrew, I was amazed at how much is missing in translation! I'm not going to go into a long explanation, so you'll just have to look it up for yourself. But this is the message that jumped out at me: If you face heaven, then you'll see heaven and you'll gain wisdom and understanding; but if you face earth, then all you'll see is earthly things, and you'll end up a fool.
That seems pretty simple and straightforward, doesn't it? Basically, we choose our experience of life by where we place our focus. Admittedly, it's easy to get our focus off onto meaningless and temporary things, or even "earth-shattering" events. But if we want to live the life Christ intended for us, we need to get our focus on Him and on His Kingdom. I am making the needed adjustments. You?
*"Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth." Proverbs 17: 24-25 NKJV
When I read accounts of people in the Bible having supernatural interactions with God (and doesn't that seem to be a regular thing in our readings?) a growing hunger arises in my spirit for the things of heaven, and I wonder why my life seems so earthbound. While I've been "on vacation," the Lord's been speaking to me about why I'm not experiencing as much of Him as I'd like, or even as much as I used to. I have been getting too much earthly input, and not enough heavenly! Realizing this, I decided to watch some videos from ministries I trust. All the messages I heard seemed to say the same thing (and one of them even quoted today's passage from Kings!): we should be having greater revelation and prophetic experiences than ever, and we are going to need them; and that if we want to see heaven, then heaven is what we should put before our eyes. I'm being reminded of what I knew before: whatever we focus on is what we eventually experience.
I had an inkling that Proverbs 17:24* was related to this, and when I ventured to look it up in the Hebrew, I was amazed at how much is missing in translation! I'm not going to go into a long explanation, so you'll just have to look it up for yourself. But this is the message that jumped out at me: If you face heaven, then you'll see heaven and you'll gain wisdom and understanding; but if you face earth, then all you'll see is earthly things, and you'll end up a fool.
That seems pretty simple and straightforward, doesn't it? Basically, we choose our experience of life by where we place our focus. Admittedly, it's easy to get our focus off onto meaningless and temporary things, or even "earth-shattering" events. But if we want to live the life Christ intended for us, we need to get our focus on Him and on His Kingdom. I am making the needed adjustments. You?
*"Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth." Proverbs 17: 24-25 NKJV
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
June 9, 2010 The Spirit of Excellence
Being an artist, I always love reading the descriptions of the temple, in all of its stages throughout the Bible. They've become more vivid to me as I've practiced imagining the details in my mind's eye. The varied way that the Spirit of Wisdom worked in Solomon-- either in the practicalities of business, or in the beautiful details of an artistic vision-- is a vivid picture of how God's wisdom is a priceless endowment in every area of life. Christ is now building His temple, the Church, as a habitation for God's name, and the glory that permeates His workmanship, through the Spirit of Wisdom, is what sets the Church apart and makes her great in every area of influence.
The same Spirit of Wisdom works through the members of Christ's Body today. No matter what our endeavors and areas of gifting are, the Spirit of Wisdom, when allowed to guide and empower, will enable us to glorify God by helping us to achieve a level of excellence that shines. I am reminded that when people began to notice Jesus, they commented that He did "all things well." The fact that Solomon did "all things well" clues us in to the concept that he is a "type and shadow" of Christ. Think how glorious His reign will be! Do you ever let yourself imagine what that time will be like? I certainly do!
Nobody that I know does "all things well"! I'm good at several things, but I'm terrible with numbers! Lucky for me, my husband Bob is a whiz! He, on the other hand, has some holes in his abilities that I can fill nicely. We're a good team! And this is the glory of oneness: not only in marriage, but in the Body of Christ, the Church! As we each do our part by the Spirit of Wisdom and Excellence, we participate in building a living temple for the glory of God's name. "O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8:9
We should never look down on someone because their part doesn't look spiritual to us. Everyone has a duty, whether they are prophets or plumbers, to walk in the Spirit, and thus shine with God's wisdom and excellence, which is part of His glory. As for the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight." Psalm 16:3 Being excellent in all we do is not about getting glory for ourselves (which is worldliness), but is all about showing forth the glory of God.
Sadly, a religious spirit of false humility has, over the decades, tended to tarnish the Church's ability to shine forth the glory, promoting, in many individuals, a need to diminish the light of Christ in themselves. If we are truly walking in the Spirit, we will do whatever it is we do, whether small or great, in an attitude of worship, which will allow God's excellence to be seen.
