Joshua 1:1-11
"After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them–to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates–all the Hittite country–to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you, do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Moses is dead.
Get ready.
I will give you...as I promised.
No one will be able to stand against...
As I was with Moses, so I will be with you...
I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Be strong
Be courageous
...you will lead these people
Be strong and very courageous.
Be careful to obey all the law...do not turn to the right or to the left...
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth...
meditate on it day and night...
Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and and courageous.
Do not be terrified.
Do not be discouraged.
I am with you.
Joshua had walked with Moses, talked with him, and had been witness to many incredible things. God was about to fulfill a promise spoken years and years before to Abraham, and Joshua was to lead the Israelites into the fulfillment of this promise. The task was daunting. He could have said, "I just can't." He probably was tempted to lay it all down and walk away. These words that God spoke in the ear of this leader are heavy. They are purposeful. They have life and direction, they have power and insight. These words fill my heart, mind, and spirit with courage and purpose. I fall on my knees and ask, "Lord, send me! Almighty God, I am not worthy to be called, but send me!" "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. " Emmanuel. God with us. Almighty God, with us.
How do these words stir your heart?
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Words
On my mind lately...words. The world is filled with all kinds of words. Written words, spoken words. Words that hold great value, meaning, purpose, promise; and words that are like garbage, or are like fluff that blow away and aren't worth anything, or are empty. I'm making plans to look carefully at the words uttered by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of the Bible. Just this morning I spent time looking at Genesis 17, where God initiates a covenant with Abraham. His spoken words are quoted. I believe this event took place thousands of years ago, and that by the divine hand of God those words were recorded and exist still today. I believe that the words spoken, the covenant established, was spoken by a God who does not throw around His words carelessly, but purposefully places them down in time and space with great meaning and value. I want for this part of God's character to have impact on my life. Anyone want to join the conversation? I'd love to have the thoughts of others as I launch into this study!
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Psalm 119...an invitation
Psalm 119:9-16
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statues as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."
John 16:13-15
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mind and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mind and make it known to you."
John 4:21-24
"Jesus declared, 'Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jesws. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers much worship in spirit and in truth.'"
Psalm 119. So long. Each part has God's law, His word, His decrees, His precepts, His utterances, as the focal point. In my simple read through this morning, as I consider my Savior, My God whom I treasure, I'm reminded of what Jesus says about the Holy Spirit and truth. The psalmist talks about treasuring, delighting in, and honoring God's words. He devours them, feeds on them, they are his life line to safety, wisdom, protection, holiness. But not only that, he sees them as a conversation between himself and God. As I get to know any friend here on earth, we talk, we explain ourselves, our dreams, and as we grow in knowledge of each other we get a sense of character, and of their soul. We have understanding of each other that continues to increase.
How is it that the Creator and sustainer of the universe invites us into that kind of relationship? To grow in knowledge and understanding of His character, but more than just understanding from afar, as if I were learning of a great hero of the an earlier time, He invites to have understanding of Him as someone close, that I'm walking through life with RIGHT NOW.
Why would I spend my time anywhere else, than in His word, having a conversation with the One that made me, sustains me, who has all wisdom of the universe because HE MADE IT; who has all wisdom of me and my family, and my circumstances, because HE MADE IT ALL.
My heart and soul are refreshed when I spend time with Him, I have wisdom for each situation, I am loved, I have peace, through it all IT IS WELL.
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statues as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."
John 16:13-15
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mind and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mind and make it known to you."
John 4:21-24
"Jesus declared, 'Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jesws. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers much worship in spirit and in truth.'"
Psalm 119. So long. Each part has God's law, His word, His decrees, His precepts, His utterances, as the focal point. In my simple read through this morning, as I consider my Savior, My God whom I treasure, I'm reminded of what Jesus says about the Holy Spirit and truth. The psalmist talks about treasuring, delighting in, and honoring God's words. He devours them, feeds on them, they are his life line to safety, wisdom, protection, holiness. But not only that, he sees them as a conversation between himself and God. As I get to know any friend here on earth, we talk, we explain ourselves, our dreams, and as we grow in knowledge of each other we get a sense of character, and of their soul. We have understanding of each other that continues to increase.
