The passage I read was Ezekiel 39:21-29
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2039:21-29&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
God will be brought glory not only in his punishment of his children when they turn away from him, but also in his compassion to bring them back from captivity. (very summarized) ;-)
As I reflect:
I have read about the Israelites in several books for several years and I am always surprised that no matter how often the Lord blesses them or builds them up, they always seem to turn away from Him once they are living life to the max and all. They always turn away and end up serving other Gods and having sex with neighboring nations and making a mockery of the nation of God. Then God sends a prophet to warn them to get straight or He’s going to have to punish them for His name’s sake. Then the people refuse to repent and God punishes them (often to the brink of total annihilation). Then the few remaining people of Israel eventually repent and God restores them and quickly rebuilds the population of His children and lifts them back up to a status that glorifies Him. Then the cycle starts all over again. I gotta admit, it can be pretty frustrating to read this sometimes. I think to myself, “how can a nation that has been so close to God and seen His works first hand among them, continually walk away and commit adultery with the rest of the world?!” It’s insane to me. But, I find myself doing the same thing in a shorter time frame and on a smaller scale. If I am the product of God’s saving grace and I make a choice to sin (whether conscious or sub), then haven’t I done the same thing the nation of Israel did? Haven’t I also disobeyed my Lord even though I walk with Him daily and His presence and power are made very clearly known to me? The grace that can be taken from this passage is encouraging to me. That my God is sovereign even to have compassion on those that have turned completely away from Him, gives me a continuous hope that He will not fail to bring me back when I falter in my steps. He won’t give me over to my mistakes and keep his head turned away forever. He is faithful and He will complete the work He begun in me. There will be times when I mess up and He allows accountability. But, I will grow through those times and He will pick me back up and continue to teach and lead me. If He can have compassion on a nation such as Israel after all that they did, and if He can restore them, then how could I ever think for even a second that He wouldn’t also have compassion on me and restore me for His glory’s sake.
My response to the Lord:
Lord, I cannot enough thank you for my salvation. That you have the ability to turn someone over to their sins and allow their enemies to destroy them is obvious to me. That you are so compassionate as to forgive them and restore them afterwards is beyond my ability to fully grasp. I long to be so compassionate Lord. I thank you for not allowing your wrath to come upon me and I hope I never give you cause to allow it. May I live a life that gives you glory. May I do this from a desire to serve my King. In Jesus name.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
week of 10-27-10 2nd recorded Bible study
The passage I read was Psalm 79:1-13
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2079:1-13&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
God has allowed the Israelites to reap what they sowed and now they are broken and calling out for forgiveness. They are pleading with God and trying to reason with him to forgive them and protect his reputation by stopping and punishing all of Israel’s enemies that are attacking them. They know that they’ve done wrong, but are asking the Lord to pardon them. They say that they will then praise God forever.
As I reflect:
Well, I can’t say that I am currently under attack from surrounding nations for my sins against God and for not heading His warnings that were given many times before allowing everyone to attack me. I have however been there. I have been given over to my sin before. I remember what it felt like to be pulled by Satan the direction of the flesh, while the Holy Spirit whispers in the ear to turn and walk in the light. I have also been neck deep in the muck and mire of Godlessness before as a result of my own sins past, and I know what it is like to reap what is sown…Though, not in full for I would surely have died many times by now if so.
In this passage what stood out to me most was that the people of Israel didn’t just cry out, “SAVE ME!!!” or “HELP!!” or “STOP LETTING THEM KILL US!!”. No, they instead reasoned with God. I know that Asaph was a choirmaster and poet of David’s time and all poets certainly have the ability to mold words. But I don’t believe that’s what Asaph was doing. I believe when he wrote this, he very clearly was displaying the accountability of God’s children as well as the pre notion that God can be reasoned with and will forgive His children if their heart is truly repentant.
I also noticed that God’s people pulled on a string of pride or sovereignty when they told the Lord not to let others make fun of Him by attacking his helpless children. That was interesting. I think I’d be too afraid to make such a bold statement even in calling out for the salvation of my God. It almost seems like an attempt at manipulation of the all knowing Creator. Lol – not likely to happen. It may very well show not the state of their heart in approach to God as much as their fear from attack by enemies and desperation for Salvation from the only one who can save in such a circumstance. May we all be so desperate for God in our lives daily that we should call out for His holy presence to forgive us and guide us in His ways. May we not turn so far away from Him that only devastation can bring us back. Do not stray Christian.. Do not stray even for a moment. Stay in communication without God and know that He hears you and is reasonable to consider your voice. If you are saved, there is no brick wall that separated you from your King. Know Him. Know His personality. Befriend God.
My response to the Lord:
Lord God, such passages remind me to kneel humbly, for you are great and mighty and indeed you can destroy a nation if need be. If you can do this to your beloved nation Israel, you could certainly bring me low and desolate my life as well should you choose to. I pray I never cause you to feel this is needed with me Father. I have read that you now call me “friend” Jesus. If this is so, then I am taken back by your generosity all the more that someone so undeserving as myself would not only be forgiven for holding the hammer and the nail, but that you would even come to know me as a friend…Wow! God, Thank you for always being here for me. Thank you for allowing me to grow from a child to a man and to walk with you. Thank you for spending my concept of time with me and for sharing with me this wonderful life you have provided. I cannot imagine ever walking away from you, but if even the thought should somehow enter my mind, Lord I ask you to quickly correct me and return me to the path that leads to righteousness. Do not oh God allow me to walk so far from the path that only devastation could bring me back. I pray these things humbly in your name Jesus.
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2079:1-13&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
God has allowed the Israelites to reap what they sowed and now they are broken and calling out for forgiveness. They are pleading with God and trying to reason with him to forgive them and protect his reputation by stopping and punishing all of Israel’s enemies that are attacking them. They know that they’ve done wrong, but are asking the Lord to pardon them. They say that they will then praise God forever.
As I reflect:
Well, I can’t say that I am currently under attack from surrounding nations for my sins against God and for not heading His warnings that were given many times before allowing everyone to attack me. I have however been there. I have been given over to my sin before. I remember what it felt like to be pulled by Satan the direction of the flesh, while the Holy Spirit whispers in the ear to turn and walk in the light. I have also been neck deep in the muck and mire of Godlessness before as a result of my own sins past, and I know what it is like to reap what is sown…Though, not in full for I would surely have died many times by now if so.
In this passage what stood out to me most was that the people of Israel didn’t just cry out, “SAVE ME!!!” or “HELP!!” or “STOP LETTING THEM KILL US!!”. No, they instead reasoned with God. I know that Asaph was a choirmaster and poet of David’s time and all poets certainly have the ability to mold words. But I don’t believe that’s what Asaph was doing. I believe when he wrote this, he very clearly was displaying the accountability of God’s children as well as the pre notion that God can be reasoned with and will forgive His children if their heart is truly repentant.
I also noticed that God’s people pulled on a string of pride or sovereignty when they told the Lord not to let others make fun of Him by attacking his helpless children. That was interesting. I think I’d be too afraid to make such a bold statement even in calling out for the salvation of my God. It almost seems like an attempt at manipulation of the all knowing Creator. Lol – not likely to happen. It may very well show not the state of their heart in approach to God as much as their fear from attack by enemies and desperation for Salvation from the only one who can save in such a circumstance. May we all be so desperate for God in our lives daily that we should call out for His holy presence to forgive us and guide us in His ways. May we not turn so far away from Him that only devastation can bring us back. Do not stray Christian.. Do not stray even for a moment. Stay in communication without God and know that He hears you and is reasonable to consider your voice. If you are saved, there is no brick wall that separated you from your King. Know Him. Know His personality. Befriend God.
My response to the Lord:
Lord God, such passages remind me to kneel humbly, for you are great and mighty and indeed you can destroy a nation if need be. If you can do this to your beloved nation Israel, you could certainly bring me low and desolate my life as well should you choose to. I pray I never cause you to feel this is needed with me Father. I have read that you now call me “friend” Jesus. If this is so, then I am taken back by your generosity all the more that someone so undeserving as myself would not only be forgiven for holding the hammer and the nail, but that you would even come to know me as a friend…Wow! God, Thank you for always being here for me. Thank you for allowing me to grow from a child to a man and to walk with you. Thank you for spending my concept of time with me and for sharing with me this wonderful life you have provided. I cannot imagine ever walking away from you, but if even the thought should somehow enter my mind, Lord I ask you to quickly correct me and return me to the path that leads to righteousness. Do not oh God allow me to walk so far from the path that only devastation could bring me back. I pray these things humbly in your name Jesus.
Friday, October 29, 2010
week of 10-27-10 1st recorded Bible study
The passage I read was Deuteronomy 6:4-15
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%206:4-15&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Love Him out loud. Don’t hide your love for God. Love Him openly in such a way that every person that sees you or comes to your house, knows that you love God. Do not forget this for even a moment of your day.
When the Lord has saved you, and you are walking in obedience to Him and all is good and you are greatly blessed and He is generous and giving you life, don’t during this time forget Him. Don’t in the easy breezy times in life choose to walk into sin and serve other gods (i.e. yourself, money, lust, sins of self indulgence). There is a high accountability for such actions because the Lord is a jealous God.
My son said:
When we get something good, we can’t forget that Jesus gave it to us. And we can’t worship other gods or He’ll wipe us off the face of the planet and we’ll burn in hell.
As I reflect:
Loving the Lord is not something you only do in prayer before dinner. It’s not something you just do in church on Sunday morning. It’s not something you only share in secrecy should a friend or close loved one ask you on the down low. Loving the Lord is to be done all the time and it’s to be done openly. If someone comes to my house, they should know that I love the Lord. It should be obvious. If I go to the supermarket, what reason do I have to talk to a cashier or someone in line without letting them know that I love the Lord because He first loved me. I should be excited to share this information with people. I think too often I let that conversation fall through my fingers because I care too much what that person will think of me. That’s complete rubbish. I am saved from hell. I am saved from my own addictive sin nature. I am happy about that and I want others to also be saved from the same things. If I am truly loving the Lord with all of my heart, soul, and strength, then I should be constantly sharing his good Word with others. It should not be something that can be concealed. It is also important to remember on the daily, that when all is well and it is so often easy to fall into sin, I cannot forget that God has saved me from the fire and I need to keep my eyes on Him. It’s easy for someone who is saved to focus on God and spend time in prayer and outreach when times are rough because our struggles and suffering draws us nearer to Him. But when things are going great…. When we are being blessed left and right and there are no struggles to be seen in any direction; these are the times to watch out for the attack. It’s so easy to sin when you aren’t on your toes. So easy to trip when your forget to watch how your walkin.
My son said:
Sometimes when I’m having a lot of fun, I forget about Jesus. I forget about Him totally and am just having too much fun to remember He is here with me. And I think a way to not do that is to love the Lord with all my heart and soul and strength because you can’t forget someone you love that much.
My response to the Lord:
Lord, I already feel you pushing gently on my heart to witness. I pray your would continue to build up a stronger more bold will in me to do so every time and to not shy down for fear of judgment from others. I want to share your Word Father. You are blessing me with such consistency that it can almost become a thing not considered from time to time as I become used to walking in your grace. This however is a wrong way of thinking. Lord please keep me ever mindful and alert to the enemy’s attacks. I pray I keep my eyes on you always, during the storm and during the perfect weather. Lord, may I always grow in devotion to you. May I never step to the left or the right or the back, but rather keep my focus on you and continue to grow in servitude. May I serve you each day more than the last Father. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
My son said:
Dear Lord, please help us not forget you are here with us all the time. And please help us love you with all our heart, all our strength, and all our soul. Amen.