Even when something is unnoticed by people, excellence glorifies God! One of the marks of quality-- for example, of a piece of designer clothing-- is that even the hidden seams are marked with excellence of workmanship. Never think that what you do doesn't matter-- it's all part of the Church's reason for existence: to glorify God's name.
Don't get discouraged if you feel like you're not doing excellently! Jesus is still the Author and Finisher! It's our job to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him, not stress and strive in a perfectionistic way. (see how today's Psalm addresses this: Psalm 127:1-2). He will teach and guide, and if we just keep on being faithful, we will eventually do excellently without even trying.
Jesus Christ is excellent. If you're born of God, and if the Spirit of God lives in you, you are made of excellent material! As Christ is formed in you, you will become-- you are becoming-- more and more excellent, just like Him!
The same Spirit of Wisdom works through the members of Christ's Body today. No matter what our endeavors and areas of gifting are, the Spirit of Wisdom, when allowed to guide and empower, will enable us to glorify God by helping us to achieve a level of excellence that shines. I am reminded that when people began to notice Jesus, they commented that He did "all things well." The fact that Solomon did "all things well" clues us in to the concept that he is a "type and shadow" of Christ. Think how glorious His reign will be! Do you ever let yourself imagine what that time will be like? I certainly do!
Nobody that I know does "all things well"! I'm good at several things, but I'm terrible with numbers! Lucky for me, my husband Bob is a whiz! He, on the other hand, has some holes in his abilities that I can fill nicely. We're a good team! And this is the glory of oneness: not only in marriage, but in the Body of Christ, the Church! As we each do our part by the Spirit of Wisdom and Excellence, we participate in building a living temple for the glory of God's name. "O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8:9
We should never look down on someone because their part doesn't look spiritual to us. Everyone has a duty, whether they are prophets or plumbers, to walk in the Spirit, and thus shine with God's wisdom and excellence, which is part of His glory. As for the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight." Psalm 16:3 Being excellent in all we do is not about getting glory for ourselves (which is worldliness), but is all about showing forth the glory of God.
Sadly, a religious spirit of false humility has, over the decades, tended to tarnish the Church's ability to shine forth the glory, promoting, in many individuals, a need to diminish the light of Christ in themselves. If we are truly walking in the Spirit, we will do whatever it is we do, whether small or great, in an attitude of worship, which will allow God's excellence to be seen.
Even when something is unnoticed by people, excellence glorifies God! One of the marks of quality-- for example, of a piece of designer clothing-- is that even the hidden seams are marked with excellence of workmanship. Never think that what you do doesn't matter-- it's all part of the Church's reason for existence: to glorify God's name.
Don't get discouraged if you feel like you're not doing excellently! Jesus is still the Author and Finisher! It's our job to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him, not stress and strive in a perfectionistic way. (see how today's Psalm addresses this: Psalm 127:1-2). He will teach and guide, and if we just keep on being faithful, we will eventually do excellently without even trying.
Jesus Christ is excellent. If you're born of God, and if the Spirit of God lives in you, you are made of excellent material! As Christ is formed in you, you will become-- you are becoming-- more and more excellent, just like Him!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
May 19, 2010 People Living Up To Their Names
Nabal's name, of course, means "fool," which is explained in Scripture. He thoroughly lived up to his name. Why would someone name their kid that, I wonder? If you call someone "fool" over and over, they'll probably believe it! In contrast, Abigail (whose name means "father" and "rejoicing"), was surely a delight to her father, to her heavenly Father, and to David.
A person who knows they are loved by the Father can be an effective intercessor and a blessing to all. Her wisdom is a great contrast to her husband's brute foolishness. The verse in Proverbs today was very fitting:
"A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother." Proverbs 15:20 NKJV It's not unfitting to say that a wise daughter makes her father glad; a foolish man makes his father miserable, and also that he despises his wife as well as his mother. Abigail was merciful and interceded, and this was rewarded greatly. The fool has no fear of God, and that received its reward as well.
Saul's name means "asked for" or "desired", and the people got what they asked for and desired, but not what they needed. David's name, in contrast, means "beloved." He was beloved by God and the people, and most assuredly my Abigail, (even though she had to share him). When we allow God to give us what we need, rather than demanding what we think we desire, we will truly love what we have been given! Because God knows how to give good gifts to His children.