How is it that the Creator and sustainer of the universe invites us into that kind of relationship? To grow in knowledge and understanding of His character, but more than just understanding from afar, as if I were learning of a great hero of the an earlier time, He invites to have understanding of Him as someone close, that I'm walking through life with RIGHT NOW.
Why would I spend my time anywhere else, than in His word, having a conversation with the One that made me, sustains me, who has all wisdom of the universe because HE MADE IT; who has all wisdom of me and my family, and my circumstances, because HE MADE IT ALL.
My heart and soul are refreshed when I spend time with Him, I have wisdom for each situation, I am loved, I have peace, through it all IT IS WELL.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Dancing, and Singing (in bed)
Psalm 149:3-5
"Let them praise His Name with dancing and make music to Him with tambourine and harp. For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds."
Have you sang for joy in your bed? I've sang for joy in my bed, in the shower, as I'm running, as I've danced in my kitchen. This Psalm says to dance and make music with instruments!! It says that the Lord delights in His people. It says he crowns the humble with salvation and that the saints rejoice in this HONOR and will sing in their beds. I love singing, making music, and dancing. Like I've written and said before, worship is a total body, mind, and emotion experience...but it is more than an experience. It is an act not based on what it accomplishes for me. It is in response to the work of God in my heart and my life. My heart LEAPS when God proves His love and faithfulness to me in ways I know only He knows. My heart LEAPS for joy when I can see His work in my heart...when the selfishness leaves, the pride leaves, and instead I'm left with humble awe at the work of His hands. Have you experienced this before? When there is no fear...just trust left in its place. God, the ultimate provider! He provides so perfectly and God longs for us to fully trust His provision...to not worry or doubt Him. Matthew 6:25-33. Do we really believe, in the age of everything-at-our-finger-tips, that God is still our provider? Do we believe, in the age of grocery stores or everything-else-you'd-ever-need grocery stores? Do I still believe in God my provider? Do we seek to steward well what He's given us? Do we seek His wisdom and His kingdom first?
If I can sing for joy in my bed, if I can delight in the honor of being chosen and saved and delighted in by God, I can not be fearful or worried at the same time. Is it possible? I don't find myself experiencing those two things at the same time.
God you are perfectly holy, loving, gracious, just, righteous, merciful, and you have honored us with salvation through Jesus Christ. I praise your Holy Name and sing songs and dance before YOU today. I will sing songs of joy in my bed tonight, tomorrow, and forevermore.
"Let them praise His Name with dancing and make music to Him with tambourine and harp. For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds."
Have you sang for joy in your bed? I've sang for joy in my bed, in the shower, as I'm running, as I've danced in my kitchen. This Psalm says to dance and make music with instruments!! It says that the Lord delights in His people. It says he crowns the humble with salvation and that the saints rejoice in this HONOR and will sing in their beds. I love singing, making music, and dancing. Like I've written and said before, worship is a total body, mind, and emotion experience...but it is more than an experience. It is an act not based on what it accomplishes for me. It is in response to the work of God in my heart and my life. My heart LEAPS when God proves His love and faithfulness to me in ways I know only He knows. My heart LEAPS for joy when I can see His work in my heart...when the selfishness leaves, the pride leaves, and instead I'm left with humble awe at the work of His hands. Have you experienced this before? When there is no fear...just trust left in its place. God, the ultimate provider! He provides so perfectly and God longs for us to fully trust His provision...to not worry or doubt Him. Matthew 6:25-33. Do we really believe, in the age of everything-at-our-finger-tips, that God is still our provider? Do we believe, in the age of grocery stores or everything-else-you'd-ever-need grocery stores? Do I still believe in God my provider? Do we seek to steward well what He's given us? Do we seek His wisdom and His kingdom first?
If I can sing for joy in my bed, if I can delight in the honor of being chosen and saved and delighted in by God, I can not be fearful or worried at the same time. Is it possible? I don't find myself experiencing those two things at the same time.
