Matthew 2
I just read about how the wise men came to see Jesus after his birth. Through the wise men, King Herod heard about Jesus and sought to destroy him, so an angel told Joseph to take his family and go to Egypt until Herod's death, so that Jesus' life would be spared from Herod's destruction.
Holy Spirit, You called to my attention of wondering why didn't God let Jesus die then? He was still perfect at that time...a seeming satisfying perfect, undeserving sacrifice to pay for our sins as was required. A few reasons came to mind...
1. There were still prophesies to be fulfilled. The pieces of the puzzle had to all be put together about who the Messiah was that God talked about so often in the Old Testament.
2. Even Jesus was chosen to go through trials to make Your will done...then it should be no surprise when my life is the same.
3. All the miracles would have never been done...He wouldn't have touched the lives He did. While I enjoy the journey and sometimes endure what life has in store for me, I may be here to help someone along the way.
4. The fellowship of His suffering wouldn't be real if He would have never endured the things He did. Because He went through a lot, I know He understands when I go through things too.
Abba your timing is always so perfect...always right on time...and to EVERYTHING there is a purpose...a plan. Thank You. I love You, Abba!
Showing posts with label God's will. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's will. Show all posts
Monday, October 26, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Bunch of Dimwits!
Haggai
The prophet Haggai is talking to the governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of the high priest. The temple of the Lord had been destroyed by the Babylonians. Now it was time to rebuild it. I guess the people of Judah were saying, "It's not time to build the Lord's house."
Haggai reminds them of the low estate they have put themselves into...
1:5-6 Now therefore thus said the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages [to put in] into a bag with holes.
In other words, "Hey you, Dimwits! The path you're headed down isn't working for you! Why not try obeying the Lord and quit putting it off!"
The spirits of these men that Haggai spoke with were stirred up and all the people, so they decided to build the house of the Lord.
At the end God reminds them of where they were before...the trials they endured and the troubles because of their disobedience. But He also promises that He with be with them and will conquer the kingdoms of the heathen if they continue to obey.
At first, I must admit, I get out my pointer finger and think of all THOSE PEOPLE who are SO stupid and keep bucking against the Lord and keep putting off doing right. I look at them and see their lives in ruin and waste and common sense wants to scream at them and say, "You Dimwit! Obviously the direction you are taking isn't working out so well! Why not live for the LORD!!" (Whew! That felt kinda good to get that off my chest!)
But I have really tried to not so much focus on what other people's faults are as I read the Bible this year, but to look inside myself. What sort of "dimwit" things am I doing? The people of Judah were "waiting" to obey, probably wanting for things to be convenient before they obeyed. Never gonna happen! I think of the times that I thought, "If I had my own little quiet spot and a nice comfy chair, I would pray more." Let me testify, that's not true. (I've played that game.) If I won't obey and do the things I know to do when it's not convenient; I won't do it when it is. "Oh, if I had lots of money, I could save it and get ahead." Nope! (I have since learned from that last one, and doing so much better thanks to the principles on money in Your Word.)
Excuse me while I stir myself up, "Bridgett, quit making excuses and do those things you know to do! Obey God. You know when you do it, it always makes things a lot easier! Pray more consistently, Bridgett. Obey the Holy Spirit right away when He prompts you to witness to someone. Shut your mouth when you have a negative thought in your head. Let encouraging words flow freely from your lips and quit being stingy with them."
Ahh... that felt good. The best part of it all, that when I obey Him---I get to enjoy His presence and blessing. And that feels soooooo much better than going my way and being on my own.
The prophet Haggai is talking to the governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of the high priest. The temple of the Lord had been destroyed by the Babylonians. Now it was time to rebuild it. I guess the people of Judah were saying, "It's not time to build the Lord's house."
Haggai reminds them of the low estate they have put themselves into...
1:5-6 Now therefore thus said the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages [to put in] into a bag with holes.
In other words, "Hey you, Dimwits! The path you're headed down isn't working for you! Why not try obeying the Lord and quit putting it off!"
