scents

2 Corinthians 2:14-17 (New International Version)

14But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? 17Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.


--do i have the fragrance of life?

Col 1:3-12

Colossians 1:3-12 (New International Version)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. 7You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our[a] behalf, 8and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Romans 8:38-39

38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

forever safe

Psalm 138

Give Thanks to the LORD

Of David.

1(A) I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
before(B) the gods I sing your praise;
2I bow down(C) toward your(D) holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.[a]
3On the day I called, you answered me;
my strength of soul you increased.[b]
4(E) All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD,
for they have heard the words of your mouth,
5and they shall sing of(F) the ways of the LORD,
for great is the glory of the LORD.
6(G) For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.

7(H) Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you(I) preserve my life;
you(J) stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your(K) right hand delivers me.
8The LORD will(L) fulfill his purpose for me;
(M) your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake(N) the work of your hands.

one for all, all for one

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (English Standard Version)

Divisions in the Church

10I appeal to you, brothers,[a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no(A) divisions among you, but that you be united(B) in the same mind and the same judgment. 11For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is(C) quarreling among you, my brothers. 12What I mean is that(D) each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow(E) Apollos," or "I follow(F) Cephas," or "I follow Christ." 13(G) Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you(H) baptized in the name of Paul? 14I thank God that I baptized none of you except(I) Crispus and(J) Gaius, 15so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16(I did baptize also(K) the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and(L) not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Gen 32:9-12

9And Jacob said,(E) "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who(F) said to me, 'Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,' 10(G) I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. 11Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for(H) I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. 12But(I) you said, 'I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.'"

2 Peter 1:5-15 (English Standard Version)

5For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith(A) with virtue,[a] and virtue(B) with knowledge, 6and knowledge with self-control, and self-control(C) with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7and godliness(D) with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection(E) with love. 8For if these qualities[b] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or(F) unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he(G) is blind, having forgotten that he was(H) cleansed from his former sins. 10Therefore, brothers,[c] be all the more diligent to make your calling and(I) election sure, for if you practice these qualities(J) you will never fall. 11For in this way there will be richly provided for you(K) an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12Therefore I intend(L) always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in(M) the truth that you have. 13I think it right, as long as I am in this(N) body,[d](O) to stir you up by way of reminder, 14(P) since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon,(Q) as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

with the one that I love

“I stopped @ the market tonight in the pouring rain. As I was leaving, a woman who worked there was coming back in with the carts she had collected from the parking lot. She was soaking wet & didn’t even have a jacket on. I made a comment to her about what a rough job she had to do in the rain. She said, ‘No, I’m just walking in the rain with the one that I love.’

I think I’m going to adopt her attitude.”

http://www.dlthornhill.blogspot.com/

Deut 8: 18

You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Psalm 25:7

Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to
your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O
LORD!

According to your steadfast love, LORD, remember me.
Not my sins.
Neither the sins of youthful ignorance and arrogance,
Nor the willful transgressions.
Thank you, God, that you separate sinner and sin.
Thank you for forgiving both what I do out of not knowing any better,
and what I do even though I know better.
Trusting you requires dealing with my sin, and God I'm afraid of
judgment whenever I draw near.
But you show a mercy that I don't understand -- you show me that your
judgment and justice are satisfied.
I don't deserve this life of trust and faith, I acknowledge my sin and
claim your mercy.

"Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,
Your sins have hidden his face from you."
Isaiah 59:2

LORD I long to see your face.

Luke 15:7

There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

Romans 3:19-26

justified

-   by his grace

-   as a gift

-   through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

praise God!

John 14:12-14

Jesus says to his disciples before he goes up to heaven: "Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

something I read...

"God is a God of total nonsense. And we sit and chart and graph and replay, trying to make sense out of life and the things He’s given us. We formulate and hypothesize.

But here’s the thing: we’re foolish.
God—In all His amazing love—is incomprehensible.
HE DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.

So, if sin-nature is the parts of us that are most un-holy and wrong, making sense of life can be a sin. Trying to know why is often a pride things, whether we know it or not.
We are taking God’s equation and coming out with our own outcome."