Only a fool would turn down the opportunity to have that kind of Daddy! Nevertheless, we should be like David, who spared Saul when it was in his power to do him ill, and Abigail, who took upon herself the burden of her foolish husband's sin, even though she probably would have loved to get rid of him, and may have been tempted to let David take his life. The end of the story leaves no doubt that she took the proper course!
God calls us "beloved"! He calls us "Father's delight!" If we keep listening, we'll eventually live up to everything He sees in us-- the likeness of Christ.
A person who knows they are loved by the Father can be an effective intercessor and a blessing to all. Her wisdom is a great contrast to her husband's brute foolishness. The verse in Proverbs today was very fitting:
"A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother." Proverbs 15:20 NKJV It's not unfitting to say that a wise daughter makes her father glad; a foolish man makes his father miserable, and also that he despises his wife as well as his mother. Abigail was merciful and interceded, and this was rewarded greatly. The fool has no fear of God, and that received its reward as well.
Saul's name means "asked for" or "desired", and the people got what they asked for and desired, but not what they needed. David's name, in contrast, means "beloved." He was beloved by God and the people, and most assuredly my Abigail, (even though she had to share him). When we allow God to give us what we need, rather than demanding what we think we desire, we will truly love what we have been given! Because God knows how to give good gifts to His children.
Only a fool would turn down the opportunity to have that kind of Daddy! Nevertheless, we should be like David, who spared Saul when it was in his power to do him ill, and Abigail, who took upon herself the burden of her foolish husband's sin, even though she probably would have loved to get rid of him, and may have been tempted to let David take his life. The end of the story leaves no doubt that she took the proper course!
God calls us "beloved"! He calls us "Father's delight!" If we keep listening, we'll eventually live up to everything He sees in us-- the likeness of Christ.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
February 2, 2010
What I saw in today's readings is that if you ask God a question, you're going to get an answer. It just depends on your attitude and heart intention as to what kind of answer you get.
The children of Israel got answers of food and water, since they had a real need, but they also got a rebuke for their complaining and testing God. Much better to just ask politely because you know He's going to provide.
The Pharisees got a wise answer from Jesus, but He also called them on their malicious testing of Him and said they were hypocrites.
David, on the other hand, inquired of the Lord and expressed his needs with the attitude of expectation of good from the Lord. This he got, more than he could have thought or imagined.
I know whose example I want to follow!
The children of Israel got answers of food and water, since they had a real need, but they also got a rebuke for their complaining and testing God. Much better to just ask politely because you know He's going to provide.
The Pharisees got a wise answer from Jesus, but He also called them on their malicious testing of Him and said they were hypocrites.
David, on the other hand, inquired of the Lord and expressed his needs with the attitude of expectation of good from the Lord. This he got, more than he could have thought or imagined.
I know whose example I want to follow!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
January 20, 2010
Again I am struck by the agreement of the passages for today, and the message in them. Dreams and parables, signs and wonders featured strongly. This is very timely, for aren't we in the times Jesus prophesied, the end of the age? Maybe we have heard the story of Joseph and the parables of Jesus since we were children, and take them too lightly. But they have huge significance for this time that we are in.
God will be speaking to us (and even to unbelievers) in dreams and visions, because we will need instruction! The parables are important for our time! Understanding God's spiritual language is needed for direction, wisdom and discernment. For our protection and the good of those we care for and serve, we must seek the Lord for understanding! It's not just for people who might considered weird because they are gifted prophetically, it's for anyone "who has ears to hear."
"Jesus told the crowd all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth to speak in parables; I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world." Matthew 13:34-35
Jesus is still speaking in dreams, visions and parables today, and He is still giving those who seek him the keys of understanding that will save the day.
God will be speaking to us (and even to unbelievers) in dreams and visions, because we will need instruction! The parables are important for our time! Understanding God's spiritual language is needed for direction, wisdom and discernment. For our protection and the good of those we care for and serve, we must seek the Lord for understanding! It's not just for people who might considered weird because they are gifted prophetically, it's for anyone "who has ears to hear."