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%206:4-15&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Love Him out loud. Don’t hide your love for God. Love Him openly in such a way that every person that sees you or comes to your house, knows that you love God. Do not forget this for even a moment of your day.
When the Lord has saved you, and you are walking in obedience to Him and all is good and you are greatly blessed and He is generous and giving you life, don’t during this time forget Him. Don’t in the easy breezy times in life choose to walk into sin and serve other gods (i.e. yourself, money, lust, sins of self indulgence). There is a high accountability for such actions because the Lord is a jealous God.
My son said:
When we get something good, we can’t forget that Jesus gave it to us. And we can’t worship other gods or He’ll wipe us off the face of the planet and we’ll burn in hell.
As I reflect:
Loving the Lord is not something you only do in prayer before dinner. It’s not something you just do in church on Sunday morning. It’s not something you only share in secrecy should a friend or close loved one ask you on the down low. Loving the Lord is to be done all the time and it’s to be done openly. If someone comes to my house, they should know that I love the Lord. It should be obvious. If I go to the supermarket, what reason do I have to talk to a cashier or someone in line without letting them know that I love the Lord because He first loved me. I should be excited to share this information with people. I think too often I let that conversation fall through my fingers because I care too much what that person will think of me. That’s complete rubbish. I am saved from hell. I am saved from my own addictive sin nature. I am happy about that and I want others to also be saved from the same things. If I am truly loving the Lord with all of my heart, soul, and strength, then I should be constantly sharing his good Word with others. It should not be something that can be concealed. It is also important to remember on the daily, that when all is well and it is so often easy to fall into sin, I cannot forget that God has saved me from the fire and I need to keep my eyes on Him. It’s easy for someone who is saved to focus on God and spend time in prayer and outreach when times are rough because our struggles and suffering draws us nearer to Him. But when things are going great…. When we are being blessed left and right and there are no struggles to be seen in any direction; these are the times to watch out for the attack. It’s so easy to sin when you aren’t on your toes. So easy to trip when your forget to watch how your walkin.
My son said:
Sometimes when I’m having a lot of fun, I forget about Jesus. I forget about Him totally and am just having too much fun to remember He is here with me. And I think a way to not do that is to love the Lord with all my heart and soul and strength because you can’t forget someone you love that much.
My response to the Lord:
Lord, I already feel you pushing gently on my heart to witness. I pray your would continue to build up a stronger more bold will in me to do so every time and to not shy down for fear of judgment from others. I want to share your Word Father. You are blessing me with such consistency that it can almost become a thing not considered from time to time as I become used to walking in your grace. This however is a wrong way of thinking. Lord please keep me ever mindful and alert to the enemy’s attacks. I pray I keep my eyes on you always, during the storm and during the perfect weather. Lord, may I always grow in devotion to you. May I never step to the left or the right or the back, but rather keep my focus on you and continue to grow in servitude. May I serve you each day more than the last Father. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
My son said:
Dear Lord, please help us not forget you are here with us all the time. And please help us love you with all our heart, all our strength, and all our soul. Amen.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
week of 10-20-10 4th recorded Bible study
The passage I read was Psalm 31:14-24
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+31%3A14-24&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
Fear the Lord and put your trust in Him alone and He will deliver you from your enemies and put them to rest. The Lord is good and has stored up blessings for those that would follow Him. He will protect them who seek refuge in Him. V24 – Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
As I reflect:
Similar to the last Bible study are the concepts of the deliverance spoken of in this passage, that they apply to those who fear the Lord (or live in reverence before Him) and are not just generally offered or said to be readily handed out to everyone equally. There is again that difference between the saved (under his wing) and the unsaved (devoured by their own evil desires). But that’s not what really caught my focus here. Some of the words in this passage are very close to my heart from personal experience. They have played a part many times throughout the changing of whom I walked for. From about 3 months before I was delivered from my many worldly addictions and attitudes, through the time that the deliverance begun, through the hardest times of change, on through the breaking point when light was starting to shine through, on up through beginning to walk with Him and even up to now, this passage has held true. He has delivered me from my enemies (v15) and from those that pursued me. I have been saved in His unfailing love (v16). Those who sought my life and lied about me to others were paid back and put to shame (v17 – 18). As I have come to live in reverence before Him, his goodness has not ceased to flow greatly beyond anything I ever could have earned, and it is plain for all to see (v19). I have been freed from my past accusers and they no longer have a hold on me (v20). It was not during a time which I was in church or in the Word or walking in any righteous matter that the Lord saved me…. It was during my deepest darkest sin that He reached in and pulled me from the fire (v21). Even though I thought that He had turned a completely deaf ear to me, I called out for him to change/save me from what I had become, and he answered (v22). That He came to call me saint….and even to call me “friend”, I am ever thankful for. I deserve it not, but I will sing his praise and forever my hope will remain in God (v23-24). I now know that I can always trust in my God (v14), for he is mighty to save.
My response to the Lord:
Lord of my life, I am before you on my knees. There is no other place I want to be, for you Lord have saved me from my sin. You have saved me from all of my iniquities and from those who sought my life. You have torn down my accusers and pulled me from the fire. My life is yours. Fully Lord, I am yours. If there is anything in me that is not of you, then take it from me Father. I lay it down. Replace my bad with your good; my failures, with your success; my mindset, with your truth. I will ever praise you for saving me; for allowing me to dwell safely under your wing always. Even in the midst of battle you are there protecting me so often from my own mistakes. To simply sing that, “there is none like you” is an understatement by far, for you are indescribably beautiful to me Lord. Forever, I am your servant Jesus.
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+31%3A14-24&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
Fear the Lord and put your trust in Him alone and He will deliver you from your enemies and put them to rest. The Lord is good and has stored up blessings for those that would follow Him. He will protect them who seek refuge in Him. V24 – Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
As I reflect:
Similar to the last Bible study are the concepts of the deliverance spoken of in this passage, that they apply to those who fear the Lord (or live in reverence before Him) and are not just generally offered or said to be readily handed out to everyone equally. There is again that difference between the saved (under his wing) and the unsaved (devoured by their own evil desires). But that’s not what really caught my focus here. Some of the words in this passage are very close to my heart from personal experience. They have played a part many times throughout the changing of whom I walked for. From about 3 months before I was delivered from my many worldly addictions and attitudes, through the time that the deliverance begun, through the hardest times of change, on through the breaking point when light was starting to shine through, on up through beginning to walk with Him and even up to now, this passage has held true. He has delivered me from my enemies (v15) and from those that pursued me. I have been saved in His unfailing love (v16). Those who sought my life and lied about me to others were paid back and put to shame (v17 – 18). As I have come to live in reverence before Him, his goodness has not ceased to flow greatly beyond anything I ever could have earned, and it is plain for all to see (v19). I have been freed from my past accusers and they no longer have a hold on me (v20). It was not during a time which I was in church or in the Word or walking in any righteous matter that the Lord saved me…. It was during my deepest darkest sin that He reached in and pulled me from the fire (v21). Even though I thought that He had turned a completely deaf ear to me, I called out for him to change/save me from what I had become, and he answered (v22). That He came to call me saint….and even to call me “friend”, I am ever thankful for. I deserve it not, but I will sing his praise and forever my hope will remain in God (v23-24). I now know that I can always trust in my God (v14), for he is mighty to save.
My response to the Lord:
Lord of my life, I am before you on my knees. There is no other place I want to be, for you Lord have saved me from my sin. You have saved me from all of my iniquities and from those who sought my life. You have torn down my accusers and pulled me from the fire. My life is yours. Fully Lord, I am yours. If there is anything in me that is not of you, then take it from me Father. I lay it down. Replace my bad with your good; my failures, with your success; my mindset, with your truth. I will ever praise you for saving me; for allowing me to dwell safely under your wing always. Even in the midst of battle you are there protecting me so often from my own mistakes. To simply sing that, “there is none like you” is an understatement by far, for you are indescribably beautiful to me Lord. Forever, I am your servant Jesus.
a sermon idea...needs bunches of tuning i'm sure.
Sermon idea?
Well over 30 years ago my mom ran away from home. She was very defiant, filled with spunk, and ready to take on the world her own way. Satan had gotten an early hold on her and talked her into sowing some serious oats in the world. She left home and headed straight into a life of road trips with truckers, bikers, drugs, sex, alcohol, and a great deal of hard core partying. An unstable hippy at best, her life appeared to have no value to many people she came across and was unfortunately valued for all the wrong reasons by the few select wrong people. She moved many places even leaving the country at one point and after a heart breaking goodbye, she took me away from a biker that was sergeant at arms for hells angels (aka my genetic father) and she headed for Colorado. Long story short, here I am. Mom’s gotten her act cleaned up severely by God as accountability caught up to her and she sought and received forgiveness. Her life was certainly worthy of the 700 club and in my opinion would make several best sellers if put on pages. There were many amazing experiences on both the road to destruction as well as the road to eternal life with Christ Jesus. As I was raised, I saw and experienced things that most are considered fortunate for not having in their life. As an adult, I ended up sowing my own seeds in darkness following after my mom’s youthful footsteps. I smoked, drank, did drugs, was involved in gangs, partied hard, plenty of adultery, sold drugs, and eventually made drugs to sell. It was dark and deadly lifestyle and eventually (as with my mom) I came to a point where Jesus reached in and said, “NO MORE!” I was ripped out of a life style that was going to kill people (including me). I hit rock bottom, found a bible, said a prayer of earnest repentance and desire to start over, and started walking with the Lord and growing from that night on. All so called friends = gone. Acquaintances = gone. The old me = gone. I fell in love with a Christian Woman who had a 1.5 year old boy. I also fell in love with fathering that child quite quickly. It was the right thing to do and I belonged with them. We married on the phone after our third date and moved in together shortly after. We have had several children since and been ministering in multiple ways over the years as the Lord would use us. About a year and a half ago, I developed an interest in Salt water fish and coral reef tanks. This quickly became a time consuming hobby and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I joined a local saltwater enthusiast club and started attending events and even working at some of them. One such event was in a city about an hour away from home and the family joined me on that day as there were other local attractions there to enjoy as well. I ran into several members of the same group as myself and one such member had his family there whom I hadn’t met up to that point. Shortly after introductions, that man went for a beer and while gone, his 15 year old daughter opened up to us in front of her mom and told me and my wife some rather heart stopping news. She had been gang rapped and was about a month pregnant. She shared this information within only minutes of meeting us and though I thought it oddly abrupt, my wife and I kindly smiled and continued in conversation with them. This 15 year old girl went on to tell us that she was going to give the baby up for adoption as she had thought it through and she didn’t want to abort and thus murder the baby and she also didn’t want to keep it as she wanted to finish school and knew she was too young and not ready to be a mom. As odd a conversation as it seemed, it hit me that there was something I should bring up to this family. You see my own family had 2 members that had been seeking to adopt a child for several years. My cousin and his wife had been attempting to adopt for several years pouring thousands of dollars into an agency and jumping through all sorts of hoops and doing paper work and getting checkups at the hospital, so on and so on. So much stuff they had been going through trying to adopt but the door just wasn’t opening for them. It looked impossible but they kept hope and continued on in faith trying to find that open door they knew the Lord had for them somewhere. So I asked an odd question of this 15 year old, “does the adoption have to occur through any particular agency or for any particular fee, or would you simply be happy if the child went to a good home with good parents?” There was no hesitation in the girl. She quickly replied that she just wanted the child to go to a good home. Amazingly enough, God provided the follow up phone calls and connecting emails and eventually visits from my out of state cousin and his wife. The end result? My cousin and his wife now have a baby boy named Will. The name was chosen because only God’s will could have allowed this amazing story to have this happy ending.