Treasures in Jars of Clay

2 Corinthians:

Several things I took away from this chapter:

"On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 and even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake"

^ this passage reminded me that we should not try to make the gospel falsely appealing when talking to others. We should not try to preach the "Prosperity Gospel." If our frank depiction of what Christianity truly is does not interest someone, we should still not try to distort it. (Of course, like Konny said, we should always emphasis the hope that we have in Him and the joy that comes with a relationship with God.)

"7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

^My student NIV interprets this verse this way: "Where would you keep expensive jewelry? You would want a safe, secure place, not a cardboard box. Yet this image comes close to the one Paul used to describe his ministry: "Jars of clay." In his day jars were as common as cardboard boxes are today. The treasure Paul refers to is the incredible message of the gospel: God's good news of forgiveness and the promise of life forever. Yet, amazingly God chose to enclose that treasure in people who are lie "jars of clay." Clay jars are ordinary and highly breakable, and Paul tells us he is both. An immortal God chooses mere humans as his personal representatives."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (English Standard Version)

The Coming of the Lord

13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep,(A) that you may not grieve as others do(B) who have no hope. 14For(C) since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him(D) those who have fallen asleep. 15For this we declare to you(E) by a word from the Lord,[a] that(F) we who are alive, who are left until(G) the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For(H) the Lord himself will descend(I) from heaven(J) with a cry of command, with the voice of(K) an archangel, and(L) with the sound of the trumpet of God. And(M) the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive, who are left, will be(N) caught up together with them(O) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so(P) we will always be with the Lord. 18Therefore encourage one another with these words.

2 Corinth 1:21-22

"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."

hmm

Amos 5:21-27 (New International Version)

21 "I hate, I despise your religious feasts;
I cannot stand your assemblies.

22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, [a]
I will have no regard for them.

23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.

24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!

25 "Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings
forty years in the desert, O house of Israel?

26 You have lifted up the shrine of your king,
the pedestal of your idols,
the star of your god [b]—
which you made for yourselves.

27 Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,"
says the LORD, whose name is God Almighty.

God is here

Luke 4:16-21 (New International Version)

16He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."[a]

20Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Blessed! Jeremiah 17:5-9

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

praise

Revelation 5:8-14 (New International Version)

8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth."

11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!"

13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!" 14The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

i forgot yesterday but here's today's

Mark 7

Clean and Unclean

1The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and 2saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were "unclean," that is, unwashed. 3(The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.[a])
5So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?"

6He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
" 'These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
7They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.'[b] 8You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."

9And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe[c] your own traditions! 10For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,'[d] and, 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'[e] 11But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban' (that is, a gift devoted to God), 12then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. 13Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

what do you think of this quote?

something I came across when I was reading a blog written by a student at Moody:

"When the fear of man creeps into your mindset you begin to treat some men as gods and some men as scum."

Surely we're all guilty of this. But does it stem from the fear of man, or just our pride, or both?

Psalm 33: 13-18

"From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth-- he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love"

and Psalm 27:4-5

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock."

Isaiah 61.10

 ¹⁰I will greatly rejoice in the LORD;
   my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
   he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
   and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Deut 6:5

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

in context

2 Peter 1:16-21 (New International Version)

16We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."[a] 18We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

19And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 27:1 THE SIN AND FOLLY OF DEPENDING ON FUTURE TIME

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

authenticity

2 Corinthians 6:3-11 (New International Version)

Paul's Hardships

3We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.

acts 17

thanks Grace!

a chance

Acts 17:16-31 (New International Version)

In Athens

16While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean." 21(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
22Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.

24"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'

29"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill. 30In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

Mark 1

Psalm 40

40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is the man who makes
the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.

Hope

Romans 5:5

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

He loves us!!

“Ah, but there is a Creator of this universe. He made this beautiful jewel and hung it up in the blackness of space. With purpose and logic, He set life in motion. And He came to this dot of a planet to walk among us so that we might walk with Him forever and have peace. Insignificant? You may not feel important in the eyes of the world or to those who pass by, but you are significant to the Creator of the universe. God has done this for you.”