"Jesus told the crowd all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth to speak in parables; I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world." Matthew 13:34-35
Jesus is still speaking in dreams, visions and parables today, and He is still giving those who seek him the keys of understanding that will save the day.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
January 19, 2010
Joseph's Tips for having FAVOR:
1. Make sure God is with you. Genesis 39:2-5
2. Have godly character (e.g. trustworthy, faithful, pure). 39:7-9
3. Don't lose your character under duress 39:19-23
4. Pay attention to people and be a loving servant. 40:6-7
5. Know your gifts and glorify God with them. 40:8
6. Do whatever you do very well. 40:22
7. Remember-- your favor comes from God, not people. 40:23
8. Don't forget good grooming! 41:14
9. Be confident that your gift will always function when you give God the credit and not yourself. 41:16
Jesus' Tips for having Favor (HE IS your FAVOR):
1. Do the Father's will. Matthew 12:50
2. Learn to speak the language of the Kingdom. 13:3
3. Learn to see, hear, and understand the language of the Kingdom 13:16
4. Be good soil for the Word and bear fruit. 13:23
David's Tips for having Favor: Psalm 17:1-15
1. Pray for favor.
2. Speak the truth.
3. Stick to the Way.
4. Trust the Lord.
Solomon's Tips for having Favor: Proverbs 3:34
1. Don't look down on people.
2. Be humble.
Bonus:
"To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given." Matthew 13:11 Seek the Lord for wisdom, discernment and the gift of interpretation (e.g. dreams). They were keys for Joseph's favor, and they will be much needed in the days to come.
1. Make sure God is with you. Genesis 39:2-5
2. Have godly character (e.g. trustworthy, faithful, pure). 39:7-9
3. Don't lose your character under duress 39:19-23
4. Pay attention to people and be a loving servant. 40:6-7
5. Know your gifts and glorify God with them. 40:8
6. Do whatever you do very well. 40:22
7. Remember-- your favor comes from God, not people. 40:23
8. Don't forget good grooming! 41:14
9. Be confident that your gift will always function when you give God the credit and not yourself. 41:16
Jesus' Tips for having Favor (HE IS your FAVOR):
1. Do the Father's will. Matthew 12:50
2. Learn to speak the language of the Kingdom. 13:3
3. Learn to see, hear, and understand the language of the Kingdom 13:16
4. Be good soil for the Word and bear fruit. 13:23
David's Tips for having Favor: Psalm 17:1-15
1. Pray for favor.
2. Speak the truth.
3. Stick to the Way.
4. Trust the Lord.
Solomon's Tips for having Favor: Proverbs 3:34
1. Don't look down on people.
2. Be humble.
Bonus:
"To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given." Matthew 13:11 Seek the Lord for wisdom, discernment and the gift of interpretation (e.g. dreams). They were keys for Joseph's favor, and they will be much needed in the days to come.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
January 14, 2010
I'm particularly blessed today as I take to heart a very pertinent message from the OYB, very relevant to my husband and I right now. Genesis 30:27 Laban said to Jacob "I have learned by divination." This tells me just about all I need to know about where some personal attacks against us are coming from in the business/financial realm. They're not getting their "information" or motivation from anything but the devil. Our warfare is not with flesh and blood, etc. Jacob's encounter with God is very relevant too: "I have seen all that Laban is doing to you." Gen.31:12.
God gave Jacob specific directions so as to bless him and deliver him. In Matthew 10:16-23, Jesus gives instructions for how to deal with persecution, because He knew we would get it. The Psalm gave me added comfort: "You, O Lord, will protect us; you will guard us from this generation forever." (the Shield theme again!). The Proverbs, as well, chimed in with it's exhortation about wisdom and understanding. Psalm 12:7, Proverbs 3: 13-15. For Jacob, wisdom translated into physical wealth. If you take this spiritually though, the wealth that you gain from wisdom is better than that even, and no one can ever take it away from you.
God gave Jacob specific directions so as to bless him and deliver him. In Matthew 10:16-23, Jesus gives instructions for how to deal with persecution, because He knew we would get it. The Psalm gave me added comfort: "You, O Lord, will protect us; you will guard us from this generation forever." (the Shield theme again!). The Proverbs, as well, chimed in with it's exhortation about wisdom and understanding. Psalm 12:7, Proverbs 3: 13-15. For Jacob, wisdom translated into physical wealth. If you take this spiritually though, the wealth that you gain from wisdom is better than that even, and no one can ever take it away from you.
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