In the book of Genesis (chapters 37-50) we read about a man named Joseph. Joseph was the most beloved of his father’s sons, so much so that his father made him a special tunic of many colors. . Joseph was given dreams by God. One such dream is that he would rule over his brothers and they would bow down to him. Now I don’t know the mindset for sure of this young man, but suffice it to say that he lacked some serious tact because he decided to tell his brothers this dream. They already had it out for him being the favorite and all, but then to say that he would reign over them? Yea, not too cool. So his brothers plotted against him. They decided (thanks to one brother having talked some sense) instead of killing him or leaving him in a ditch, they’d sell him to some Midianite trader. So 17 years old and he couldn’t help but to boast of the dreams he had saying he’d rule over his family. Now starts a rough life.
The Midianites sale Joseph to Potiphar (an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard). After 11 years of service there and moving up through the ranks, Potiphar’s wife attempts to have an affair with Joseph. Joseph says no way and then he tries to get away from her but she grabs his garment (skirt towel?/cloak?) which she uses as evidence against him of course when she tells her husband that he tried to rape her. So husband has him imprisoned right (a pretty merciful sentence). Important to note that throughout the story of Joseph, there are several places that the writer made note that “But the Lord was with Joseph”, and then following that remark you see each bad situation used for good and Joseph advances. Then he spends 2 years in prison and it’s no different there. He is put in charge with quickness by the guards that recognized God was with him. He runs in to a couple guys that worked for the pharaoh until also imprisoned. It’s important to note that despite the struggles Joseph went through, God never left his side, just as He has never left my mom’s side… Hand if you know my God, then know that He has never left your side either. You see in this story, God is working not only for Joseph himself, but also for the larger purpose in His grand design. It is also this way with us. God is personally involved in the working together for the good in our lives, but also in a much larger plan, He will use you to further His kingdom.
So, the two guys that Joseph ran into in prison both had a disturbing dream one night and God enables Joseph to explain the meaning of their dreams. Once one of the guys is getting out of prison, Joseph asks him to put in a good word for him with the Pharaoh since it appeared he’d be going back to work for him. But the guy totally forgets and renigs on his promise to do so and thus Joseph is left in prison for those two years. Pharaoh then has a dream that no one can interpret and that’s when the cupbearer remembers Joseph. Then Joseph gets called to interpret the dream and becomes the Prime Minister of Egypt as a result. That’s like the 2nd in charge over everything. Pretty high rank for a shepherd boy sold into slavery 13 years earlier.
Joseph was 17 when sold into slavery (Gen 37:2), a slave for Potiphar for 11 years, imprisoned for 2 years (Gen 41:1) and at the age of 30, he was promoted by the (Gen 41:46). That’s a lot to go through and never lose faith. I wonder if there were times when he didn’t know what to do? Times when his faith was a struggle inside of him? Times when he called out for God to rescue him or even avenge him? I don’t know. What I do know is it was a rough upbringing with a good outcome in the end. Not only for Joseph, but also for his family, and eventually (generations later) this actually became a necessary life change for Jesus to come many years later from this same blood line. Wow huh? So big picture here:
• If Joseph’s brothers never sell him to the Midianites, then Joseph never goes to Egypt.
• If Joseph never goes to Egypt, he never is sold to Potiphar.
• If he is never sold to Potiphar, Potiphar’s wife never falsely accuses him of rape.
• If Potiphar’s wife never falsely accuses him of rape, then he is never put in prison.
• If he is never put in prison, he never meets the baker and butler of Pharaoh.
• If he never meets the baker and butler of Pharaoh, he never interprets their dreams.
• If he never interprets their dreams, he never gets to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams.
• If he never gets to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, he never is made prime minister.
• If he is never made prime minister, he never wisely administrates for the severe famine coming upon the region.
• If he never wisely administrates for the severe famine coming upon the region, then his family back in Canaan perishes from the famine.
• If his family back in Canaan perishes from the famine, the Messiah can’t come forth from a dead family.
• If the Messiah can’t come forth, then Jesus never came.
• If Jesus never came, you are dead in your sins and without hope in this world.
© 2006 David Guzik
When Joseph was reunited with his brothers and he finally told them who he was, they were afraid but Joseph said,
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Genesis 50:20 (New International Version)
I wonder if one day Will would say the same thing to someone…. What the devil meant for evil, the Lord intended for good. Look at what has now been accomplished.
• If my mom never ran away, then she likely wouldn’t have turned to drugs and alcohol
• If my mom never turned to drugs and alcohol, she likely wouldn’t have ended up in the atmosphere where she met my genetic father
• If she never met my genetic father, then I was never born
• If I was never born, then I never would have gotten into saltwater tanks
• If I never got involved with the saltwater group and went to the events, then I never would have met the 15 year old’s father
• If I never met him, then I never would’ve met her
• If I never met her, then I never would’ve been able to connect her with my cousin and his wife
• If I never connected them, then Will wouldn’t be will….
And his father wouldn’t be a decorated military man of God. His mom (a woman of integrity) wouldn’t have spent years preparing for him and seeking after him to raise as her own. And he wouldn’t now live 3 hours from the beach in a beautiful home with a very large circle of support and love for his upbringing in the Lord. I wonder who he’ll become and how the Lord will use him.
May I encourage you to never give up hope or faith in the Lord. If you love Him and are called according to his purpose, then know that everything will work out for the good. Trust Him and don’t lose sight. He can do great things through what now may seem an endless valley of darkness. Keep your eyes on Him and others will notice that God is with you.
Well over 30 years ago my mom ran away from home. She was very defiant, filled with spunk, and ready to take on the world her own way. Satan had gotten an early hold on her and talked her into sowing some serious oats in the world. She left home and headed straight into a life of road trips with truckers, bikers, drugs, sex, alcohol, and a great deal of hard core partying. An unstable hippy at best, her life appeared to have no value to many people she came across and was unfortunately valued for all the wrong reasons by the few select wrong people. She moved many places even leaving the country at one point and after a heart breaking goodbye, she took me away from a biker that was sergeant at arms for hells angels (aka my genetic father) and she headed for Colorado. Long story short, here I am. Mom’s gotten her act cleaned up severely by God as accountability caught up to her and she sought and received forgiveness. Her life was certainly worthy of the 700 club and in my opinion would make several best sellers if put on pages. There were many amazing experiences on both the road to destruction as well as the road to eternal life with Christ Jesus. As I was raised, I saw and experienced things that most are considered fortunate for not having in their life. As an adult, I ended up sowing my own seeds in darkness following after my mom’s youthful footsteps. I smoked, drank, did drugs, was involved in gangs, partied hard, plenty of adultery, sold drugs, and eventually made drugs to sell. It was dark and deadly lifestyle and eventually (as with my mom) I came to a point where Jesus reached in and said, “NO MORE!” I was ripped out of a life style that was going to kill people (including me). I hit rock bottom, found a bible, said a prayer of earnest repentance and desire to start over, and started walking with the Lord and growing from that night on. All so called friends = gone. Acquaintances = gone. The old me = gone. I fell in love with a Christian Woman who had a 1.5 year old boy. I also fell in love with fathering that child quite quickly. It was the right thing to do and I belonged with them. We married on the phone after our third date and moved in together shortly after. We have had several children since and been ministering in multiple ways over the years as the Lord would use us. About a year and a half ago, I developed an interest in Salt water fish and coral reef tanks. This quickly became a time consuming hobby and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I joined a local saltwater enthusiast club and started attending events and even working at some of them. One such event was in a city about an hour away from home and the family joined me on that day as there were other local attractions there to enjoy as well. I ran into several members of the same group as myself and one such member had his family there whom I hadn’t met up to that point. Shortly after introductions, that man went for a beer and while gone, his 15 year old daughter opened up to us in front of her mom and told me and my wife some rather heart stopping news. She had been gang rapped and was about a month pregnant. She shared this information within only minutes of meeting us and though I thought it oddly abrupt, my wife and I kindly smiled and continued in conversation with them. This 15 year old girl went on to tell us that she was going to give the baby up for adoption as she had thought it through and she didn’t want to abort and thus murder the baby and she also didn’t want to keep it as she wanted to finish school and knew she was too young and not ready to be a mom. As odd a conversation as it seemed, it hit me that there was something I should bring up to this family. You see my own family had 2 members that had been seeking to adopt a child for several years. My cousin and his wife had been attempting to adopt for several years pouring thousands of dollars into an agency and jumping through all sorts of hoops and doing paper work and getting checkups at the hospital, so on and so on. So much stuff they had been going through trying to adopt but the door just wasn’t opening for them. It looked impossible but they kept hope and continued on in faith trying to find that open door they knew the Lord had for them somewhere. So I asked an odd question of this 15 year old, “does the adoption have to occur through any particular agency or for any particular fee, or would you simply be happy if the child went to a good home with good parents?” There was no hesitation in the girl. She quickly replied that she just wanted the child to go to a good home. Amazingly enough, God provided the follow up phone calls and connecting emails and eventually visits from my out of state cousin and his wife. The end result? My cousin and his wife now have a baby boy named Will. The name was chosen because only God’s will could have allowed this amazing story to have this happy ending.
In the book of Genesis (chapters 37-50) we read about a man named Joseph. Joseph was the most beloved of his father’s sons, so much so that his father made him a special tunic of many colors. . Joseph was given dreams by God. One such dream is that he would rule over his brothers and they would bow down to him. Now I don’t know the mindset for sure of this young man, but suffice it to say that he lacked some serious tact because he decided to tell his brothers this dream. They already had it out for him being the favorite and all, but then to say that he would reign over them? Yea, not too cool. So his brothers plotted against him. They decided (thanks to one brother having talked some sense) instead of killing him or leaving him in a ditch, they’d sell him to some Midianite trader. So 17 years old and he couldn’t help but to boast of the dreams he had saying he’d rule over his family. Now starts a rough life.
The Midianites sale Joseph to Potiphar (an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard). After 11 years of service there and moving up through the ranks, Potiphar’s wife attempts to have an affair with Joseph. Joseph says no way and then he tries to get away from her but she grabs his garment (skirt towel?/cloak?) which she uses as evidence against him of course when she tells her husband that he tried to rape her. So husband has him imprisoned right (a pretty merciful sentence). Important to note that throughout the story of Joseph, there are several places that the writer made note that “But the Lord was with Joseph”, and then following that remark you see each bad situation used for good and Joseph advances. Then he spends 2 years in prison and it’s no different there. He is put in charge with quickness by the guards that recognized God was with him. He runs in to a couple guys that worked for the pharaoh until also imprisoned. It’s important to note that despite the struggles Joseph went through, God never left his side, just as He has never left my mom’s side… Hand if you know my God, then know that He has never left your side either. You see in this story, God is working not only for Joseph himself, but also for the larger purpose in His grand design. It is also this way with us. God is personally involved in the working together for the good in our lives, but also in a much larger plan, He will use you to further His kingdom.