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:4

to Christ

John 6:53-69 (New International Version)

53Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." 59He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit[a] and they are life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."

66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

67"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.

68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

James 1:9-11

9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

Psalm 37

verse 23-24
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.

Psalm 119

Lamedh
89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.
94 Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your statutes.
96 To all perfection I see a limit;
but your commands are boundless.

Mem
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.

Remembering our chains

Remember your chains
Remember the prison that once held you
Before the love of God broke through
Remember the place you were without grace
When you see where you are now
Remember your chains
And remember your chains are gone

There's no one more thankful to sit at the table
Than the one who best remembers hunger's pain
And no heart loves greater than the one that is able
To recall the time when all it knew was the shame
The wings of forgiveness can take us to heights never seen
But the wisest ones, they will never lose sight of where they were set free
Love set them free

So remember your chains
Remember the prison that once held you
Before the love of God broke through
Remember the place you were without grace
When you see where you are now
Remember your chains
And remember your chains are gone

And in the light of all that we've been forgiven of
We will find our hearts fuller and freer
To give and receive God's love

-----------------

"Though God has forgiven and forgotten your past sins, yet don't
forget them yourself" -- Jonathan Edwards

Without remembering how chained I was, I won't quite know how free I
am in God's grace. I go between two extremes of being super hard on
myself and being super lenient...

May we learn to forgive ourselves as God forgives us.
May we hold nothing which God has already forgiven us of against ourselves.
May we live freely, aware of and in need of God's grace. Daily.

Monday - Psalm 34
Tuesday - Psalm 35, Philippians 4, Ruth 1&2
Wednesday - Psalm 36, Proverbs 31

who do i tell?

A clerk who helped me purchase a small digital voice recorder told me that he kept one just like it in his car when he worked in California. “When I began driving home after work I switched it on,” he said, “and I talked about everything that happened that day on the job, good and bad. When I pulled into my driveway, I hit the erase button.” Then he smiled. After telling everything to his voice recorder, he apparently had no need to go over the day’s problems with his wife or family.
--our daily bread

Psalm 62

1 Corinthians 4

6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

Do not be afraid

Isaiah 43

Israel's Only Savior

1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush [a] and Seba in your stead.

4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you,
and people in exchange for your life.

5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.

6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!'
and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.'
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth-

7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."

8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.

9 All the nations gather together
and the peoples assemble.
Which of them foretold this
and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
so that others may hear and say, "It is true."

10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD,
"and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.

11 I, even I, am the LORD,
and apart from me there is no savior.

12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God.

13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?"

Faithfulness

"It was a stormy night in Birmingham, England, and the famous missionary, Hudson Taylor, was to speak at a meeting at the Seven Street schoolroom. His hostess assured him that nobody would attend on such a stormy night, but Taylor insisted on going. “I must go even if there is no one but the doorkeeper.” As it turned out, less than a dozen people showed up, but the meeting was marked with unusual spiritual power. Half of those present either became missionaries or gave their children as missionaries; and the rest were faithful supporters of the China Inland Mission for years to come.
Hudson Taylor was committed to serving the Savior regardless of names (who showed up) or numbers (how many showed) or the nature of the situation (stormy conditions) and God honored his faithfulness. In previous studies we have discussed endurance and courage, but at the center of each is faithfulness to continue on in spite of the circumstances."

http://bible.org/seriespage/mark-14-faithfulness

Psalm 130

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.

only one

Galatians 1:3-10 (New International Version)

3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

No Other Gospel

6I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
10Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

Psalm 119 , Pe

Your statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant,
longing for your commands.
Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your
name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of men,
that I may obey your precepts.
Make your face shine upon your servant
and teach me your decrees.
Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
for your law is not obeyed.

By faith

Hebrews 11:24-34 (New International Version)

24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea[a] as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

31By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[b]

32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

Psalm 119

"Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path."

John 13:34-35

34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

1 John 4

rev

Revelation 19:1-9 (New International Version)

Revelation 19

Hallelujah!