God you are perfectly holy, loving, gracious, just, righteous, merciful, and you have honored us with salvation through Jesus Christ. I praise your Holy Name and sing songs and dance before YOU today. I will sing songs of joy in my bed tonight, tomorrow, and forevermore.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Be still...really.
This morning the plan was to sleep in, work a little in the yard, go to church, and work more outside and inside. Work, work, work. About 10:30 we decided to quit and get ready for church, and then something happened that caused all of the plans to halt. No church, no more work. It's in these moments, in the past, that I've fallen apart and have had a hard time acknowledging reality. The reality was that we have been going non-stop for forever the past several weeks, and that we really needed church to be us ministering to ourselves as a family. Well, that's what happened. And it refreshed our souls and rejuvenated our bodies. Well, that's a brighter picture actually than what happened. I do think we all took a breath. I am reminded again, of Exodus 14:14. God sees the bigger picture and is at work if we will only be still. Striving to accomplish our plan, or even our interpretation of God's plan, will just cause us frustrated exhaustion. So thankful that Jesus reminds me again that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). I'll take it!
How do you see God working on your behalf as you've stilled your strivings?
How do you see God working on your behalf as you've stilled your strivings?
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Surrender, Pt 2
Psalm 27:1-2
"The Lord is my light and my salvation–
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life–
of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 57:1
"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in your my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed."
Psalm 87 (Beautiful Psalm speaking of God's establishment and love for Zion and the people who were born there. I think this has connections to these other Psalms, but I have too little understanding.)
Psalm 117
"Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples, for great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 147
This is a beautiful, majestic Psalm with declarations of all that God has done (God never changes, therefore, will continue to do). It begins...
"Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him!"
and it ends...
"He has revealed His word to Jacob, and His laws and decrees to Israel. He has done this for no other nation; they do not know His laws. Praise the Lord."
It has been interesting to see these Psalms, every day, come together in themes. Usually there are several themes, and usually the Lord brings one to the forefront for me. When I first read these Wednesday evening, I noticed that each one mentioned music. Until now I don't remember there being that consistently a pattern specific to music. That caught my attention and I figured I would write about music. This morning though my attention was brought to WHY we would be brought to a place of worship, and worship with music. To me, singing or playing worship music is a full body, mind, and emotion surrender to the Lord. So often I turn it on when I am feeling low or my mind or emotions are struggling. If I'm willing to acknowledge I don't have it all together, and in fact I don't have anything together, the Lord sweeps in and His throne and kingship is established in my heart once again. His truth penetrates. I think of all those Psalms which speak of the Lord having His way with my enemies. There are certainly no physical enemies, but we know that our struggle isn't against flesh and blood (Romans 8).
As I read this morning I think about what it looks like when I love the Lord with all of the heart, mind, and soul, and my neighbor as myself (the greatest commandment as declared by Jesus Himself, Matthew 22:36-40). What does it look like to have God as my light and my salvation, and the stronghold of my life? WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?!? To me this feels like a serious culmination of, who do I place my trust in, whom do I worship, and to whom to I surrender all of myself? I acknowledge, now, out loud, that God's wisdom and thoughts are higher than anything I could conjure up in my little dust person brain (dust person...credit to Anne Graham Lotz). God is my Creator, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Healer, my Provider (there's more). He has declared this of Himself, and I declare it of Him. He has done it. I can look at each one of these Psalms and say, "Yes! God has done THESE THINGS in my life." As I have declared that my wisdom has run out in a certain situation, as I've FULLY rested in a certain circumstance, as I've simply walked one step behind Him in obedience to all the little tedious things, God has worked on my behalf. He has given wisdom, He has worked out circumstances, He has provided moments in which to declare things on my mind, He has truly shown Himself faithful to His promise to work on my behalf while I have kept still (Ex. 14:14).
In this blog I set out to simply declare the praises of God. 1 Peter 2:9, Eph 1. He has done these great things. I am simply observer, and sometimes participant, in the mighty works of God in my life and in others.
And this, this is where the praises of God will reside. It is to extol His Name, for it is a Name which is above every Name. At this Name, the Name of Jesus, every knee will bow, every tongue confess, that Jesus is Lord. (Phil 2:9-11). He is my light, my salvation, my stronghold, and my only hope. Jesus, the Lamb who was slain. He will receive my praise, my life.
