Have you ever asked your children a question and they gave you the proper response but their actions did not match their response? The same thing happened with God and the people of Israel. In Isaiah, Isaiah asks two questions about God. In verse 21 and 22, Isaiah asks "Do you not know or have you not heard that God sits enthroned above the circle of the earth?" The second is "Don't you know the Lord is the everlasting God and creator of the world?" Why did Isaiah ask these questions? My guess is that the people were not living as if they believed God was everlasting and enthroned above the circle of the earth. Am I any different? Do my actions show that I know God is creator and everlasting? Do I worry about little things or do I remember that God is enthroned on high? Do I pray with faith because my God is the creator of the world and can do the impossible? Do I stand firm in faith because God is everlasting and will always be here? How does my view of God affect how I live?
Abraham's view of God affected how he lived. The Bible tells us that Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. The Genesis story gives a story of a man who goes from questioning God at one time to being willing to sacrifice his son at another time in his life. When Abraham was 99 years old, God told him that he and Sarah would have a son. In Abraham's mind were thoughts of how impossible this was since he and Sarah were so old. Abraham's response to God was offering God his plan of having Ishmael be the promised son. God didn't need a way out and in the next year Isaac was born to Sarah, Abraham's wife. Fast forward a few more years. God decides to test Abraham. God asks Abraham to sacrifice his only son on Mt. Moriah. Abraham's response is obedience. Abraham and Isaac set out for Mt. Moriah. Along the way, Isaac asks where the sacrifice is. Abraham answers that God will provide and God did provide. Just as Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac, God stopped him and provided a ram in Isaac's place. Abraham believed God but Abraham also realized that he believed in a God who was the creator of the ends of the earth and everlasting.
Dear God, Forgive me when I doubt. You are Lord. You are everlasting and enthroned on high. May my life reflect my faith and trust in the God I serve. Amen
Friday, September 24, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Last Thoughts from Deut.29-32
Here are a few thoughts of mine as I end my blogs on Deut.
Deut 29: I am reminded to not let any root grow that could bear bitter or poisonous fruit. In my conversations am I seeking understanding? When something bothers me, do I deal with it or let it fester? Do I forgive quickly?
Deut 30: God delights in my obedience. How I want God to delight in me. I may think that obedience is too difficult but this chapter reminds us that it is not too difficult. As followers of Jesus, we also have the Holy Spirit who will help keep us on the straight path.
Deut 31: I am reminded to be strong and courageous for God is with me. There are many days in this land I need this reminder. Also this chapter reminds me that being in God's word will keep me from turning away from God and his will for me.
Deut 32: Thjs chapter is a song reminding me that God wants to demonstrate his holiness through me and to be my Rock and only refuge. Moses taught the song to the people to give them a way to remember important truths.
Deut 33: Here we see the blessings God gives to each of the tribes. It is neat to see how God blessed each tribe differently but each was truly blessed. I think it is important to remember that God will bless each of us different acccording to who we are and our relationship with God. It is also important in the blessing not to forget the Giver of all blessings.
There is much more in these chapters but I have been finished with Deut for a while and am ready to move on. Deut is a great reminder of God's love for his people, His desire for our obedience and a reminder that God is with us and for us.
Dear God, Thank you for your word. Thank you for going into unknown places with us. Thank you that you do not make it too difficult for us. May your Holy Spirit be in me and may my obedience bring you delight. Amen
Deut 29: I am reminded to not let any root grow that could bear bitter or poisonous fruit. In my conversations am I seeking understanding? When something bothers me, do I deal with it or let it fester? Do I forgive quickly?
Deut 30: God delights in my obedience. How I want God to delight in me. I may think that obedience is too difficult but this chapter reminds us that it is not too difficult. As followers of Jesus, we also have the Holy Spirit who will help keep us on the straight path.
Deut 31: I am reminded to be strong and courageous for God is with me. There are many days in this land I need this reminder. Also this chapter reminds me that being in God's word will keep me from turning away from God and his will for me.