The spirits of these men that Haggai spoke with were stirred up and all the people, so they decided to build the house of the Lord.
At the end God reminds them of where they were before...the trials they endured and the troubles because of their disobedience. But He also promises that He with be with them and will conquer the kingdoms of the heathen if they continue to obey.
At first, I must admit, I get out my pointer finger and think of all THOSE PEOPLE who are SO stupid and keep bucking against the Lord and keep putting off doing right. I look at them and see their lives in ruin and waste and common sense wants to scream at them and say, "You Dimwit! Obviously the direction you are taking isn't working out so well! Why not live for the LORD!!" (Whew! That felt kinda good to get that off my chest!)
But I have really tried to not so much focus on what other people's faults are as I read the Bible this year, but to look inside myself. What sort of "dimwit" things am I doing? The people of Judah were "waiting" to obey, probably wanting for things to be convenient before they obeyed. Never gonna happen! I think of the times that I thought, "If I had my own little quiet spot and a nice comfy chair, I would pray more." Let me testify, that's not true. (I've played that game.) If I won't obey and do the things I know to do when it's not convenient; I won't do it when it is. "Oh, if I had lots of money, I could save it and get ahead." Nope! (I have since learned from that last one, and doing so much better thanks to the principles on money in Your Word.)
Excuse me while I stir myself up, "Bridgett, quit making excuses and do those things you know to do! Obey God. You know when you do it, it always makes things a lot easier! Pray more consistently, Bridgett. Obey the Holy Spirit right away when He prompts you to witness to someone. Shut your mouth when you have a negative thought in your head. Let encouraging words flow freely from your lips and quit being stingy with them."
Ahh... that felt good. The best part of it all, that when I obey Him---I get to enjoy His presence and blessing. And that feels soooooo much better than going my way and being on my own.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
I Have Seen Thy Tears
Oh man! I have so much that I have learned in the last few days from Bible reading and circumstances that I feel like my cup is so full that I must spill it out before I can gather more to fill it. :)
Yesterday, a friend was relaying her excitement about the LORD opening up and unexpected door after it seemingly seemed that all doors were closed. She was content and at peace with the doors being shut, though, if that was God's will. It so reminded me of the many times You did that for me, LORD. I was searching, searching, and searching trying to find Your will (well actually Your will than conveniently coincided with what I wanted to be Your will). I would always have a "worst door" situation that I didn't want to go through, but it wasn't until I had completely surrendered to going through that "worst door" that You then showed me what You wanted and often it ended up being what I wanted in the first place. It reminds me of the story of Abraham surrendering Issac. He was willing to do the "worst" to show his obedience and love for You, but it wasn't Issac that You wanted. You wanted to see in action Abraham's heart of obedience and strong devotion. I was trying to remember all the times I was put in the "worst door" dilemma...when I was deciding to stay or go after graduation, when I decided to come home after being in Indiana, when You showed me who I was going to marry. Abba, help m ealways to be open to the "worst door" situation to show that I still love You and that I still believe that You are in control.
Next overflowing...Hezekiah...I was so impressed when I was reading about him last night. It's amazing how he had Your ear God. He was told he was going to die by Isaiah the prophet. After he left the room it says that Hezekiah cried and prayed to You and before Isaiah could even leave the house You tell Isaiah
2 Kings 20:5
Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee:..
Wow! What a quick answer to prayer, but I also love the way this shows how personal You are. "I have seen thy tears." God, that's comforting to know that You see me cry. To know some one has tears down their face, You have to stare at them. You have to watch them for some time to even notice. Abba, thank You for not only seeing my tears like Hezekiah but also "hearing" and responding to my tears. You are so gentle and so kind. I love You so much!!
