I read about Jacob's life, how it is so hard for Jacob to deal honestly with others. He has deceived his father in such a blatant manner in stealing his brother Esau's blessing, then had to leave to go to Uncle Laban (Genesis 27).
Then he, in turn, is deceived by Laban in marrying Leah who he expected to be Rachel (29:21-25), and it seems that Jacob's relationship with Laban is full of mistrust.
When it is time to return home, Jacob steals away while Laban is away from home (31:20). But God has been dealing with Jacob all through these years, and now He even appears to Laban in a dream, telling him to, "leave Jacob alone!" (v. 24). God is so concerned for Jacob, and takes such careful care of him, even in his weaknesses.
And still, when Jacob hears that Esau is coming to meet him with an army, he's terrified (32:6-7). So he divides up his family and possessions, and that night he wrestles with the Angel of the Lord, Who gives him a new name, Israel (vs. 24-30). Now he knows that God really is his God, not just the God of his father and grandfather.
God is also careful to take good care of me. He doesn't "appear" to me, because His Spirit lives in me! His plans for me are what I see being worked out day by day, and they are a tiny part of His grand Plan of the Ages.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
The Light Of Understanding
Matthew 13: 12
Jesus, in explaining the Parable if the Soils, tells His disciples, To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.
How serious are the ramifications of heeding or ignoring God's Word! His Word is Truth that sets us free; it is Light that dispels the darkness. To ignore it is to bring upon ourselves a deepening spiritual, mental, and psychological darkness; to allow ourselves to slip into the quicksand quagmire of bondage. How black-and-white Truth really is, with no grey area at all!
May we all take God seriously, never brushing off His revelations of Truth in even the small details of our lives. It's all the little things that build into the big things of life.
God is serious with us; we need to take Him at His Word. Otherwise we will find ourselves slipping down that steep slope to oblivion and destruction, away from all light, all good, all beauty.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Jesus, in explaining the Parable if the Soils, tells His disciples, To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.
How serious are the ramifications of heeding or ignoring God's Word! His Word is Truth that sets us free; it is Light that dispels the darkness. To ignore it is to bring upon ourselves a deepening spiritual, mental, and psychological darkness; to allow ourselves to slip into the quicksand quagmire of bondage. How black-and-white Truth really is, with no grey area at all!
May we all take God seriously, never brushing off His revelations of Truth in even the small details of our lives. It's all the little things that build into the big things of life.
God is serious with us; we need to take Him at His Word. Otherwise we will find ourselves slipping down that steep slope to oblivion and destruction, away from all light, all good, all beauty.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, September 18, 2017
The Foolish And Wise Woman
Proverbs 3: 13-15
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
Without wisdom, I am a fool: with God's wisdom I have understanding and discernment, and can gain His power to act on that wisdom. It's worth more than money, and it has more value than gold.
I'm thinking about Proverbs 14:1 that says, The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. This can refer to the tents the Israelites lived in in the desert. The wife would make a new panel each year, adding it to the front of the tent, and removing the oldest panel in the back. It can also refer to the "house" as the household, or family.
As I don't live in a tent, I would apply this principle to my family. As I look back I see all the harm I've done in my relationships with my own loved ones, like the foolish woman, tearing down my own "house" with my words.
My prayer is for the wisdom to repair the breaches and rebuild the broken-down walls of my family relationships. That I would guard my tongue to keep silence when I have no words of encouragement or helpfulness.
And may my Father put into my mouth and on my tongue those words of edification that will build up the self-esteem of my dear ones, repairing what has been damaged and helping them to realize how precious they really are, in God's eyes and in mine, as I see them the way He does.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
Without wisdom, I am a fool: with God's wisdom I have understanding and discernment, and can gain His power to act on that wisdom. It's worth more than money, and it has more value than gold.
I'm thinking about Proverbs 14:1 that says, The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. This can refer to the tents the Israelites lived in in the desert. The wife would make a new panel each year, adding it to the front of the tent, and removing the oldest panel in the back. It can also refer to the "house" as the household, or family.
As I don't live in a tent, I would apply this principle to my family. As I look back I see all the harm I've done in my relationships with my own loved ones, like the foolish woman, tearing down my own "house" with my words.
My prayer is for the wisdom to repair the breaches and rebuild the broken-down walls of my family relationships. That I would guard my tongue to keep silence when I have no words of encouragement or helpfulness.
And may my Father put into my mouth and on my tongue those words of edification that will build up the self-esteem of my dear ones, repairing what has been damaged and helping them to realize how precious they really are, in God's eyes and in mine, as I see them the way He does.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Poetic Justice
God has a sense of humor. If He didn't, He wouldn't have been able to give us a sense of humor, also.
I see humor when I read about Jacob, and again when I read about Haman.