1After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:
"Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2for true and just are his judgments.
He has condemned the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.
He has avenged on her the blood of his servants." 3And again they shouted:
"Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever."
4The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:
"Amen, Hallelujah!"

5Then a voice came from the throne, saying:
"Praise our God,
all you his servants,
you who fear him,
both small and great!"

6Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
"Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
8Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

9Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God."

Job

"You will call and I will answer. You will long for the creature your hands have made" (Job 14:15).



thanks for the link, Esther!

Philippians 4, again

Light

Philippians 2:12-18 (New International Version)

Shining as Stars

12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[a] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Genesis 44, Mark 14

Judas offers his life in substitution for his brother in Genesis 44... out of remorse? guilt?

Jesus Christ in Mark 14 offers his life in perfect obedience to the Father and perfect love to the guilty.

I am forgiven forgiven forgiven and died for!

What have I forfeited by my unbelief?

Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. --Matthew 13:58

on plans

James 4:13-17 (New International Version)

Boasting About Tomorrow

13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

Write your plans in pencil and let God have the eraser. -- ODB

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You Will Call, I Will Answer - http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/You-Will-Call-I-Will-Answer?offset=5&max=1

Job 14:15 "You will call and I will answer. You will long for the creature your hands have made."

Patheos.com - Elevating and enriching the global conversation on religion and spirituality

the eternal perspective

Luke 12:13-21 (New International Version)

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
14Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" 15Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

16And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'

18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '

20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'

21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

Psalm 34
Jesus be the center
Draw me close to you
Philippians 4

Colossians 3

something to chew on pt2

An important part of praying is a willingness to be part of the answer.

...Hmm sometimes I pray and I think I expect an answer from God to just kind of show up and surprise me, but that probably shouldn't ever be the case. But nevertheless...

In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. —Philippians 4:6

Isaiah 43:1-7 -- Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you. I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my namy, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.

something to chew on

"There is nothing that makes us love a person so much as prayer for them." -William Law

patience

God has so much. I have so little.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Esther 1-2, Joshua 4-6

STAND UP & BE BOLD for we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, in His blood.

priorities

too much of a good thing can be a bad thing too

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Edwards

A really good read

Marks of Maturity: Biblical Characteristics of a Christian Leader http://bible.org/series/marks-maturity-biblical-characteristics-christian-leader

Self-significance

"Writing about man’s obsession with significance and the problems this causes, Stowell, in his excellent and thought-provoking book, Perilous Pursuits, Our Obsession With Significance, writes: “We are built for significance. Our problem is not that we search for it, but that we search for it in all the wrong places…”62
True significance is never secured through our efforts or by our status or recognition or from the applause of men or by the attention and affirmation of others. Instead, true significance is founded and secured for us through the finished work of Christ on the cross. Even with this being true, we somehow feel compelled to magnify ourselves or seek to be magnified by others in search of significance through the various methods or human strategies man attempts to use. These include people’s incessant scramble up the proverbial ladder for position, power, praise, applause, recognition, possessions, etc. Ironically, like broken cisterns that hold no water (Jer. 2:13), such things never satisfy our cravings for significance no matter how much we have of the things we seek? Because the source is wrong and contrary to our intended purpose by God who created us, the craving for more will always exist whether it’s power or praise or money.
None of us is exempt from this significance pursuit, to the point where the pursuit often become a significance obsession. Our problem is that we look for significance in all the wrong places. We pursue prosperity, power, position, belonging, identity, and affirmation in hopes of finally securing a sense of value and worth.
To make matters worse, this pursuit is complicated by three basic drives: pleasure, pride, and passion.…63
In other words, and this is the point with regard to self-control, man’s obsession with significance forms a tremendous obstacle to self-control and the joyous life and rest God wants us to have in Christ. Actually, the pursuit of significance, like a match in a dry forest, fuels passion, pleasure, and pride. In our quest for significance, our fundamental and God-given desires are fanned into a blazing flame or action. Believing that a BMW, a mansion with a view, or one’s name in lights will give status or prominence in the community, we desire more and more, and bigger and better. Because we were created for significance, we are all inherently driven by a compelling need to believe that we are significant to some degree. As R. C Sproul says, “We are driven to believe that in some way we are important. This inner drive is as intense as our need for water and oxygen.”64 Feeling significant comes as we believe we have worth, value, and dignity. Significance is knowing that our existence has made a difference after all. It doesn’t have to be a great difference, just a difference. Significance is what makes a pat on the back so important. It’s why affirmation is so vital. We believe we count when someone says we count. Having value and dignity are important, but depending on how we seek them, we can be deluded and consumed by the search."