Yesterday, a friend was relaying her excitement about the LORD opening up and unexpected door after it seemingly seemed that all doors were closed. She was content and at peace with the doors being shut, though, if that was God's will. It so reminded me of the many times You did that for me, LORD. I was searching, searching, and searching trying to find Your will (well actually Your will than conveniently coincided with what I wanted to be Your will). I would always have a "worst door" situation that I didn't want to go through, but it wasn't until I had completely surrendered to going through that "worst door" that You then showed me what You wanted and often it ended up being what I wanted in the first place. It reminds me of the story of Abraham surrendering Issac. He was willing to do the "worst" to show his obedience and love for You, but it wasn't Issac that You wanted. You wanted to see in action Abraham's heart of obedience and strong devotion. I was trying to remember all the times I was put in the "worst door" dilemma...when I was deciding to stay or go after graduation, when I decided to come home after being in Indiana, when You showed me who I was going to marry. Abba, help m ealways to be open to the "worst door" situation to show that I still love You and that I still believe that You are in control.
Next overflowing...Hezekiah...I was so impressed when I was reading about him last night. It's amazing how he had Your ear God. He was told he was going to die by Isaiah the prophet. After he left the room it says that Hezekiah cried and prayed to You and before Isaiah could even leave the house You tell Isaiah
2 Kings 20:5
Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee:..
Wow! What a quick answer to prayer, but I also love the way this shows how personal You are. "I have seen thy tears." God, that's comforting to know that You see me cry. To know some one has tears down their face, You have to stare at them. You have to watch them for some time to even notice. Abba, thank You for not only seeing my tears like Hezekiah but also "hearing" and responding to my tears. You are so gentle and so kind. I love You so much!!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
God's Thoughts and Direction
Wow! It surely is overwhelming when I stop and try to think about how much God thinks about me.
139:17
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
139:18
[If] I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
That certainly is the highest form of flattery. To know that I am a constant awareness in God's mind. He doesn't "misplace" me or forget what's happening in my life. He knows everything I am doing. That's hard to fathom that He does that for me, but harder to fathom that He does for everyone at the same time. My mind hurts thinking about it. :)
143:8
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
Every time I read the word "lovingkindness", I think to myself....awww that's so sweet! Thinking about this verse...hear thy lovingkindness. How in the world do I hear that? I think that means to sit still and be quiet....listen for God's still soft voice. When I hear Your lovingkindness like that I am also able to "know the way wherin I should walk." Abba, may my every step today be prefaced with You in mind---desiring Your direction to lead me even as simple as a route to walk or drive, to know that I am in the pathway of someone You have brought my way. Lead me, Lord, lead on.
145:17-19
The LORD [is] righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
What a great prayer promise!
139:17
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
139:18
[If] I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
That certainly is the highest form of flattery. To know that I am a constant awareness in God's mind. He doesn't "misplace" me or forget what's happening in my life. He knows everything I am doing. That's hard to fathom that He does that for me, but harder to fathom that He does for everyone at the same time. My mind hurts thinking about it. :)
143:8
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
Every time I read the word "lovingkindness", I think to myself....awww that's so sweet! Thinking about this verse...hear thy lovingkindness. How in the world do I hear that? I think that means to sit still and be quiet....listen for God's still soft voice. When I hear Your lovingkindness like that I am also able to "know the way wherin I should walk." Abba, may my every step today be prefaced with You in mind---desiring Your direction to lead me even as simple as a route to walk or drive, to know that I am in the pathway of someone You have brought my way. Lead me, Lord, lead on.
145:17-19
The LORD [is] righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
What a great prayer promise!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Leaning on God, not man
1 Sam 4-8
The ark of God has been taken and then returned. Samuel's sons are wicked, and the people want a king instead of God to rule over them. The words that struck me were...."that he may fight for us." Truly I can't imagine how this grieved your heart, God. Here they were so willing to give up the privilege of taking things to you. They gave up freedom, though hard at times for bondage. They wanted to be like other nations that had kings rather than lean on You.
I see our nation much like this today. Rather than trust in the Lord they trust in the government to take care of them. The king rule became the demise of Israel, and so it will be our demise in America.