So, the two guys that Joseph ran into in prison both had a disturbing dream one night and God enables Joseph to explain the meaning of their dreams. Once one of the guys is getting out of prison, Joseph asks him to put in a good word for him with the Pharaoh since it appeared he’d be going back to work for him. But the guy totally forgets and renigs on his promise to do so and thus Joseph is left in prison for those two years. Pharaoh then has a dream that no one can interpret and that’s when the cupbearer remembers Joseph. Then Joseph gets called to interpret the dream and becomes the Prime Minister of Egypt as a result. That’s like the 2nd in charge over everything. Pretty high rank for a shepherd boy sold into slavery 13 years earlier.
Joseph was 17 when sold into slavery (Gen 37:2), a slave for Potiphar for 11 years, imprisoned for 2 years (Gen 41:1) and at the age of 30, he was promoted by the (Gen 41:46). That’s a lot to go through and never lose faith. I wonder if there were times when he didn’t know what to do? Times when his faith was a struggle inside of him? Times when he called out for God to rescue him or even avenge him? I don’t know. What I do know is it was a rough upbringing with a good outcome in the end. Not only for Joseph, but also for his family, and eventually (generations later) this actually became a necessary life change for Jesus to come many years later from this same blood line. Wow huh? So big picture here:
• If Joseph’s brothers never sell him to the Midianites, then Joseph never goes to Egypt.
• If Joseph never goes to Egypt, he never is sold to Potiphar.
• If he is never sold to Potiphar, Potiphar’s wife never falsely accuses him of rape.
• If Potiphar’s wife never falsely accuses him of rape, then he is never put in prison.
• If he is never put in prison, he never meets the baker and butler of Pharaoh.
• If he never meets the baker and butler of Pharaoh, he never interprets their dreams.
• If he never interprets their dreams, he never gets to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams.
• If he never gets to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, he never is made prime minister.
• If he is never made prime minister, he never wisely administrates for the severe famine coming upon the region.
• If he never wisely administrates for the severe famine coming upon the region, then his family back in Canaan perishes from the famine.
• If his family back in Canaan perishes from the famine, the Messiah can’t come forth from a dead family.
• If the Messiah can’t come forth, then Jesus never came.
• If Jesus never came, you are dead in your sins and without hope in this world.
© 2006 David Guzik
When Joseph was reunited with his brothers and he finally told them who he was, they were afraid but Joseph said,
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Genesis 50:20 (New International Version)
I wonder if one day Will would say the same thing to someone…. What the devil meant for evil, the Lord intended for good. Look at what has now been accomplished.
• If my mom never ran away, then she likely wouldn’t have turned to drugs and alcohol
• If my mom never turned to drugs and alcohol, she likely wouldn’t have ended up in the atmosphere where she met my genetic father
• If she never met my genetic father, then I was never born
• If I was never born, then I never would have gotten into saltwater tanks
• If I never got involved with the saltwater group and went to the events, then I never would have met the 15 year old’s father
• If I never met him, then I never would’ve met her
• If I never met her, then I never would’ve been able to connect her with my cousin and his wife
• If I never connected them, then Will wouldn’t be will….
And his father wouldn’t be a decorated military man of God. His mom (a woman of integrity) wouldn’t have spent years preparing for him and seeking after him to raise as her own. And he wouldn’t now live 3 hours from the beach in a beautiful home with a very large circle of support and love for his upbringing in the Lord. I wonder who he’ll become and how the Lord will use him.
May I encourage you to never give up hope or faith in the Lord. If you love Him and are called according to his purpose, then know that everything will work out for the good. Trust Him and don’t lose sight. He can do great things through what now may seem an endless valley of darkness. Keep your eyes on Him and others will notice that God is with you.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
week of 10-20-10 3rd recorded Bible study
The passage I read was Psalm 107:1-9
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+107%3A1-9&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
Verse 8 sums it up for me,
8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
My son summed it up like this:
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. He helps people north, south, east, and west. He helps people that need water and takes them to a place where they can get it. And He fills people with good things.
As I reflect:
In reflecting, the first thing I noticed about the passage was that in verse two it says, “let the redeemed of the Lord say this – “ and then the psalmist continues in sharing thanks for God’s unfailing love by saying how the Lord delivered his children from their distress and led them to where they could settle. It talks about His wonderful deeds for men by satisfying their thirst and hunger with good things. What stood out to me here as well as many other places in the word is that this was specific to a genre of people. This was the thanks given by the “redeemed”… The saved. A friend of mine on facebook recently posted a reminder for the secular world to read the full verse before quoting out of context. I believe they have an excellent point. The specific verse they were speaking on was all things work together for the good….(for those who love God and are called according to his purpose). It’s true, far too many times the secular world would like to take the promises that are said only of the saved, and say those promises of themselves. But these are things that the unsaved don’t fully understand. Just as in this passage when thanks is given for redemption. How can the lost fully grasp what this means if they have yet to take hold of the saving grace of Jesus’ blood on the cross? How can a dying world thank God for being filled when they hunger and thirst when they don’t understand the context. For He fills us with good things because we hunger and thirst for Him. I think the secular artist of this age paint a good picture of what I’m trying to say. They stand on stage after writing songs that glorify pre-maritial sex, drugs, lust, having other gods (ie. Money, material possessions), and following after things in this world, and then they give “thanks” to God. I have to say that they don’t understand redemption because they haven’t been redeemed. When I thank God, it’s because I know what I have been saved from. I know that my every breath comes from Him. I know that if there is anything good in my life, it is because of Jesus. His Holy Spirit has provided every good characteristic in me as a bi-product of my experiences and seeking His wisdom. I thank God because I know where I was and where I was headed. I thank God because when I seek Him and I don’t give up, I find Him. He answers my prayer. He leads me to feed on every word that comes from his mouth.
My son said:
I think it means to thank God for his love and for all that He has provided us.
My response to the Lord:
Dearest Father in Heaven, I know what you have saved me from. You and you alone have pulled me from the depths of hell and redeemed me among men. You chose me, and by your mercy you forgave my sinful self. You lifted my head and led me by your spirit daily working sanctification into my life. Lord, you covered me in your son’s righteous blood… There is no sacrifice greater than that you sacrificed for me…. A sinner who had turned his back on all that you were. I am so thankful that you chased after me and didn’t let me go. I am thankful that you reached in and took my heart of stone and melted it. Thank you for removing what used to be me, and installing the upgrade that only you could give. May I function well as a part of your body, by the only means of showing my thankfulness to you – being a light into the dark. In Jesus name.
My son said:
Dear Lord, thank you for loving us. Thank you for giving us the good that we don’t deserve and please keep us from doing wrong and keep us clean.
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+107%3A1-9&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
Verse 8 sums it up for me,
8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
My son summed it up like this:
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. He helps people north, south, east, and west. He helps people that need water and takes them to a place where they can get it. And He fills people with good things.
As I reflect:
In reflecting, the first thing I noticed about the passage was that in verse two it says, “let the redeemed of the Lord say this – “ and then the psalmist continues in sharing thanks for God’s unfailing love by saying how the Lord delivered his children from their distress and led them to where they could settle. It talks about His wonderful deeds for men by satisfying their thirst and hunger with good things. What stood out to me here as well as many other places in the word is that this was specific to a genre of people. This was the thanks given by the “redeemed”… The saved. A friend of mine on facebook recently posted a reminder for the secular world to read the full verse before quoting out of context. I believe they have an excellent point. The specific verse they were speaking on was all things work together for the good….(for those who love God and are called according to his purpose). It’s true, far too many times the secular world would like to take the promises that are said only of the saved, and say those promises of themselves. But these are things that the unsaved don’t fully understand. Just as in this passage when thanks is given for redemption. How can the lost fully grasp what this means if they have yet to take hold of the saving grace of Jesus’ blood on the cross? How can a dying world thank God for being filled when they hunger and thirst when they don’t understand the context. For He fills us with good things because we hunger and thirst for Him. I think the secular artist of this age paint a good picture of what I’m trying to say. They stand on stage after writing songs that glorify pre-maritial sex, drugs, lust, having other gods (ie. Money, material possessions), and following after things in this world, and then they give “thanks” to God. I have to say that they don’t understand redemption because they haven’t been redeemed. When I thank God, it’s because I know what I have been saved from. I know that my every breath comes from Him. I know that if there is anything good in my life, it is because of Jesus. His Holy Spirit has provided every good characteristic in me as a bi-product of my experiences and seeking His wisdom. I thank God because I know where I was and where I was headed. I thank God because when I seek Him and I don’t give up, I find Him. He answers my prayer. He leads me to feed on every word that comes from his mouth.
My son said:
I think it means to thank God for his love and for all that He has provided us.
My response to the Lord:
Dearest Father in Heaven, I know what you have saved me from. You and you alone have pulled me from the depths of hell and redeemed me among men. You chose me, and by your mercy you forgave my sinful self. You lifted my head and led me by your spirit daily working sanctification into my life. Lord, you covered me in your son’s righteous blood… There is no sacrifice greater than that you sacrificed for me…. A sinner who had turned his back on all that you were. I am so thankful that you chased after me and didn’t let me go. I am thankful that you reached in and took my heart of stone and melted it. Thank you for removing what used to be me, and installing the upgrade that only you could give. May I function well as a part of your body, by the only means of showing my thankfulness to you – being a light into the dark. In Jesus name.
My son said:
Dear Lord, thank you for loving us. Thank you for giving us the good that we don’t deserve and please keep us from doing wrong and keep us clean.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
week of 10-20-10 2nd recorded Bible study
This is a blog of the ongoing Bible studies me and my (currently 9 year old) son are doing together. His answers follow my own. You are encouraged to follow along and simply erase our answers and insert your own. feel free to share if you'd like as well. we'd love to hear from you.
The passage we read was Psalm 145:1-21
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+145%3A1-21&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
The Lord is great and worthy of praise. We should receive from the last generation their stories of His greatness and pass them on to our kids. We should meditate on His wonderful works and tell others about them. Celebrate and be joyous. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and He loves his creation. He upholds all who fall and lifts up those who are bowed down. He feeds us. He is righteous. He loves us. He is near those who call on him in truth. He hears and answers those who fear him. He watches over those who love him, but destroys the wicked. Praise Him.
My son said:
They’re talking about how great Jesus is and how they praise Him.
As I reflect:
That’s a hard one to summarize. Each verse seems to point out yet another wonderful thing about our God. As I read this passage, I was reminded of a situation in my own life. I realize that often in this day and age we don’t hand down a story from generation to generation anymore. It seems to all be converted to electronic and possibly adjusted media now. Although that can make it hard to believe in some of the findings being shared on the internet, I personally can say I have seen and heard of miracles from those that I know would not lie or modify the story. I personally share the evidence of God and His miracles in my life with my children on a daily.
Here are the verses that got me thinking:
6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
This reminds me of when my wife and I were discussing our finances so long ago in our first apartment. My wife kept telling me she felt like it was time to move and I kept responding that our finances weren’t in order yet and we didn’t have enough extra money to consider moving up yet when we could barely afford where we were at. My argument to my wife was that we needed to be good stewards of our money before the Lord would bless us with a larger place. My wife’s position was one that I couldn’t deny came from the Holy Spirit speaking to her. She said to me, “Honey, do you remember the story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus?” “yes” “You remember how the weather was?” I said “yes, it was a huge storm. Your point?” She replied, “Peter didn’t wait for the weather to be calm before he stepped out of the boat. And If you will keep your eyes on Jesus, I know this storm won’t affect the blessings He has in store for us.” With that being the end of that conversation, I was stumped… I couldn’t argue with her willingness to take a leap of faith and I jumped on board as we stepped out of the boat in the middle of a financial storm. The very next day when I got home from work, she had a list of houses to go and look at and off we went. At the very first house, we saw the largest back yard we had ever seen among any family member or friend. It had huge shade trees and a living room that seemed to go on forever. A tri-level house with three bedrooms and a garage?! “Wow”, I thought, “there’s no way we can afford something like this”. And despite my doubt, we had prayed together previously that He would open doors no one could close if He wanted us somewhere, and close doors that no one could open if He didn’t. As we were preparing to leave and thanking the gentleman for his time, he got off the cell phone he had and handed me the keys to the place saying, “My dad says these belong to you.” And so it is today that we live in that house and we pay just $50 more than what we paid every month in that small apartment. Well, after that transaction I can’t think of a single friend or family member we didn’t tell. As me and the kiddos work on landscaping or improving upon the house, I have been asked more than once why we were doing it. I always tell them of the grace God had on us by using this man to bless us and that we would bless him back by improving upon his property so that when we leave, it’s worth more, not less.