Question: Christians are supposed to find their self-worth in what Christ has done for them and in their identity as children of God. What exactly do these things mean? I know I'm a child of God, but knowing and believing this with my head doesn't really do much... How is this supposed to give a person self-worth?

A few questions in response to Bible.org's article on self-control

"1 Pet. 1:13 Therefore, get your minds ready for action, by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
(3) “Set your hope fully” (NIV) or “set your hope completely” (NET). With this imperative, we come to the primary emphasis and responsibility of Peter’s exhortations. By way of word order and thus emphasis, the Greek text has, “completely hope…” “Completely” is the adverb teleios, “fully, perfectly, completely, altogether, unreservedly.” It is a call for an undivided, single-minded hope, a confident expectation that lives daily in view of the return of the Lord and the eternal realities promised in Scripture that accompany salvation. Though Peter has already spoken of the Savior’s return and the accompanying ultimate stage of salvation (vss. 5, 7, 9), he now speaks of it literally as “the grace that is being brought to you.” First, he speaks of this ultimate salvation by the wonderful expression, “the grace.” Peter could have spoken of this as the salvation or inheritance or future glory, but by the term, “the grace” he not only speaks of all that God has done for us, but reminds us that no aspect of our salvation, past, present, or future is ever earned. It is the gift of God, freely given and this applies even to the rewards that are given for faithfulness. Why? Because is it only God’s grace that enables us to serve faithfully. Second, “brought” is a present adjectival participle which describes our future salvation as so certain that it is viewed as already on the way. "

--Q: when Peter says we should live daily looking toward the return of Christ, do we really have to do that? For some reason I've viewed it as a copout for not doing the things you need to do. Sure, I guess people who live each day for the return of Christ must be pretty humble people, but must we always go around so depressed about the fallen world, etc etc? I mean, it is a fallen world, but I've always believed it's better to go out and help people and evangelize or something rather than be like, "Oh this world is lost, I must only find fulfillment in Christ's return." Yes, I think that we should only find fulfillment in Christ, but not necessarily in His return...

"Our new life in Christ by grace through faith is designed to produce good works for which we were recreated in Christ (Eph. 28-10). But as the Savior warned in Mark 4:19 in the parable of the soil, the sower, and the seed, “the cares of life, the deceit of wealth and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it produces nothing.” Whatever draws our desires and affections away from Christ and His kingdom will of necessity become our master and control our lives. Sober Christian living is not random nor does it live for the moment as does the world, rather it lives with an undivided hope because it recognizes this world is passing away and everything in it."

--Q: I'm realizing now that this is a battle of wills. Does good Christian living have to be so sober? Perhaps it is just my pride and my unwillingness to take myself and my desires and ambitions off the pedestal and replace them with the Cross... I've always wanted to live an extraordinary life, or at least an exciting or significant one. I guess I've been telling myself that if I live for Christ, I can do really great and exciting things through the Holy Spirit. While this isn't necessarily wrong, I should be ready to accept that a life truly for Christ may very well be a life of little worldly significance (it might be boring too, or at least not what I've wanted my life to be). It will be a life of true humility, intense suffering, of taking up one's own cross. I guess I've never considered this. I never really knew the costs of following Christ because I'd been telling myself that my desires were actually God's desires for me. This goes with something that PB told me the other day: he told me to stop trying to make things happen the way I wanted them to happen. I guess I had so many desires, which led to impatience, disappointment, and lack of self-control. I just need to let go of all my worldly desires, to be willing to settle for Christ, even if it means I lose everything else. How demanding... honestly it's so difficult to even consider this!