Now for my personal application. I think you are teaching me that it is just as wrong for me to have my leaders go to You for me. I have the great opportunity and privilege to beseech you myself. Leaders are necessary, a picture of You, but they are not to be substituted for You. I remember as a senior in college, I went to Dr. Schaap, so he could help me decide what I needed to do with my future after graduating. Actually I didn't want him to "help me", I wanted him to tell me. After explaining the circumstances, he looked at me and said "I can't tell you what God's will is for your life." Though I left frustrated that day, I learned a great lesson. Instead of beseeching You and asking for Your help, I was leaning on a man of God to tell me what You want. I could have taken the time and asked You myself. Though, I do now go to leaders to get their insight, I have learned to go to You for my final decision. Nothing is quite as satisfying as knowing I am doing exactly what God wants me to do and has told ME to do personally.
The ark of God has been taken and then returned. Samuel's sons are wicked, and the people want a king instead of God to rule over them. The words that struck me were...."that he may fight for us." Truly I can't imagine how this grieved your heart, God. Here they were so willing to give up the privilege of taking things to you. They gave up freedom, though hard at times for bondage. They wanted to be like other nations that had kings rather than lean on You.
I see our nation much like this today. Rather than trust in the Lord they trust in the government to take care of them. The king rule became the demise of Israel, and so it will be our demise in America.
Now for my personal application. I think you are teaching me that it is just as wrong for me to have my leaders go to You for me. I have the great opportunity and privilege to beseech you myself. Leaders are necessary, a picture of You, but they are not to be substituted for You. I remember as a senior in college, I went to Dr. Schaap, so he could help me decide what I needed to do with my future after graduating. Actually I didn't want him to "help me", I wanted him to tell me. After explaining the circumstances, he looked at me and said "I can't tell you what God's will is for your life." Though I left frustrated that day, I learned a great lesson. Instead of beseeching You and asking for Your help, I was leaning on a man of God to tell me what You want. I could have taken the time and asked You myself. Though, I do now go to leaders to get their insight, I have learned to go to You for my final decision. Nothing is quite as satisfying as knowing I am doing exactly what God wants me to do and has told ME to do personally.
Friday, April 17, 2009
God Has a Will for Everyone
Joshua 1-3
The story of Rahab. This account always raises questions in my mind. Rahab lied. Lying is wrong, but had she not lied the spies would not have been spared nor her family for that matter. And why in the world did the spies go to a harlot's house? That does look quite suspicious. Things I do learn from this story...well, it's not just a story, but from this event...
1. God's testimony of judgment and victory brought fear and regard from these people.
2. God uses all sorts of people to do His will.
Pro 16:4
The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
God knew she would lie and used it for His will, I guess. She wasn't a godly woman, obviously, but God used her.
3. Rahab showed her new faith by saying the God was the god of Heaven and earth, and she believed the spies would keep their word and save her family.
4:5-7
And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: That this may be a sign among you, [that] when your children ask [their fathers] in time to come, saying, What [mean] ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
After the Israelittes passed over, Joshua wanted to make sure there was a memorial for their children to remember what the Lord did for them.
What sort of memorials are in my life that make not only me remember but also to teach my children the miracles God has done?
The story of Rahab. This account always raises questions in my mind. Rahab lied. Lying is wrong, but had she not lied the spies would not have been spared nor her family for that matter. And why in the world did the spies go to a harlot's house? That does look quite suspicious. Things I do learn from this story...well, it's not just a story, but from this event...
1. God's testimony of judgment and victory brought fear and regard from these people.
2. God uses all sorts of people to do His will.
Pro 16:4
The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
God knew she would lie and used it for His will, I guess. She wasn't a godly woman, obviously, but God used her.
3. Rahab showed her new faith by saying the God was the god of Heaven and earth, and she believed the spies would keep their word and save her family.
4:5-7
And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: That this may be a sign among you, [that] when your children ask [their fathers] in time to come, saying, What [mean] ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
After the Israelittes passed over, Joshua wanted to make sure there was a memorial for their children to remember what the Lord did for them.
What sort of memorials are in my life that make not only me remember but also to teach my children the miracles God has done?
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