Deut 32: Thjs chapter is a song reminding me that God wants to demonstrate his holiness through me and to be my Rock and only refuge. Moses taught the song to the people to give them a way to remember important truths.
Deut 33: Here we see the blessings God gives to each of the tribes. It is neat to see how God blessed each tribe differently but each was truly blessed. I think it is important to remember that God will bless each of us different acccording to who we are and our relationship with God. It is also important in the blessing not to forget the Giver of all blessings.
There is much more in these chapters but I have been finished with Deut for a while and am ready to move on. Deut is a great reminder of God's love for his people, His desire for our obedience and a reminder that God is with us and for us.
Dear God, Thank you for your word. Thank you for going into unknown places with us. Thank you that you do not make it too difficult for us. May your Holy Spirit be in me and may my obedience bring you delight. Amen
Monday, September 06, 2010
Blessings and Curses-Deut 27,28
As people redeemed from slavery, Israel had a choice. They could follow and obey God and be blessed or they could follow after other gods and disobey and be cursed. The ball was in their court. They would choose what it would be by their everyday choices. God wanted to bless them but God is also God. As a good parent, God allowed the curses to come to his people to discipline them and bring them back to him. Obedience would bring not only blessing to the people of Israel but to the people around them. Obedience allowed God's light to shine through His people.
As a child of God saved by grace, I also have a choice to make each day. Will I obey and follow God's leading or go my own way? Everyday I feel eyes upon me looking to see what I will do. I pray that my actions will reflect the light of my Savior. I pray through my obedience I can be a blessing to those God sends my way.
Dear God, Help me to obey you and follow you in all things. Be with my actions and my words as I teach each day. Be with me when my students are good and be even more with me when they are a challenge. May I do what is right even when it is hard. In Jesus name, Amen
As a child of God saved by grace, I also have a choice to make each day. Will I obey and follow God's leading or go my own way? Everyday I feel eyes upon me looking to see what I will do. I pray that my actions will reflect the light of my Savior. I pray through my obedience I can be a blessing to those God sends my way.
Dear God, Help me to obey you and follow you in all things. Be with my actions and my words as I teach each day. Be with me when my students are good and be even more with me when they are a challenge. May I do what is right even when it is hard. In Jesus name, Amen
August 2010 quotes
Here are some of the things I have found in my reading last month.
From Holly:
There's a big difference between choosing based on God's purpose for my life and simply chasing after everything that comes my way.
From Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel
When you convince your kids that things are evil rather than Satan and his corrupted world system being evil, you set them up to be manipulated by him. p.152
What determines evil is how Satan is using the thing or action in an individual's life. What determines goodness is how God is working through the thing or the action in the individual (you, me, child) in the equation. p.153
From CS Lewis:
Though our feelings come and go. God's love for us does not.
From Glynnis
Sometimes God speaks to people when they are in a place of emotional quiet. Loneliness can put us in that place. Peace can put us in that place. Ceasing to strive can put us in that place.
From High Calling Blogs
How can I expect my sons will talk to me about their fears and anxieties- or, when the time comes, about girls or drinking or drugs- if I won't even listen to their thoughts on trees or birds or bugs.
From Holly:
There's a big difference between choosing based on God's purpose for my life and simply chasing after everything that comes my way.
From Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel
When you convince your kids that things are evil rather than Satan and his corrupted world system being evil, you set them up to be manipulated by him. p.152
What determines evil is how Satan is using the thing or action in an individual's life. What determines goodness is how God is working through the thing or the action in the individual (you, me, child) in the equation. p.153
From CS Lewis:
Though our feelings come and go. God's love for us does not.
From Glynnis
Sometimes God speaks to people when they are in a place of emotional quiet. Loneliness can put us in that place. Peace can put us in that place. Ceasing to strive can put us in that place.
From High Calling Blogs
How can I expect my sons will talk to me about their fears and anxieties- or, when the time comes, about girls or drinking or drugs- if I won't even listen to their thoughts on trees or birds or bugs.
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