I think stories like that are important to share. Some people call it coincidence but for those that love God and are called according to His purpose, we know it’s a much different thing. We don’t share the stories with people because of coincidence. We are sharing of the mighty and wonderful God we serve who is worthy of all praise and glory. There are many miracles big and small, noticeable and hidden that I have shared with friends, family, strangers, work colleagues, etc. This is something we should always do. We should share and pass on the stories of what the Lord has done in our lives and it doesn’t have to be something huge like being raised from the dead or having a total care destruction type accident without even a scratch. You could share something that is easy to miss but may just be enough of a reminder to the person you share with that the Lord is gracious and compassionate. I believe the point here is to be joyful because of what the Lord has done (every good thing big and small) and to share it with others.
My son reflected:
That we need to tell other people about Jesus and what He did for us. And then those people can also talk about Him.
My response to the Lord:
Lord… You know me to be a man not eloquent with words. I am no longer articulate or as intellectual as I was in my youth (a result of my own past choices to sin). But, Lord if my articulation was to be granted back to me for one moment in time, I long that it would be used to better worship and exalt your Holy Name. Father…You have made me glad beyond description and so I sing to you day and night. There are not enough words understood by my feeble mind to describe your wonders enough. That I would never cease to share your glorious works with others Lord, let that be my prayer. Speak through me as I attempt to share what you have done and are continuing to do during this journey Father. Hear my voice as I sing your praises, for this is my gift back to you Abba. Be pleased at the joy you have caused in my life. In Jesus Name…
My son responded:
Dear Lord, thank you for all of your creations and all you’ve done for us. Amen
The passage we read was Psalm 145:1-21
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+145%3A1-21&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
The Lord is great and worthy of praise. We should receive from the last generation their stories of His greatness and pass them on to our kids. We should meditate on His wonderful works and tell others about them. Celebrate and be joyous. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and He loves his creation. He upholds all who fall and lifts up those who are bowed down. He feeds us. He is righteous. He loves us. He is near those who call on him in truth. He hears and answers those who fear him. He watches over those who love him, but destroys the wicked. Praise Him.
My son said:
They’re talking about how great Jesus is and how they praise Him.
As I reflect:
That’s a hard one to summarize. Each verse seems to point out yet another wonderful thing about our God. As I read this passage, I was reminded of a situation in my own life. I realize that often in this day and age we don’t hand down a story from generation to generation anymore. It seems to all be converted to electronic and possibly adjusted media now. Although that can make it hard to believe in some of the findings being shared on the internet, I personally can say I have seen and heard of miracles from those that I know would not lie or modify the story. I personally share the evidence of God and His miracles in my life with my children on a daily.
Here are the verses that got me thinking:
6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
This reminds me of when my wife and I were discussing our finances so long ago in our first apartment. My wife kept telling me she felt like it was time to move and I kept responding that our finances weren’t in order yet and we didn’t have enough extra money to consider moving up yet when we could barely afford where we were at. My argument to my wife was that we needed to be good stewards of our money before the Lord would bless us with a larger place. My wife’s position was one that I couldn’t deny came from the Holy Spirit speaking to her. She said to me, “Honey, do you remember the story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus?” “yes” “You remember how the weather was?” I said “yes, it was a huge storm. Your point?” She replied, “Peter didn’t wait for the weather to be calm before he stepped out of the boat. And If you will keep your eyes on Jesus, I know this storm won’t affect the blessings He has in store for us.” With that being the end of that conversation, I was stumped… I couldn’t argue with her willingness to take a leap of faith and I jumped on board as we stepped out of the boat in the middle of a financial storm. The very next day when I got home from work, she had a list of houses to go and look at and off we went. At the very first house, we saw the largest back yard we had ever seen among any family member or friend. It had huge shade trees and a living room that seemed to go on forever. A tri-level house with three bedrooms and a garage?! “Wow”, I thought, “there’s no way we can afford something like this”. And despite my doubt, we had prayed together previously that He would open doors no one could close if He wanted us somewhere, and close doors that no one could open if He didn’t. As we were preparing to leave and thanking the gentleman for his time, he got off the cell phone he had and handed me the keys to the place saying, “My dad says these belong to you.” And so it is today that we live in that house and we pay just $50 more than what we paid every month in that small apartment. Well, after that transaction I can’t think of a single friend or family member we didn’t tell. As me and the kiddos work on landscaping or improving upon the house, I have been asked more than once why we were doing it. I always tell them of the grace God had on us by using this man to bless us and that we would bless him back by improving upon his property so that when we leave, it’s worth more, not less.
I think stories like that are important to share. Some people call it coincidence but for those that love God and are called according to His purpose, we know it’s a much different thing. We don’t share the stories with people because of coincidence. We are sharing of the mighty and wonderful God we serve who is worthy of all praise and glory. There are many miracles big and small, noticeable and hidden that I have shared with friends, family, strangers, work colleagues, etc. This is something we should always do. We should share and pass on the stories of what the Lord has done in our lives and it doesn’t have to be something huge like being raised from the dead or having a total care destruction type accident without even a scratch. You could share something that is easy to miss but may just be enough of a reminder to the person you share with that the Lord is gracious and compassionate. I believe the point here is to be joyful because of what the Lord has done (every good thing big and small) and to share it with others.
My son reflected:
That we need to tell other people about Jesus and what He did for us. And then those people can also talk about Him.
My response to the Lord:
Lord… You know me to be a man not eloquent with words. I am no longer articulate or as intellectual as I was in my youth (a result of my own past choices to sin). But, Lord if my articulation was to be granted back to me for one moment in time, I long that it would be used to better worship and exalt your Holy Name. Father…You have made me glad beyond description and so I sing to you day and night. There are not enough words understood by my feeble mind to describe your wonders enough. That I would never cease to share your glorious works with others Lord, let that be my prayer. Speak through me as I attempt to share what you have done and are continuing to do during this journey Father. Hear my voice as I sing your praises, for this is my gift back to you Abba. Be pleased at the joy you have caused in my life. In Jesus Name…
My son responded:
Dear Lord, thank you for all of your creations and all you’ve done for us. Amen
week of 10-20-10 1st recorded Bible study
It was on this night that my son no longer just listened and learned, but also shared his own responses. I will share them in the same way he shared with me. He is currently 9 and his responses will follow mine.
The passage I read was Mark 10:17-22
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A17-22&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
A man expressed his desire to get eternal life. After he expressed this to Jesus, Jesus asked him if he knew the commands and then he listed 6 commands prohibiting wrong actions and attitudes against others. The man said he had followed all these commands. Jesus knew that there was an obstacle in the man’s path to Heaven. The man valued his riches even more than a relationship with Christ and thus He told the man to go and sell all his belongings and then to come back and follow him. The man was sad cuz he was very wealthy.
My son's summary:
A man went up to Jesus and said how can I go to Heaven. The man called Jesus good teacher. And Jesus said no one is good except God. Jesus said go sell all your stuff and then come follow me, and the man walked away sad because the man cared about his money more than Jesus.
As I reflect:
To say that the world puts their possessions before God is an understatement. This is something that most Christians know. I believe what I can take from this is a reminder that Christians also have this same struggle often. It is sometimes hard to take time out of the day to do a Bible study. It shouldn’t be…. But it is sometimes a chore. We need to get back to the basics here and remember what our walk is all about. It’s not about our job, our favorite tv show or having a brew with the neighbor. It’s about Jesus. If we can remember at all times to keep Him the center of our lives and put nothing before Him, than we too should have this “treasure in heaven” that Jesus spoke of to the man. We too, are offered an eternal gift of Christ’s presence if we will but persevere and keep our eyes on him. Let’s remember not to let our daily routines get between us and the Lord’s will for us. Put God first, and everything else will follow.
My son's reflection:
We are like that man. People are. People like their stuff more and don’t read the Bible. So we should be sure that we read the Bible every day so we know what Jesus is saying. Tell other people about Jesus. Show them Jesus is more important than our stuff.
My response to the Lord:
Dear Lord, I am sorry. I apologize to Your Highness. For I have sinned against you far too often in placing things before you. You are worth so much more than just the short times in a day that I spend speaking to you or learning your Word. I do have a desire to spend more time with you, but admit that my flesh is often very weak and falls into the distractions of this world. Lord, I have dedicated myself to you time and time again, that you would simply use me as you will. However, I fail often in being useful as I am not focusing on you. Help my spiritual ADHD that I may keep you at the center of everything I am living for. Lord, guide and convict me through your Holy Spirit daily to keep my eyes on you and not get side tracked in the darkened world. In Jesus name.
My son's response:
Dear Lord, please help us get into your word more often so we don’t be like that man. And, help people by giving away our stuff. Amen
The passage I read was Mark 10:17-22
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A17-22&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
A man expressed his desire to get eternal life. After he expressed this to Jesus, Jesus asked him if he knew the commands and then he listed 6 commands prohibiting wrong actions and attitudes against others. The man said he had followed all these commands. Jesus knew that there was an obstacle in the man’s path to Heaven. The man valued his riches even more than a relationship with Christ and thus He told the man to go and sell all his belongings and then to come back and follow him. The man was sad cuz he was very wealthy.
My son's summary:
A man went up to Jesus and said how can I go to Heaven. The man called Jesus good teacher. And Jesus said no one is good except God. Jesus said go sell all your stuff and then come follow me, and the man walked away sad because the man cared about his money more than Jesus.
As I reflect:
To say that the world puts their possessions before God is an understatement. This is something that most Christians know. I believe what I can take from this is a reminder that Christians also have this same struggle often. It is sometimes hard to take time out of the day to do a Bible study. It shouldn’t be…. But it is sometimes a chore. We need to get back to the basics here and remember what our walk is all about. It’s not about our job, our favorite tv show or having a brew with the neighbor. It’s about Jesus. If we can remember at all times to keep Him the center of our lives and put nothing before Him, than we too should have this “treasure in heaven” that Jesus spoke of to the man. We too, are offered an eternal gift of Christ’s presence if we will but persevere and keep our eyes on him. Let’s remember not to let our daily routines get between us and the Lord’s will for us. Put God first, and everything else will follow.
My son's reflection:
We are like that man. People are. People like their stuff more and don’t read the Bible. So we should be sure that we read the Bible every day so we know what Jesus is saying. Tell other people about Jesus. Show them Jesus is more important than our stuff.
My response to the Lord:
Dear Lord, I am sorry. I apologize to Your Highness. For I have sinned against you far too often in placing things before you. You are worth so much more than just the short times in a day that I spend speaking to you or learning your Word. I do have a desire to spend more time with you, but admit that my flesh is often very weak and falls into the distractions of this world. Lord, I have dedicated myself to you time and time again, that you would simply use me as you will. However, I fail often in being useful as I am not focusing on you. Help my spiritual ADHD that I may keep you at the center of everything I am living for. Lord, guide and convict me through your Holy Spirit daily to keep my eyes on you and not get side tracked in the darkened world. In Jesus name.