Praise Jesus!
"The Lord is my light and my salvation–
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life–
of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 57:1
"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in your my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed."
Psalm 87 (Beautiful Psalm speaking of God's establishment and love for Zion and the people who were born there. I think this has connections to these other Psalms, but I have too little understanding.)
Psalm 117
"Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples, for great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 147
This is a beautiful, majestic Psalm with declarations of all that God has done (God never changes, therefore, will continue to do). It begins...
"Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him!"
and it ends...
"He has revealed His word to Jacob, and His laws and decrees to Israel. He has done this for no other nation; they do not know His laws. Praise the Lord."
It has been interesting to see these Psalms, every day, come together in themes. Usually there are several themes, and usually the Lord brings one to the forefront for me. When I first read these Wednesday evening, I noticed that each one mentioned music. Until now I don't remember there being that consistently a pattern specific to music. That caught my attention and I figured I would write about music. This morning though my attention was brought to WHY we would be brought to a place of worship, and worship with music. To me, singing or playing worship music is a full body, mind, and emotion surrender to the Lord. So often I turn it on when I am feeling low or my mind or emotions are struggling. If I'm willing to acknowledge I don't have it all together, and in fact I don't have anything together, the Lord sweeps in and His throne and kingship is established in my heart once again. His truth penetrates. I think of all those Psalms which speak of the Lord having His way with my enemies. There are certainly no physical enemies, but we know that our struggle isn't against flesh and blood (Romans 8).
As I read this morning I think about what it looks like when I love the Lord with all of the heart, mind, and soul, and my neighbor as myself (the greatest commandment as declared by Jesus Himself, Matthew 22:36-40). What does it look like to have God as my light and my salvation, and the stronghold of my life? WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?!? To me this feels like a serious culmination of, who do I place my trust in, whom do I worship, and to whom to I surrender all of myself? I acknowledge, now, out loud, that God's wisdom and thoughts are higher than anything I could conjure up in my little dust person brain (dust person...credit to Anne Graham Lotz). God is my Creator, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Healer, my Provider (there's more). He has declared this of Himself, and I declare it of Him. He has done it. I can look at each one of these Psalms and say, "Yes! God has done THESE THINGS in my life." As I have declared that my wisdom has run out in a certain situation, as I've FULLY rested in a certain circumstance, as I've simply walked one step behind Him in obedience to all the little tedious things, God has worked on my behalf. He has given wisdom, He has worked out circumstances, He has provided moments in which to declare things on my mind, He has truly shown Himself faithful to His promise to work on my behalf while I have kept still (Ex. 14:14).
In this blog I set out to simply declare the praises of God. 1 Peter 2:9, Eph 1. He has done these great things. I am simply observer, and sometimes participant, in the mighty works of God in my life and in others.
And this, this is where the praises of God will reside. It is to extol His Name, for it is a Name which is above every Name. At this Name, the Name of Jesus, every knee will bow, every tongue confess, that Jesus is Lord. (Phil 2:9-11). He is my light, my salvation, my stronghold, and my only hope. Jesus, the Lamb who was slain. He will receive my praise, my life.
Praise Jesus!
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Surrender Doesn't Mean Defeat
Psalm 26:1-3
"Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for Your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.
Psalm 56:1-4
"Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack. My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride. When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
Psalm 86:1-4 (But read the whole thing later)
"Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul."
Psalm 116:1-9
"I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: 'O Lord, save me!' The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simple hearted; when I was in great need, He saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For You, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living."
Psalm 146:1-3 (But PLEASE read the whole thing later)
"Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save."
1 Peter 4:19
"So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."