Psalm 42

As the deer pant for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.

Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why so distrubed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

walks

“My walk on the moon lasted 3 days and it was a great adventure, but my walk with God lasts forever.”

Genesis 38; Mark 8

 

 

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Genesis 38; Mark 8; Job 4; Romans 8

via For the Love of God by D.A. Carson on 2/4/10

Genesis 38; Mark 8; Job 4; Romans 8

UNDER QUESTIONING, the disciples confess who Jesus is (Mark 8:27-30). Christ is the Greek form of Messiah, which has a Hebrew background. This confession triggers a flood of fresh revelation from the Lord Jesus (8:31-38). Now he teaches that the Son of Man "must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again" (8:31). As Mark points out, Jesus "spoke plainly about this" (8:32). Apparently earlier comment on the subject was far more veiled.

Living as we do on this side of the cross, it is easy for us to be a bit condescending about Peter's reaction and rebuke of the Master (8:32). From Peter's perspective, Jesus simply had to be wrong on this subject. After all, Messiahs don't get killed: they win. And how could a God-anointed, miracle-working Messiah like Jesus lose? Peter was wrong, of course, profoundly wrong. For even the disciples had not yet grasped that Jesus the Messiah was simultaneously conquering King and Suffering Servant.

But there was more to come. Not only did Jesus insist that he himself was going to suffer and die and rise again, but he also insisted that each of his followers "must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (8:34). To a first-century ear, such language was shocking. "To take up your cross" did not mean putting up with a toothache, job loss, or personal disability. Crucifixion was universally viewed as the most barbaric of Roman forms of execution, scarcely to be mentioned in polite company. The condemned criminal "picked up his cross," i.e., picked up the cross-member and carried it to the place of execution. If it was your lot to pick up your cross, there was no hope for you. There was only an ignominious and excruciating death.

Yet that is the language Jesus uses. For what all of his disciples must learn is that to be a follower of Jesus entails a painful renunciation of self-interest and a wholehearted turn to Jesus' interests. Yet Jesus' blunt language is not an invitation to spiritual masochism, but to life and bounty. For it is an infallible rule of the kingdom that self-focus issues in death, while "whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it" (8:35). Only for a few will this commitment entail loss of physical life; for all of us it means death to self, discipleship to Jesus. And that includes a glad confession of Jesus, and principled refusal to be ashamed of Jesus and his words in this adulterous and sinful generation (8:38).

Genesis 38; Mark 8; Job 4; Romans 8 is a post from: For the Love of God

 

 

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Trees

In this day and age...impatience often overwhelms. It's easy to forget that growth takes endless time...and well trees take a really long time to become a sturdy tree.

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. —Psalm 1:3

Psalm 119; I Offer My Life

25 My soul clings to the dust;
give me life according to your word!
26 When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes!
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
29 Put false ways far from me
and graciously teach me your law!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me.
31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
let me not be put to shame!
32 I will run in the way of your commandments
when you enlarge my heart!

I Offer My Life:
All that I am, all that I have
I lay them down before you, oh Lord
All my regrets, all my acclaims
The joy and the pain, I'm making them yours

Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life

Things in the past, things yet unseen
Wishes and dreams that are yet to come true
All of my heart, alll of my praise
My heart and my hands are lifted to you

Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through
Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to you
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life

Philippians 3:17-21

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

know to do. want to do. don't do

Colossians 3

Rules for Holy Living

¹Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

⁵Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.⁶Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. ⁷You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. ¹¹Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

John 20

Nehemiah 10-13

James 1:22

When I study God’s Word, my first question should not be, “What am I going to say about this?” but “What am I going to do about this?” — David C. McCasland

Philippians 3: 12-15

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way...

Being mature is not being perfect, but knowing that we're not yet perfect at all because of the fallen nature of this world contaminated with sin. Also, being mature means pursuing Jesus Christ, to know him more and more with faith and with works, despite the sin that besets us time and time again in this life.

Nehemiah 7-9

Psalm 131

And then some days these haughty eyes and this proud heart catalyze destruction. Carnage that necessitates healing so in a way it's not so bad...