My son's response:
Dear Lord, please help us get into your word more often so we don’t be like that man. And, help people by giving away our stuff. Amen
week of 10-13-10 4th recorded Bible study
The passage I read was Isaiah 45:18-25
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2045:18-25&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
To me, the passage is stating several things. One area of discussion is that God will have no other gods before him. It’s a command and must be followed. Another area it seems to discuss is the jealousy of God; the longing for his children to come back to him. He is not only jealous of the wanderings of his chosen but also of those that have not yet chosen to follow. In this passage he lays down a very good argument for following him. The Lord points out that many have prophesied in His name about things that have since come to be. So if God has told man what is to happen, and then it happened, how come people haven’t realized that the rest of what he said must be true also? That’s a huge point here I think. God is saying we have all the proof needed that His word is true and that He is the living and all powerful God of creation. Come and follow Him. He also gives the alternative. He says every knee will bow, but makes it a point to separate those who would bow by force verse those who bow now by choice. There is a different outcome for them both. One will be found righteous and will exult, the other is put to shame. In summary, clearly the passage says that we are to seek/come to God, be saved, and then present His truths to others so that they too may be lead to the cross. But don’t take my word for it…. Take a gander into the Word of the Almighty.
As I reflect:
In looking at what the passage is asking of me; what God is telling me, I have found that there are a couple commands in this passage: Draw near to God, be saved, and have no other God’s before me. Taking these things into consideration, I can say that I am following the commands in this passage. What else is there I wondered. He is talking to the lost it would seem. Calling out to those that have wandered away from Him and think they can find answers else where. Through several versions of the Bible I read. I was eventually led to read the King James version and verse 24 stood out to me most here.
24Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
Pretty well sums it up to me. In the Lord = righteousness and strength. Not in the Lord = Ashamed. I have been there. Before I was saved I sought out worldly wisdom. I tried to gain by my own means and I ignored God as much as I could. I ran from Him straight into the darkness and tried to be of this world. But I couldn’t stay there. I just couldn’t stand the sin I was covered in. I couldn’t stand. the life style that was leading me not into Heavens gates, but directly into a hell of solitude. I was lost and ashamed and at the end of my rope when I picked up a Bible in a homeless shelter and said a prayer that I could start over and be different this time. I have since that time grown in strength and righteousness that is not my own. I have found that in the Lord I have these things given to me freely as I follow after Him. The Word of God is indeed truth, and it is powerful.
My response to the Lord:
Lord God, You never gave up on me. You knew where my road would take me and you continuously left messages and signs for me to turn around and run to you. You were waiting for me to pick up your word that night and spend time praying to you and listening to what you had to share with me. Thank you Father. It is only because of you that I am alive today and have a future in your kingdom. Lord place in me a heart to seek and save that which was lost. Lord help me to be used by you in the salvation of others that are headed down that same road I was on so that one day they would be freed from their shame and be able to say they have righteousness and strength in you. I love you Father. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2045:18-25&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
To me, the passage is stating several things. One area of discussion is that God will have no other gods before him. It’s a command and must be followed. Another area it seems to discuss is the jealousy of God; the longing for his children to come back to him. He is not only jealous of the wanderings of his chosen but also of those that have not yet chosen to follow. In this passage he lays down a very good argument for following him. The Lord points out that many have prophesied in His name about things that have since come to be. So if God has told man what is to happen, and then it happened, how come people haven’t realized that the rest of what he said must be true also? That’s a huge point here I think. God is saying we have all the proof needed that His word is true and that He is the living and all powerful God of creation. Come and follow Him. He also gives the alternative. He says every knee will bow, but makes it a point to separate those who would bow by force verse those who bow now by choice. There is a different outcome for them both. One will be found righteous and will exult, the other is put to shame. In summary, clearly the passage says that we are to seek/come to God, be saved, and then present His truths to others so that they too may be lead to the cross. But don’t take my word for it…. Take a gander into the Word of the Almighty.
As I reflect:
In looking at what the passage is asking of me; what God is telling me, I have found that there are a couple commands in this passage: Draw near to God, be saved, and have no other God’s before me. Taking these things into consideration, I can say that I am following the commands in this passage. What else is there I wondered. He is talking to the lost it would seem. Calling out to those that have wandered away from Him and think they can find answers else where. Through several versions of the Bible I read. I was eventually led to read the King James version and verse 24 stood out to me most here.
24Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
Pretty well sums it up to me. In the Lord = righteousness and strength. Not in the Lord = Ashamed. I have been there. Before I was saved I sought out worldly wisdom. I tried to gain by my own means and I ignored God as much as I could. I ran from Him straight into the darkness and tried to be of this world. But I couldn’t stay there. I just couldn’t stand the sin I was covered in. I couldn’t stand. the life style that was leading me not into Heavens gates, but directly into a hell of solitude. I was lost and ashamed and at the end of my rope when I picked up a Bible in a homeless shelter and said a prayer that I could start over and be different this time. I have since that time grown in strength and righteousness that is not my own. I have found that in the Lord I have these things given to me freely as I follow after Him. The Word of God is indeed truth, and it is powerful.
My response to the Lord:
Lord God, You never gave up on me. You knew where my road would take me and you continuously left messages and signs for me to turn around and run to you. You were waiting for me to pick up your word that night and spend time praying to you and listening to what you had to share with me. Thank you Father. It is only because of you that I am alive today and have a future in your kingdom. Lord place in me a heart to seek and save that which was lost. Lord help me to be used by you in the salvation of others that are headed down that same road I was on so that one day they would be freed from their shame and be able to say they have righteousness and strength in you. I love you Father. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
week of 10-13-10 3rd recorded Bible study
The passage I read was Isaiah 11:1-10
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2011:1-10&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
There is no real good way that I can think of to summarize this other than to say that this is a prophecy of things yet to come and some things that have since passed. At the time it was written, it was talking about the first and second coming of Jesus and the kingdom of God to follow. The first time as God incarnate and then events following the rapture for the believer. It speaks of the condition of the house of David when Jesus was born (thus the cut off tree and small rod (Jesus) that shot out of the bottom of the stump (broken almost gone house of David/descendent from his line). And it tells of His wondrous character and power as He walked the Earth and when we are again graced by His physical presence. Through this prophecy it is very eloquently worded and beautiful to here. Almost seems like poetry. I encourage you to read it in any version of the Bible. If you are a believer, you will smile.
As I reflect:
Some verses stand out to me:
3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.
10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.
As for reflecting, well…. I gotta say reading this just made me really look forward to seeing my King and being able to say I’m finally home. I know that until then, we all have a purpose and mine is to answer the calling and raise my children to do the same. This requires more than myself. It requires the Lord, for I am unable to accomplish His will without His Holy Spirit living in and through me. All that is possible in my life is because He allows me breath. In these verses I have seen more of His characteristics that I am to reflect in my own life. He shows the priority and reminds me that He has come to seek and save the lost, care for the oppressed, feed the hungry, use the Word of God to slay the wicked. I too should have the faith to stand for what is right and help those that the Lord has enabled me to help. I should use the Word of God (my Sword of the Spirit) to fight in this ongoing war against evil. I should mount all of the armor of God daily and not forget even for a moment who is with me and to Whom the battle belongs.
My response to the Lord:
Thank you Jesus for setting an example that no number of words could have fully explained. Thank you for your walk on earth; for everything you said and did here to show us love, discernment, mercy, endurance, wisdom, and so much more. Thank you for your gift of salvation that you took our shame on the cross and that you bore my punishment for me. May I learn from you all of my days. I pray that you would help me to apply your holy word daily to my life and the lives of those I come in contact with. May there never be a moment that my identity if forgotten, for my identity is in you. May I never forget where I have come from because of your reaching in and pulling me from fire. May I always share the love you have shown me Jesus. Amen
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2011:1-10&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
There is no real good way that I can think of to summarize this other than to say that this is a prophecy of things yet to come and some things that have since passed. At the time it was written, it was talking about the first and second coming of Jesus and the kingdom of God to follow. The first time as God incarnate and then events following the rapture for the believer. It speaks of the condition of the house of David when Jesus was born (thus the cut off tree and small rod (Jesus) that shot out of the bottom of the stump (broken almost gone house of David/descendent from his line). And it tells of His wondrous character and power as He walked the Earth and when we are again graced by His physical presence. Through this prophecy it is very eloquently worded and beautiful to here. Almost seems like poetry. I encourage you to read it in any version of the Bible. If you are a believer, you will smile.
As I reflect:
Some verses stand out to me:
3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.
10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.
As for reflecting, well…. I gotta say reading this just made me really look forward to seeing my King and being able to say I’m finally home. I know that until then, we all have a purpose and mine is to answer the calling and raise my children to do the same. This requires more than myself. It requires the Lord, for I am unable to accomplish His will without His Holy Spirit living in and through me. All that is possible in my life is because He allows me breath. In these verses I have seen more of His characteristics that I am to reflect in my own life. He shows the priority and reminds me that He has come to seek and save the lost, care for the oppressed, feed the hungry, use the Word of God to slay the wicked. I too should have the faith to stand for what is right and help those that the Lord has enabled me to help. I should use the Word of God (my Sword of the Spirit) to fight in this ongoing war against evil. I should mount all of the armor of God daily and not forget even for a moment who is with me and to Whom the battle belongs.
My response to the Lord:
Thank you Jesus for setting an example that no number of words could have fully explained. Thank you for your walk on earth; for everything you said and did here to show us love, discernment, mercy, endurance, wisdom, and so much more. Thank you for your gift of salvation that you took our shame on the cross and that you bore my punishment for me. May I learn from you all of my days. I pray that you would help me to apply your holy word daily to my life and the lives of those I come in contact with. May there never be a moment that my identity if forgotten, for my identity is in you. May I never forget where I have come from because of your reaching in and pulling me from fire. May I always share the love you have shown me Jesus. Amen
week of 10-13-10 2nd recorded Bible study
The passage I read was Gen 18:20-33
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2018:20-33&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
God tells Abraham that he is going to destroy the city of Sodom. Abraham pleads with God for the sake of the righteous in the town. Saying “what if there are just 50 righteous people?” And God says that he won’t destroy the city if there are just 50 righteous people in it. Then Abraham speaks to the Lord again asking what if it was just 40 righteous people or 30…. So forth and so on Abraham tries the patience of his God until he has requested the city be saved if even 10 righteous people are in it, and God agreed.
As I reflect:
I had a hard time reflecting on this particular passage as it didn’t seem to have any life application at first. Then I realized I have more tools available to me than they did back then. So I looked at a couple commentaries online to get a better understanding of the significance of this passage and how it related to me. I was surprised at just how relevant it became after further research. In one commentary, Abraham was compared to Christ in that they both had compassion on someone that was undeserving and they both acted as an intercessor for those people (as Christ still does for us to this day through his Holy Spirit). I have to admit, that’s rather impressive. I wonder if I would have so much compassion on a city like Sodom. You see, I struggle with judgment. Not a righteous judgment either. I am often putting myself in the seat that only the Lord should occupy and from that place I make hasty finger pointings far too often presuming I’m better than those on the other end of the finger… It’s a horrible sin and it’s being worked out by the Holy Spirit and my willingness and desire to be changed. Here is a situation that I know I would fail in. I would most likely see a city like Sodom (we have many of them here in the US and across the world these days) and be almost vengeful or happy that the Lord was finally going to clean up this place by destroying all the evil. After reading this however, I am turned back from that thought. I am reminded that God is just… yes. But, He is also compassionate and I as a Christian am to reflect this nature in my life as well. Besides, If my goal is to be used in leading people to the cross, how much better a tool would I be if used in compassion rather than judgment?