As Jacob deceived his father Isaac to give him the blessing Isaac intended for Esau (Genesis 27:1-29), so now Jacob is deceived by his Uncle Laban, who tricked him into marrying Leah instead of Rachel (Genesis 29:20-26).
The Book of Esther tells us about Haman who was King Ahasuerus' right-hand-man, and wanted everyone to bow down to him. When Mordecai wouldn't, Haman decided to sentence him to death and built a 75 foot high gallows to hang him on. But he didn't want to just kill this one man, he wanted to destroy his whole nation.
When the king found out about his plan, he hanged Haman on his own gallows that he'd built for Mordecai, and Mordecai was promoted into the position Haman had had.
What we call Poetic Justice is the kind of joke God likes to play on people, either to judge them or to teach them something. Haman He judged; Jacob He taught how to live his life closer to God, and even received a new name, Israel.
Every time I hear about how someone received "poetic justice," I wonder if God is judging that person or if He is dealing with him/her as a son/daughter to teach them some important lesson.
Proverbs 26: 27 says that, He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
This is about trying to harm someone. The one who digs a pit in order to trap someone in it will himself be trapped by it, and the one who is positioning a stone to hit someone with it will find himself the victim of it's weight. You get the idea. Whenever we want to get back at someone, or just be mean or play a dangerous trick, watch out or you may just be the brunt of the joke. It could easily backfire on you, and you'll find yourself in the predicament you intended to put the other one in, while he gets the benefit you wanted.
Poetic Justice happens more often that you may think. This seems to be God's kind of humor, and He will display it whenever He sees a good opportunity.
How much better life is when we learn to love one another, instead of trying to trick one another. Humor is good when we can get a good laugh over some good thing that unexpectedly happened, or an impossible picture, like a huge log stuck in someone's eye. But let's stay away from anything that would be uncharitable or insulting or dangerous.
So keep laughing over what is honestly funny, and realize that God likes to laugh, too.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I see humor when I read about Jacob, and again when I read about Haman.
As Jacob deceived his father Isaac to give him the blessing Isaac intended for Esau (Genesis 27:1-29), so now Jacob is deceived by his Uncle Laban, who tricked him into marrying Leah instead of Rachel (Genesis 29:20-26).
The Book of Esther tells us about Haman who was King Ahasuerus' right-hand-man, and wanted everyone to bow down to him. When Mordecai wouldn't, Haman decided to sentence him to death and built a 75 foot high gallows to hang him on. But he didn't want to just kill this one man, he wanted to destroy his whole nation.
When the king found out about his plan, he hanged Haman on his own gallows that he'd built for Mordecai, and Mordecai was promoted into the position Haman had had.
What we call Poetic Justice is the kind of joke God likes to play on people, either to judge them or to teach them something. Haman He judged; Jacob He taught how to live his life closer to God, and even received a new name, Israel.
Every time I hear about how someone received "poetic justice," I wonder if God is judging that person or if He is dealing with him/her as a son/daughter to teach them some important lesson.
Proverbs 26: 27 says that, He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
This is about trying to harm someone. The one who digs a pit in order to trap someone in it will himself be trapped by it, and the one who is positioning a stone to hit someone with it will find himself the victim of it's weight. You get the idea. Whenever we want to get back at someone, or just be mean or play a dangerous trick, watch out or you may just be the brunt of the joke. It could easily backfire on you, and you'll find yourself in the predicament you intended to put the other one in, while he gets the benefit you wanted.
Poetic Justice happens more often that you may think. This seems to be God's kind of humor, and He will display it whenever He sees a good opportunity.
How much better life is when we learn to love one another, instead of trying to trick one another. Humor is good when we can get a good laugh over some good thing that unexpectedly happened, or an impossible picture, like a huge log stuck in someone's eye. But let's stay away from anything that would be uncharitable or insulting or dangerous.
So keep laughing over what is honestly funny, and realize that God likes to laugh, too.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, September 16, 2017
God's Tears
Twice we're told that Jesus wept: Once at Lazarus' tomb (in John 11:35), when He knew He would be raising him back to life; and again over Jerusalem (in Luke 19:41), knowing that they would reject Him, crucify Him, and continue in their rebellion against Him.
So I know that when we weep, God weeps with us, and it doesn't matter if everything will turn out for the good or in a bad way, we can still weep the same, and trust God to accomplish His purposes in the sorrows and the pains we experience.
And to realize that it is the sorrows and pain that cause us to grow and learn to lean on Him and depend on Him, for it is in our weaknesses that His strength is perfected in us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
So I know that when we weep, God weeps with us, and it doesn't matter if everything will turn out for the good or in a bad way, we can still weep the same, and trust God to accomplish His purposes in the sorrows and the pains we experience.