But it wasn't mine to break. It isn't mine to fix.

I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.

Everything?

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Phil 4:13

I suppose Paul was saying this in a particular context, but it seems that many people use this quote in different contexts. What exactly does Paul's statement mean? For example, today I prayed to God that He would help me be more diligent with my studies. I know I can be pretty lazy, but I really want to change this about myself. I know that God detests sluggards! And I told myself that I could do this, if only He would give me the strength. Of course, I know that if God wants to, He can give me the strength, but who is to say that He will? I suppose I need to keep praying.

Also, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" Phil 3:13-14

Recently my mother told me that in order to reach my "goal," which is Jesus, I need to do two things: 1) Continually seek to know Him, 2) Fulfill my duty as a student and put all my energy and effort into my studies.
I've been really confused about this dichotomy-- Just everyday choices I have to make. For instance, if I had to choose between spending a few hours helping out a friend in great need, or studying for a test the day, what should I do? That's kind of a bad example, but... If you had to choose between doing your duty as a student for God, and "being Jesus" to someone, what would God want you to do? Am I thinking too far into it? Sometimes I feel like I'm trying to be too kind or too holy, at the expense of my own good, and at the expense of wisdom (I think I'm foolish). And yet, didn't Jesus call us to be like children, who love and believe without a selfish thought? Who is better in Jesus' eyes: the wise holy person or the rather foolish and naive child who, though without much reason and rationality, is able to love and serve others precisely because of his naivety?

hey girls, i wanted to let you know that i've been having issues with posting comments to people's entries. also, posting on this blog with you guys has been very helpful and a blessing to me so far, thank you for posting with me :) at this upcoming sg, during our break-out time after the all-together bible study, let's discuss our qt posts too!

Genesis 32; Mark 5

and a random song

When You lead me to the valley of vision I can see You in the heights And though my humbling wouldn't be my decision It's here Your glory shines so bright So let me learn that the cross precedes the crown To be low is to be high That the valley's where You make me more like Christ

Let me find Your grace in the valley
Let me find Your life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow
Your wealth in my need
That You're near with every breath
In the valley

In the daytime there are stars in the heavens
But they only shine at night
And the deeper that I go into darkness
The more I see their radiant light
So let me learn that my losses are my gain
To be broken is to heal
That the valley's where Your power is revealed

point to ponder

"Who is this who even forgives sins?"

Philippians 3: 7-11

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

ESV study bible note: The goal of trusting in Christ is to know him, that is, to know Christ in a personal relationship, and also to know the power of his resurrection -- namely, the power Christ exerts now from the right hand of God. But this power is made known as the believer shares the same kind of sufferings Jesus face -- the sufferings that attend faithful witness in a fallen world. The good news is that those who suffer with and for Christ will attain the resurrection from the dead, even as he did.

Nehemiah 1-6 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

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Yay! no excuse

Genesis 33; Mark 4

After explaining the parable of the soils/Sower, Jesus retreats with his disciples. A storm rises on the Sea but Jesus is fast asleep. When the disciples panic and wake him, Jesus rebukes the storm.

A line from one of my favorite hymns says "Be still my soul, the winds and waves still know His voice that ruled them while He dwelt below." Although I'm without the immediate private (Mark 4:34) counseling presence of Jesus' person in the flesh, He still answers my every "...do you not care...?" (4:38) with "Have you still no faith?"

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Genesis 33:10 For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me.

What is this?? At first telling someone their face is god-like seems like something that can only be said in vain flattery. But empty praise is inconsistent with Jacob's posture in the preceding verses. Plus, Jacob actually had seen the face of God before so he probably didn't say these words lightly. What was it about Esau's disposition that recalled the face of God to Jacob's mind? Esau was now dealing graciously and mercifully with Jacob... Perhaps in seeing a smiling, welcoming, kissy (fell on his neck) face where Jacob knew he deserved only an I'm-gonna-kill-you face, Jacob knew he was looking upon the Lord's favor.