My response to the Lord:
Holy Lord, you are my Provider and Protector. How undeserving a sinful man am I. I am a wretched man who far too often does the things I do not want to do, and fails to do the things I ought to. Yet, you have saved me from the penalty of death and eternal separation from you at the price of your Son’s blood on the cross. I now wear that blood Father. I know the price that was paid for me and I know that a great deal of your grace and mercy has covered me whole providing the only way I could ever have been forgiven and adopted by you. Please Father work in me that same mercy and grace that I may have compassion on others as you have had on me. I am but a humble servant that you have called friend. May I reflect the character that you have shown me and always be mindful that the judgment seat is forever yours.
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2018:20-33&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
God tells Abraham that he is going to destroy the city of Sodom. Abraham pleads with God for the sake of the righteous in the town. Saying “what if there are just 50 righteous people?” And God says that he won’t destroy the city if there are just 50 righteous people in it. Then Abraham speaks to the Lord again asking what if it was just 40 righteous people or 30…. So forth and so on Abraham tries the patience of his God until he has requested the city be saved if even 10 righteous people are in it, and God agreed.
As I reflect:
I had a hard time reflecting on this particular passage as it didn’t seem to have any life application at first. Then I realized I have more tools available to me than they did back then. So I looked at a couple commentaries online to get a better understanding of the significance of this passage and how it related to me. I was surprised at just how relevant it became after further research. In one commentary, Abraham was compared to Christ in that they both had compassion on someone that was undeserving and they both acted as an intercessor for those people (as Christ still does for us to this day through his Holy Spirit). I have to admit, that’s rather impressive. I wonder if I would have so much compassion on a city like Sodom. You see, I struggle with judgment. Not a righteous judgment either. I am often putting myself in the seat that only the Lord should occupy and from that place I make hasty finger pointings far too often presuming I’m better than those on the other end of the finger… It’s a horrible sin and it’s being worked out by the Holy Spirit and my willingness and desire to be changed. Here is a situation that I know I would fail in. I would most likely see a city like Sodom (we have many of them here in the US and across the world these days) and be almost vengeful or happy that the Lord was finally going to clean up this place by destroying all the evil. After reading this however, I am turned back from that thought. I am reminded that God is just… yes. But, He is also compassionate and I as a Christian am to reflect this nature in my life as well. Besides, If my goal is to be used in leading people to the cross, how much better a tool would I be if used in compassion rather than judgment?
My response to the Lord:
Holy Lord, you are my Provider and Protector. How undeserving a sinful man am I. I am a wretched man who far too often does the things I do not want to do, and fails to do the things I ought to. Yet, you have saved me from the penalty of death and eternal separation from you at the price of your Son’s blood on the cross. I now wear that blood Father. I know the price that was paid for me and I know that a great deal of your grace and mercy has covered me whole providing the only way I could ever have been forgiven and adopted by you. Please Father work in me that same mercy and grace that I may have compassion on others as you have had on me. I am but a humble servant that you have called friend. May I reflect the character that you have shown me and always be mindful that the judgment seat is forever yours.
week of 10-13-10 1st recorded Bible study
The passage I read was Ecc 12:1-14
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecc%2012:1-14&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
Get to Know God now. Don’t wait till later. And be careful who you listen to and what you read in the process of getting to know God. Simply Fear God & keep his commandments. “God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing” (whether it’s good or evil).
As I reflect:
Don’t put off getting to know your creator (you may not have tomorrow), but even if you decide to know him now, receive knowledge and wisdom from trusted sources like; the Bible, leaders in your church that are trust worthy and reflect living by the Holy Spirit, and friends who likewise exhibit by their fruit a walk that is founded in Christ. If you have an area of your life that is hidden from everyone else, know that it’s not hidden from God. I would encourage you to give that area to Him now. Confess and begin the change that he can do through you.
My response to the Lord:
Lord, may I never put off anything that you have led me to do. If today I am to witness in the Walmart parking lot, then may I not procrastinate your will in my life. Whether it is a hard or easy thing you ask of me, may I faithfully serve you now. May I help others to realize the urgency of getting to know you while they have a change to do so. Life is too short to gamble. Please speak through me Father. Holy Spirit please put your words in my mouth and help be to be bold in sharing your truth with the lost. They just don’t know how short our time on Earth really is. May I not hide anything from you Lord. My life is completely open for you to mold and shape as you please, for I am fully devoted to you. In Jesus name.
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecc%2012:1-14&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
Get to Know God now. Don’t wait till later. And be careful who you listen to and what you read in the process of getting to know God. Simply Fear God & keep his commandments. “God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing” (whether it’s good or evil).
As I reflect:
Don’t put off getting to know your creator (you may not have tomorrow), but even if you decide to know him now, receive knowledge and wisdom from trusted sources like; the Bible, leaders in your church that are trust worthy and reflect living by the Holy Spirit, and friends who likewise exhibit by their fruit a walk that is founded in Christ. If you have an area of your life that is hidden from everyone else, know that it’s not hidden from God. I would encourage you to give that area to Him now. Confess and begin the change that he can do through you.
My response to the Lord:
Lord, may I never put off anything that you have led me to do. If today I am to witness in the Walmart parking lot, then may I not procrastinate your will in my life. Whether it is a hard or easy thing you ask of me, may I faithfully serve you now. May I help others to realize the urgency of getting to know you while they have a change to do so. Life is too short to gamble. Please speak through me Father. Holy Spirit please put your words in my mouth and help be to be bold in sharing your truth with the lost. They just don’t know how short our time on Earth really is. May I not hide anything from you Lord. My life is completely open for you to mold and shape as you please, for I am fully devoted to you. In Jesus name.
week of 10-06-10 4th recorded Bible study
The passage I read was 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%201:18-31&version=NIRV
My summary of the passage is this: If you don’t know the Lord personally, you won’t fully understand His writings. But if you know Him, then his writings can have power when applied. God showed us the wise from the unwise and the intelligent from the unintelligent. God used things that the world didn’t value to bring value into the world. Take the men and women that wrote the Bible for example. Most of them were not great before God chose them and used them to do great things. In this way we can recognize that it was indeed God’s work through man and not man’s earning his own glory. Glory be to God.
As I reflect:A favorite saying is brought to my memory. “God does not call the qualified. He qualified the called.” This passage explains that well. Also, verse 20 stands out to me a bit more than the others. It states that “God made the world’s wisdom foolish”. You gotta love that. That’s my God. He in His perfection and great wisdom has made the weak strong, the wise foolish, and the fool saved. His weakness is stronger than our strongest and His foolishness is wiser than our wisest. Now, I don’t in anyway believe that this passage is saying that God is either foolish or unwise in any way. I just believe that portion to be trying to get the point across that there is no comparison to how great His wisdom is.
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%201:18-31&version=NIRV
My summary of the passage is this: If you don’t know the Lord personally, you won’t fully understand His writings. But if you know Him, then his writings can have power when applied. God showed us the wise from the unwise and the intelligent from the unintelligent. God used things that the world didn’t value to bring value into the world. Take the men and women that wrote the Bible for example. Most of them were not great before God chose them and used them to do great things. In this way we can recognize that it was indeed God’s work through man and not man’s earning his own glory. Glory be to God.
As I reflect:A favorite saying is brought to my memory. “God does not call the qualified. He qualified the called.” This passage explains that well. Also, verse 20 stands out to me a bit more than the others. It states that “God made the world’s wisdom foolish”. You gotta love that. That’s my God. He in His perfection and great wisdom has made the weak strong, the wise foolish, and the fool saved. His weakness is stronger than our strongest and His foolishness is wiser than our wisest. Now, I don’t in anyway believe that this passage is saying that God is either foolish or unwise in any way. I just believe that portion to be trying to get the point across that there is no comparison to how great His wisdom is.
week of 10-06-10 3rd recorded Bible study
The passage I read was Proverbs 2:1-15
You can find the passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%202:1-15&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
Study the Lord’s words and apply them to your life. Search hard and without end for understanding and listen to the Lord’s wisdom. Then you will have understanding from God. This wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men. You will receive Discretion which can protect you and understanding, which will guard you. He gives these things to his faithful ones (the upright whose walk is blameless).
As I reflect:
My summary doesn’t do this passage justice in any way. Be sure to read it yourselves too. I see so “ifs” and “thens” in here. Like “if” – you accept my words…store up my commands…turn ear to wisdom…apply heart to understanding…call out for insight…cry aloud for understanding….search for is as hidden treasure, “then” – you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. So that communicates to me a condition for an offer. I could re word it in the form of a deal. The Lord offers us understanding how to live reverently before him and walkin in His knowledge, if we will put forth the effort to read and apply his Word to our lives and if we will never give up the search for his wisdom and understandings. The passage goes on to explain that The Lord gives wisdom and that knowledge and understanding come from His mouth, and yet we have a world that is fixated on hell with the thought that they can obtain wisdom and understanding without God. They look at the Word of God; the Bible as a book of words without application and power and life. They cannot understand how these words can change and help to mold someone into an entirely new creation over time. The Lord has allowed their hearts to stay hardened to the message because they yearn not for the knowledge of God, but rather they spend their lives seeking the knowledge of man. I am reminded that we will reap what we sow. If then, we seek after the Lord, we should harvest wisdom and knowledge and understanding.
I fell in love with verse 11 right away. It states, “Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.” I have seen this, experienced it first hand so often in life. There are so many times that there is simply not a map or guide to doing something the right or wrong way in life because it hasn’t yet been written down for that exact situation. But in remembering the many stories in the history of the Bible, I can always find someone who went through something similar and based on their experiences or their responses to God, I can best discern how to handle my situation also. I thank the Lord so much for the ability to discern. Though I may not always be right, discerning has certainly helped myself and many others and has been a most powerful tool when used correctly. The verse says this tool will protect you and along with understanding it will guard you. I couldn’t agree more. And so it is with wisdom. If we will but seek to receive and use the wisdom the Lord gives, we can avoid becoming captive to the evil ways of wicked people, and we can stay on straight paths and delight in doing right. How helpful would it be if I tried to lead you away from stealing while I stole? Or, what if I got high while explaining to you how you could loose the bindings of that addiction in your own life? I must first seek after wisdom myself, then use it to discern and stay off the dark and crooked paths, then I may reach to pull another from those ways. This passage speaks so very much information to the value of these tools and as plain as day says the source of them is in the Lord alone.
BTW: In the message version of the Bible, verse 9-15 read almost as poetry. It was really nice to compare that to the NIV.
My response to the Lord:
Dear God, your beauty is beyond the words I know of to define it. You constantly exceed in generosity beyond what I have ever asked. I thank you Lord for the tools and characteristics that you and you alone have provided me with. I thank you for your Word, the sword of the Spirit and your Son in Whom I have salvation. May I use these blessed tools properly to do your will Father. May I keep your words of wisdom on my heart constantly and discern throughout this life seeing with your eyes, doing with your hands, and going with your feet as you would have me go. I am your servant Lord. Let not my actions betray my words that I would be an evil witness, but rather protect and guard me in your knowledge and understanding that I would walk on the straight path as a proper witness for you. Use me as you will Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
You can find the passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%202:1-15&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
Study the Lord’s words and apply them to your life. Search hard and without end for understanding and listen to the Lord’s wisdom. Then you will have understanding from God. This wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men. You will receive Discretion which can protect you and understanding, which will guard you. He gives these things to his faithful ones (the upright whose walk is blameless).