Today in my study of Psalms I started in chapter 26. I read that and immediately was convicted. I have not led a blameless life. No way. No one has. In the study notes (Ryrie) it says "blameless life...sincerity of purpose and single-hearted devotion, not sinlessness." Okay. Well, sincerity of purpose and single-hearted devotion is definitely something that I crave and want. I thought about the things and desires that are pulling me in all sorts of directions right now. There are several activities I'd love to devote my time to thinking and praying about and DOING, but they have to be put on the back burner because of the things in front of my face that require my time and energy. My attention has been split. My devotion has been split. Now, the verse in 1 Peter. Suffering. There is very little in my life I'd consider suffering, especially when I consider those around the world who lack for so many things, or are being persecuted. No. I'm not suffering. However, to continue doing good does take self-control, patience. It takes saying no to my flesh and saying yes to the Holy Spirit. Surrender. I love how the ESV version states the verse in 1 Peter. Instead of "commit themselves," it uses the verb entrust. We entrust ourselves to our Creator. The Psalms I read today all speak of looking to God, entrusting ourselves to God. It talks about how God listens when we cry and of His trustworthiness, and His faithfulness.
Recently my husband and I have been working on a mammoth project outside. We're clearing out a lot of brush, limbs of trees, ivy, blackberries. It is a hot, dirty, hard job. At first it was very difficult to be motivated to jump in and participate. As I've surrendered to the plan (entrusting my soul to my Creator...that sounds so lofty, so heroic) I have found peace, and I've found that God has provided me with strength to work until the boss says it's quittin' time. I have found that I even have joy in the middle of the sticks, stickers, and dirt. Joy!! It is dirty joy, but joy all the same. Psalms 116 and 146 so perfectly state what my heart encounters when I surrender. I have also found that as I've laid out my desires in ministry, I have peace, knowing that God will work out the details and the timing.
What does surrender look like in your life? What do you get in exchange for trusting God?
"Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for Your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.
Psalm 56:1-4
"Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack. My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride. When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
Psalm 86:1-4 (But read the whole thing later)
"Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul."
Psalm 116:1-9
"I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: 'O Lord, save me!' The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simple hearted; when I was in great need, He saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For You, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living."
Psalm 146:1-3 (But PLEASE read the whole thing later)
"Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save."
1 Peter 4:19
"So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."
Today in my study of Psalms I started in chapter 26. I read that and immediately was convicted. I have not led a blameless life. No way. No one has. In the study notes (Ryrie) it says "blameless life...sincerity of purpose and single-hearted devotion, not sinlessness." Okay. Well, sincerity of purpose and single-hearted devotion is definitely something that I crave and want. I thought about the things and desires that are pulling me in all sorts of directions right now. There are several activities I'd love to devote my time to thinking and praying about and DOING, but they have to be put on the back burner because of the things in front of my face that require my time and energy. My attention has been split. My devotion has been split. Now, the verse in 1 Peter. Suffering. There is very little in my life I'd consider suffering, especially when I consider those around the world who lack for so many things, or are being persecuted. No. I'm not suffering. However, to continue doing good does take self-control, patience. It takes saying no to my flesh and saying yes to the Holy Spirit. Surrender. I love how the ESV version states the verse in 1 Peter. Instead of "commit themselves," it uses the verb entrust. We entrust ourselves to our Creator. The Psalms I read today all speak of looking to God, entrusting ourselves to God. It talks about how God listens when we cry and of His trustworthiness, and His faithfulness.
Recently my husband and I have been working on a mammoth project outside. We're clearing out a lot of brush, limbs of trees, ivy, blackberries. It is a hot, dirty, hard job. At first it was very difficult to be motivated to jump in and participate. As I've surrendered to the plan (entrusting my soul to my Creator...that sounds so lofty, so heroic) I have found peace, and I've found that God has provided me with strength to work until the boss says it's quittin' time. I have found that I even have joy in the middle of the sticks, stickers, and dirt. Joy!! It is dirty joy, but joy all the same. Psalms 116 and 146 so perfectly state what my heart encounters when I surrender. I have also found that as I've laid out my desires in ministry, I have peace, knowing that God will work out the details and the timing.
What does surrender look like in your life? What do you get in exchange for trusting God?
Monday, June 1, 2015
Whom do I worship?
Psalm 25:1
"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God."
Psalm 55:16
"But I call to God, and the Lord saves. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice."
Psalm 85:8-9
"I will listen to what God the Lord will say; He promises peace to His people, HIs saints– but let them not return to folly. Surely His salvation is near those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land."