1 Corinthians 4:4-5

Here Paul says that his "conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the apointed time; wait till the Lord comes."

He says that he does not even judge himself.
How often do we go around judging ourselves? I certainly do. "Oh, I am so sinful, I am so wicked, so foolish..." etc.

But I must remember that I am a child of God, his "treasured possession." No matter what people tell us, we are the apple of His eye.

However, it's so difficult to have confidence in oneself and one's identity in Christ! It's so difficult to remain strong and joyful when one is rejected by people, disliked. Even the nonchalance of a single person throws me off and gets me anxious. How to deal?

Joy

^{Romans 15:13}May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Genesis 32; Mark 3

Along with more regular QT's I'm also trying to sleep more. And more regularly.

Genesis 32 challenges me. When I am in need (of God) I don't always recognize that my need is for God. And when I have realized this, I have twisted "belief" that it is God who saves/works/establishes into an excuse for inaction. But waiting on God is diligent and active, as Jacob demonstrates in his plan... sending waves of gifts ahead of his family to appease Esau... while posturing himself in humility and dependence before God. Waiting for God is not lazy and passive. It might even resemble wrestling.

Ezra & Nehemiah

I reviewed Ezra all over again, and then started Nehemiah and read about its historical context.

My thought of the day (largely inspired by PB's sermon): If you stay in a comfortable, secure place, you will lose it ALL and forever live enslaved to the world. A passive attitude and lifestyle will not protect you from danger, but rather condemns you...That's scary stuff!

During my QT, I faced a couple of problems. I was wondering if you guys had any strategies to help solve the following issues:
-falling asleep or zoning out during prayer
-the temptation to simply rush through intercessory prayer in order to pray for as many people as possible, but only superficially

everything ties together

God put us in this darkened world
To shine as sons of light;
So, help us, Lord, to spread Your Word
And keep our witness bright. —D. De Haan

today's QT's reminded me of PB's sermon, sort of. lights risk being seen as long (as long as it's not purposely hiding in something). question of the day...am i willing to take the risk?

i just realized that our website's url is http://ufofemmes.blogspot.com/! hahahahah, ESTHER.

the Spirit

HI Konny, I left a comment on your post!

1 Corinthians 3

Here Paul talks about God's Spirit living inside of us. Although I hear it constantly, I never really understood this. What exactly does the Spirit inside us do? And if the Spirit is inside of us, how come we still sin?

Philippians 4

Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

- Do not be anxious about anything
- Pray with a thankful heart
- There is much to rejoice about in Christ

Better late than never...

Matthew 25: 1-13, "The Parable of the Ten Virgins"
-being prepared for the Second Coming of Christ
-not missing out on the opportunity to grow deeper with my relationship with God

Gen 31 & Mark 2

Joy is not "Gush"

By Amy Carmichael, missionary

Thunder clouds are nothing to the Spirit of Joy. The only special reference to the joy of the Holy Spirit is bound up with words "severe suffering":

...in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message [of fellowship with Jesus Christ] with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 1 Thess. 1:6

Joy is not gush.
Joy is not mere jolliness.
Joy is perfect acquiescence - acceptance, rest - in God's will, whatever comes. And that is so, only for the soul who delights himself in God.

Jesus, our Lord, took God as His God as well as His Father, and that brought Him to say His delight was "to do the will of him who sent me" (John 6:38) - even though that meant the cross, and such agony as no man has ever known. To do the will of God cost Him blood. It cost Him blood.

Accept for yourself the Fatherhood of God, which is only possible for you and me because of the sacrifice of the blessed Son our Savior. And by the presence of the Holy Spirit within, you will learn to rejoice in the will of God, and nothing else...

This, then, is the call to the soul that would ascend above all earthly circumstance, to walk in heavenly places: Leave yourself open to the circumstances of His choice, for that is perfect acceptance, and rest in the will of God.

If you do so, you are not a fool - you are in the company of the brave!

For accepting the will of God in this way, "You become imitators of us," Paul writes, "and of the Lord" (1 Thess 1:6).

Are you following in their path?

Amy Carmichael, Gold by Moonlight pp. 74-75