As I reflect:
My summary doesn’t do this passage justice in any way. Be sure to read it yourselves too. I see so “ifs” and “thens” in here. Like “if” – you accept my words…store up my commands…turn ear to wisdom…apply heart to understanding…call out for insight…cry aloud for understanding….search for is as hidden treasure, “then” – you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. So that communicates to me a condition for an offer. I could re word it in the form of a deal. The Lord offers us understanding how to live reverently before him and walkin in His knowledge, if we will put forth the effort to read and apply his Word to our lives and if we will never give up the search for his wisdom and understandings. The passage goes on to explain that The Lord gives wisdom and that knowledge and understanding come from His mouth, and yet we have a world that is fixated on hell with the thought that they can obtain wisdom and understanding without God. They look at the Word of God; the Bible as a book of words without application and power and life. They cannot understand how these words can change and help to mold someone into an entirely new creation over time. The Lord has allowed their hearts to stay hardened to the message because they yearn not for the knowledge of God, but rather they spend their lives seeking the knowledge of man. I am reminded that we will reap what we sow. If then, we seek after the Lord, we should harvest wisdom and knowledge and understanding.
I fell in love with verse 11 right away. It states, “Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.” I have seen this, experienced it first hand so often in life. There are so many times that there is simply not a map or guide to doing something the right or wrong way in life because it hasn’t yet been written down for that exact situation. But in remembering the many stories in the history of the Bible, I can always find someone who went through something similar and based on their experiences or their responses to God, I can best discern how to handle my situation also. I thank the Lord so much for the ability to discern. Though I may not always be right, discerning has certainly helped myself and many others and has been a most powerful tool when used correctly. The verse says this tool will protect you and along with understanding it will guard you. I couldn’t agree more. And so it is with wisdom. If we will but seek to receive and use the wisdom the Lord gives, we can avoid becoming captive to the evil ways of wicked people, and we can stay on straight paths and delight in doing right. How helpful would it be if I tried to lead you away from stealing while I stole? Or, what if I got high while explaining to you how you could loose the bindings of that addiction in your own life? I must first seek after wisdom myself, then use it to discern and stay off the dark and crooked paths, then I may reach to pull another from those ways. This passage speaks so very much information to the value of these tools and as plain as day says the source of them is in the Lord alone.
BTW: In the message version of the Bible, verse 9-15 read almost as poetry. It was really nice to compare that to the NIV.
My response to the Lord:
Dear God, your beauty is beyond the words I know of to define it. You constantly exceed in generosity beyond what I have ever asked. I thank you Lord for the tools and characteristics that you and you alone have provided me with. I thank you for your Word, the sword of the Spirit and your Son in Whom I have salvation. May I use these blessed tools properly to do your will Father. May I keep your words of wisdom on my heart constantly and discern throughout this life seeing with your eyes, doing with your hands, and going with your feet as you would have me go. I am your servant Lord. Let not my actions betray my words that I would be an evil witness, but rather protect and guard me in your knowledge and understanding that I would walk on the straight path as a proper witness for you. Use me as you will Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
week of 10-06-10 2nd recorded Bible study
The passage I read was Daniel 2:1-24
You can find the passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%202:1-24&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
A king has a dream that troubles him and he calls for astrologers, magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, fortune tellers and the like to come and interpret the dream. But the king isn’t a total and complete fool. He knows how the system works. All the people that came to interpret his dream are most likely just there for a reward and they will listen to the dream and then give a wordy interpretation that will either confuse the king or sound good enough to believe/buy. So the king keeps telling them he’s gunna kill em if they can’t interpret the dream and they keep saying, “well tell us”, right? So the king calls them out and says they have to tell him the dream before he will let them interpret it. Well of course none of them know the dream and they say what he asks is impossible. He gets mad and puts out the order to kill all the supposed wise men of the town right. But when word of the guy in charge of killing gets to Daniel, he’s all like, “wait a minute. What’s goin on?” right? So the guy tells him why he has to kill all the wise men. Danny boy says hold up and he goes to talk to the king. He ask for time as too ponder on this untold dream. He goes back home and tells his wise friends to pray and that same night the Lord revealed the dream and it’s meaning to Daniel. So Daniel praised God for giving him the dream and revealing the mystery about it and the next day he went and said to call off the execution because he could interpret the dream.
As I reflect:
Here we see again the foolishness of those who think they can have wisdom without God… They err even unto the point of death too often to gain worldly wealth. And the opposing view: the man of God who seeks first the Lord, knowing that all things follow this. He wisely shares the information of a struggle with his friends (an accountability circle of fellowship if you will). They are also devoted to the same God and thus they without hesitation do what he has asked of them and they spend time on their knees to help a friend. Only during his time with God, was Daniel given the answer he sought. So it is with us also. Too often we go to the wrong sources to seek the answers to our problems. God should be the first person we turn to, not the last. Upon coming to the Lord in faith and humbly asking Him for the answers (be it that you ask of proper motivation that is) you can receive the understanding and wisdom that He has for you. Go to the source and trust in God to move mountains in your life.
My response to the Lord:
Holy Father who is great and greatly to be praised, May I never seek wisdom and understanding without coming to you. You are worthy of praise and worship for you alone know the answers to all of life’s mysteries. You alone know what tomorrow brings. You are all knowing and all powerful, here in the beginning and the end. I will never find a higher power than you. May I remember all of my days to seek first your kingdom and to come to you first in all matters. Thank you Father for saving me. Thank you for your mercy that is new every day. May I never be deceived by those that claim to be wise and yet know not my Savior, the giver of life. To you all glory. In Jesus Name.
You can find the passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%202:1-24&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
A king has a dream that troubles him and he calls for astrologers, magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, fortune tellers and the like to come and interpret the dream. But the king isn’t a total and complete fool. He knows how the system works. All the people that came to interpret his dream are most likely just there for a reward and they will listen to the dream and then give a wordy interpretation that will either confuse the king or sound good enough to believe/buy. So the king keeps telling them he’s gunna kill em if they can’t interpret the dream and they keep saying, “well tell us”, right? So the king calls them out and says they have to tell him the dream before he will let them interpret it. Well of course none of them know the dream and they say what he asks is impossible. He gets mad and puts out the order to kill all the supposed wise men of the town right. But when word of the guy in charge of killing gets to Daniel, he’s all like, “wait a minute. What’s goin on?” right? So the guy tells him why he has to kill all the wise men. Danny boy says hold up and he goes to talk to the king. He ask for time as too ponder on this untold dream. He goes back home and tells his wise friends to pray and that same night the Lord revealed the dream and it’s meaning to Daniel. So Daniel praised God for giving him the dream and revealing the mystery about it and the next day he went and said to call off the execution because he could interpret the dream.
As I reflect:
Here we see again the foolishness of those who think they can have wisdom without God… They err even unto the point of death too often to gain worldly wealth. And the opposing view: the man of God who seeks first the Lord, knowing that all things follow this. He wisely shares the information of a struggle with his friends (an accountability circle of fellowship if you will). They are also devoted to the same God and thus they without hesitation do what he has asked of them and they spend time on their knees to help a friend. Only during his time with God, was Daniel given the answer he sought. So it is with us also. Too often we go to the wrong sources to seek the answers to our problems. God should be the first person we turn to, not the last. Upon coming to the Lord in faith and humbly asking Him for the answers (be it that you ask of proper motivation that is) you can receive the understanding and wisdom that He has for you. Go to the source and trust in God to move mountains in your life.
My response to the Lord:
Holy Father who is great and greatly to be praised, May I never seek wisdom and understanding without coming to you. You are worthy of praise and worship for you alone know the answers to all of life’s mysteries. You alone know what tomorrow brings. You are all knowing and all powerful, here in the beginning and the end. I will never find a higher power than you. May I remember all of my days to seek first your kingdom and to come to you first in all matters. Thank you Father for saving me. Thank you for your mercy that is new every day. May I never be deceived by those that claim to be wise and yet know not my Savior, the giver of life. To you all glory. In Jesus Name.
week of 10-06-10 first recorded Bible study
The passage I read was Job 28:12-28
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+28%3A12-28&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
You cannot find wisdom. It cannot be bought. It is worth more than silver & gold, and any other precious stones. It can’t be seen with the eye. Only God knows the way to wisdom and He tells us it is through respecting Him and turning from sin. He says it is through a reverent fear of the Lord that we can get wisdom, and that if we shun (turn away from) evil we can have understanding.
As I reflect:
There is no wise man that doesn’t fear the Lord (though many unsaved have thought that they showed wisdom in that they have accrued great physical wealth). I say they have sold their soul and showed a great lack of wisdom as well as a lack of understanding in searching out the earth to gain what can only be gotten in the Lord. It is the humble, the servants that kneel at the feet of the King of Glory which can understand and gain wisdom. True wisdom comes only from the Lord… Where else could one go? Turn away from sin and turn to the giver of all good things.
My response to the Lord:
“Oh Most Holy Father, I am unworthy to approach your throne. Humbly I bow before your majesty and thank your Holy Spirit for delivering my voice to you and your message to me. I cannot repay the debt that your Son took from me on the cross. But Lord, I ask that you would through your Holy Spirit please use my life for your glory to further your kingdom. Apart from you, I know nothing… I am nothing without you. Father work in me and through me that you would be glorified. In Jesus name. “
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+28%3A12-28&version=NIV
My summary of the passage is this:
You cannot find wisdom. It cannot be bought. It is worth more than silver & gold, and any other precious stones. It can’t be seen with the eye. Only God knows the way to wisdom and He tells us it is through respecting Him and turning from sin. He says it is through a reverent fear of the Lord that we can get wisdom, and that if we shun (turn away from) evil we can have understanding.
As I reflect:
There is no wise man that doesn’t fear the Lord (though many unsaved have thought that they showed wisdom in that they have accrued great physical wealth). I say they have sold their soul and showed a great lack of wisdom as well as a lack of understanding in searching out the earth to gain what can only be gotten in the Lord. It is the humble, the servants that kneel at the feet of the King of Glory which can understand and gain wisdom. True wisdom comes only from the Lord… Where else could one go? Turn away from sin and turn to the giver of all good things.
My response to the Lord:
“Oh Most Holy Father, I am unworthy to approach your throne. Humbly I bow before your majesty and thank your Holy Spirit for delivering my voice to you and your message to me. I cannot repay the debt that your Son took from me on the cross. But Lord, I ask that you would through your Holy Spirit please use my life for your glory to further your kingdom. Apart from you, I know nothing… I am nothing without you. Father work in me and through me that you would be glorified. In Jesus name. “
Bible studies with the kiddo
So my oldest son (now 9) and I often do Bible studies away from the rest of the family. A couple weeks ago, I started actually recording my Bible studies in a notebook and then sharing online. Just a few studies ago, it occured to me that my son could also answer these questions and I ought to share his responsed to encourage others to do the same alone or with a family member of theirs. I will begin loading those studies to this blog as I can.
Please feel free to take the format of our studies and remove our answers to do the study yourself. We'd love to know what your answers were too if you'd like to share.
Please feel free to take the format of our studies and remove our answers to do the study yourself. We'd love to know what your answers were too if you'd like to share.
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