And to realize that it is the sorrows and pain that cause us to grow and learn to lean on Him and depend on Him, for it is in our weaknesses that His strength is perfected in us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, September 15, 2017
Healing And Strength
Proverbs 3: 7-8
Says, Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.
This is about thinking we know what's best for ourselves, we don't want anyone else to tell us what to do. Then we get caught up in all the "official" opinions of the day.
But God has shown us what is good, and He has put into this Earth everything we need. When we think His thoughts for us, and fill our hearts and minds with His Truth, then we will be able to see what is actually designed for our good health and eat what is natural, the way God made it to grow, to nourish our bodies and give strength to our bones, our framework.
We will also gain an understanding of how to love our neighbor, also, considering their need above our own, and doing for them what will benefit them, regardless of the cost.
O my Father, thank You for Your wonderful Word that teaches me your Truth. Thank you for Your gift of discernment to see what is good and what is not to put into my body to nourish it.
Please continue to teach me Your ways concerning the foods I choose to eat. Help me to see what is natural and turn away from what has been changed and fooled with.
And strengthen me, Lord, to go where You would have me to go, and do what You want to do through me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Says, Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.
This is about thinking we know what's best for ourselves, we don't want anyone else to tell us what to do. Then we get caught up in all the "official" opinions of the day.
But God has shown us what is good, and He has put into this Earth everything we need. When we think His thoughts for us, and fill our hearts and minds with His Truth, then we will be able to see what is actually designed for our good health and eat what is natural, the way God made it to grow, to nourish our bodies and give strength to our bones, our framework.
We will also gain an understanding of how to love our neighbor, also, considering their need above our own, and doing for them what will benefit them, regardless of the cost.
O my Father, thank You for Your wonderful Word that teaches me your Truth. Thank you for Your gift of discernment to see what is good and what is not to put into my body to nourish it.
Please continue to teach me Your ways concerning the foods I choose to eat. Help me to see what is natural and turn away from what has been changed and fooled with.
And strengthen me, Lord, to go where You would have me to go, and do what You want to do through me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, September 14, 2017
More Names Of God
Genesis 21: 33 Abraham calls God El Olam, The Eternal God. Our God has no beginning and no end, He never changes, His opinions never change, He is always dependable and will always do what He says He will do. He is faithful to His Word.
Genesis 22: 14 This is where Abraham calls God Yaweh Yireh, The Lord God Who Will Provide. God had told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, but then provided a ram caught in a thicket to take Isaac's place in sacrifice. This is where the saying comes from, On the Mountain of the Lord it will be provided.
God has promised us that He would provide everything we need. He is eternal, so He knows the end from the beginning, and can see what is still ahead of us. So He would not ever say He would do anything that He would not be able to do.
The saying, "On the Mountain of the Lord it will be provided" is a picture of what Abraham experienced that day. He obeyed the Lord in taking his son to the Mountain, and God provided a substitute sacrifice for the boy, who was then able to live.
So the Mountain of the Lord would refer to being in obedience to God, to do even what would seem unreasonable; and God will provide what we need, to live and carry out His Plan for us and for the World.
O my Father, I can never go wrong when I know that I am doing what You have told me to do. Even if it seems silly or unreasonable to the World, I can trust You to do right by me, just as You did for Abraham. You have not changed, so I know You are worthy of my trust.
Father, I ask that whenever the time comes when I need to obey You against common sense, grant me the faith to go ahead with Your Plan, to accomplish what You have determined is mine to achieve in Your Name. And I know that You will receive all the credit, the glory and honor, for what You planned ahead of time to do.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Genesis 22: 14 This is where Abraham calls God Yaweh Yireh, The Lord God Who Will Provide. God had told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, but then provided a ram caught in a thicket to take Isaac's place in sacrifice. This is where the saying comes from, On the Mountain of the Lord it will be provided.
God has promised us that He would provide everything we need. He is eternal, so He knows the end from the beginning, and can see what is still ahead of us. So He would not ever say He would do anything that He would not be able to do.
The saying, "On the Mountain of the Lord it will be provided" is a picture of what Abraham experienced that day. He obeyed the Lord in taking his son to the Mountain, and God provided a substitute sacrifice for the boy, who was then able to live.
So the Mountain of the Lord would refer to being in obedience to God, to do even what would seem unreasonable; and God will provide what we need, to live and carry out His Plan for us and for the World.
O my Father, I can never go wrong when I know that I am doing what You have told me to do. Even if it seems silly or unreasonable to the World, I can trust You to do right by me, just as You did for Abraham. You have not changed, so I know You are worthy of my trust.
Father, I ask that whenever the time comes when I need to obey You against common sense, grant me the faith to go ahead with Your Plan, to accomplish what You have determined is mine to achieve in Your Name. And I know that You will receive all the credit, the glory and honor, for what You planned ahead of time to do.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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