Psalm 115:2-8
Why do the nations say, "Where is their God?" Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel; feet but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them."
Psalm 145:1-7, 18-21 (God leads us in true worship, recommend this whole Psalm)
"I will exalt You, my God the King; I will praise Your name forever and ever. Every day I will praise You and extol Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of Your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and I will meditate on Your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of Your awesome works, and I will proclaim Your great deeds. They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness."
"The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth will speak in the praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise His holy name forever and ever."
These Psalms prompted me to look at what my heart is pondering the majority of the time, what am I worshipping. Lately, honestly, is the impact of the things I write. I find myself looking to the praises of man. That is the last thing that I ever intended when I began to write consistently. Yet, how easily do I go back to my folly. I am just so human. Pastor Ron, who is now singing praises with the angels and saints, used to say, "If salvation were up to us, we'd never make it." I'm thankful for verses like Ephesians 2:8-9 that tell me it is God's gift and it isn't dependent on anything I could do. It is totally out of my hands. HOWEVER, my heart is brought low when I consider how quickly I treasure things that don't save me, are made by men, cannot speak, cannot see, cannot smell, cannot feel, cannot walk. Which means, God CAN do all of those things, and He invites me to treasure Him; to be sustained, provided for, and brought near to Him! So today I set aside and make plans to treasure and worship my Savior. I set aside those things which are empty, and treasure instead, praise instead, worship instead, SPEAK ABOUT instead, my Savior. His nearness is my good, and according to those last few verses, He is near to all who call on Him. So I call on Him, the One who is worthy, the One who is able to answer.
Lord, I praise you and extol Your great works. I praise YOU that You never change in my ever changing self and world. Be Thou my vision and bind my wandering heart to Thee. I will speak about Your great works so that those around me will say of You, that You have saved me. It is You that has rescued me from harm. It is You that has provided to graciously and abundantly. It is beyond what I expect or deserve. Praise be to Your HOLY NAME.
"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God."
Psalm 55:16
"But I call to God, and the Lord saves. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice."
Psalm 85:8-9
"I will listen to what God the Lord will say; He promises peace to His people, HIs saints– but let them not return to folly. Surely His salvation is near those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land."
Psalm 115:2-8
Why do the nations say, "Where is their God?" Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel; feet but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them."
Psalm 145:1-7, 18-21 (God leads us in true worship, recommend this whole Psalm)
"I will exalt You, my God the King; I will praise Your name forever and ever. Every day I will praise You and extol Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of Your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and I will meditate on Your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of Your awesome works, and I will proclaim Your great deeds. They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness."
"The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth will speak in the praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise His holy name forever and ever."
These Psalms prompted me to look at what my heart is pondering the majority of the time, what am I worshipping. Lately, honestly, is the impact of the things I write. I find myself looking to the praises of man. That is the last thing that I ever intended when I began to write consistently. Yet, how easily do I go back to my folly. I am just so human. Pastor Ron, who is now singing praises with the angels and saints, used to say, "If salvation were up to us, we'd never make it." I'm thankful for verses like Ephesians 2:8-9 that tell me it is God's gift and it isn't dependent on anything I could do. It is totally out of my hands. HOWEVER, my heart is brought low when I consider how quickly I treasure things that don't save me, are made by men, cannot speak, cannot see, cannot smell, cannot feel, cannot walk. Which means, God CAN do all of those things, and He invites me to treasure Him; to be sustained, provided for, and brought near to Him! So today I set aside and make plans to treasure and worship my Savior. I set aside those things which are empty, and treasure instead, praise instead, worship instead, SPEAK ABOUT instead, my Savior. His nearness is my good, and according to those last few verses, He is near to all who call on Him. So I call on Him, the One who is worthy, the One who is able to answer.
Lord, I praise you and extol Your great works. I praise YOU that You never change in my ever changing self and world. Be Thou my vision and bind my wandering heart to Thee. I will speak about Your great works so that those around me will say of You, that You have saved me. It is You that has rescued me from harm. It is You that has provided to graciously and abundantly. It is beyond what I expect or deserve. Praise be to Your HOLY NAME.
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