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Post by Cindy on Mar 10, 2016 13:26:22 GMT -5
Glad to hear it!
Today I studied Luke 19:28–44. It made me consider how I generally see those who are living in sin, especially those who are being blatant about it. When Jesus looked at the thousands of people who were cheering for Him, He knew their true hearts and that their cheers were superficial. He knew much better then any of us ever could, just how tightly sin held them in it's grip. Yet He didn't start yelling at them. Nor did He get angry or even look at them with contempt, which is often what I do, at least inwardly. Jesus didn't do any thing remotely like that. Judas was even right there with Him too, and He knew that Judas would soon betray Him and that the other disciples would all leave Him; He could look out in the crowd and pick out the pharisees that would stage a trial and bribe people to lie about Him,He could see the soldiers who would torture Him, but still He didn't look at them with contempt. Instead, He wept over them! God, the creator of the universe, the One who created each human being alive then and now, looked out on the vast crowd and wept. He didn't cry silently, but literally wailed loudly, like one would do in those days when weeping over the dead. I guess, in a way, that's what He was really doing, for He knew that although they were welcoming Him now, they would soon totally reject Him as Messiah and that would seal their fate. In His grief, He told them quite graphically what their fate would be, and it obviously broke His heart. That great heart of love, that would soon die for us all, that we might live. It breaks my heart to think of it.
Let's reflect though on how He reacted to those people, the people we'd likely look on with contempt if not outright anger, just as we do when we see others who are living in sin. If Jesus reacted to these people with such amazing love that He would grieve over their refusal to know Him, and come into the Light, shouldn't that be how we view people too? It seems like every time I turn around, every page I read in the Bible, I'm yet again confronted with God's amazing love for us and His command that we love others the same way He does. When I read what Jesus said as He wept, I can imagine that it was hard for Him to even get the words out. But if I read it and think about how I would feel, I can see myself saying something like that in a very angry voice, even vindictive... like, "you didn't accept me, so now you're really going to get it!" But that's not how our Lord said this. He said it in a broken voice, weeping, because He so longed to comfort them and give them a life full of His blessings . He was broken hearted because they wouldn't accept His gift. I'm not suggesting that God doesn't get angry over sin, we know He does. We know He hates sin. He hates it because of what it does to us. And one day, there will be a final accounting, and on that day, those who reject Him will be punished, just as the people in Israel were 40 years after Jesus spoke these words. As surely as that happened, so will the final judgement. That doesn't change the fact though, that Jesus expressed these words in love. He quite literally, spoke the truth in love and with love, and who knows, maybe someone in the crowd heard Him and their eyes were opened because of it. I sincerely hope so. His love for us is simply amazing...there's no words to really express it, and every page in the bible confirms it, just as His life was a picture of His love for us. Certainly something to reflect on, don't you think?
“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”” (Luke 19:41–44)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
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Post by fearnot on Mar 10, 2016 15:22:34 GMT -5
I get angry in part out of frustration that I cannot make them see, and make them be saved.
But in a way, I am even more angry at myself and my own sins. Yet reading what you wrote about Jesus, I can see that (at least some of the time), Jesus is not so much angry at me and my sins, rather He is broken-hearted.
Thank you for your words.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 10, 2016 23:03:22 GMT -5
Today, Thursday March 10th
I read Obadiah
the Lord was against Edom ( Esau)
First listed was pride (Satan was proud),
then, is a list of 'things' Edom was putting confidence in beside God....things like hidden treasure, friends etc.
And lack of love and cruelty to Judah.
I am not exactly sure when some of the things Edom did to Judah happened, but in any case, God promises to deliver Judah ultimately.
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Post by Cindy on Mar 11, 2016 12:47:41 GMT -5
I get angry in part out of frustration that I cannot make them see, and make them be saved.
But in a way, I am even more angry at myself and my own sins. Yet reading what you wrote about Jesus, I can see that (at least some of the time), Jesus is not so much angry at me and my sins, rather He is broken-hearted.
Thank you for your words.
But when someone who is saved knowingly sins, we're not only sinning against the God who created us, we're sinning against the Father we know loves us and the Son who loves us so much that He gave His life for us. We sin against Love, which to me is far worse then what the unsaved do.
Notice I said, "knowingly" sins. The Lord knows that we will constantly sin without realizing it. Just as any little child constantly makes mistakes and does things wrong because they don't know how to do them the right way yet.
When one of our little ones makes a mess because they're trying to help, or spills their milk because they're not paying attention to what they're doing, we understand that they weren't trying to sin against us, or be "bad". They simply hadn't learned better yet. We know that learning how to live, takes time, practice and patience. Yes, as humans with a sin nature, we may get frustrated with them at times over it, but thankfully our Father doesn't have a sin nature and doesn't get frustrated with us when we make messes when we're trying to help.
Just as our little ones were sure they were "all grown up" when they were all of 2 years old, and could "do it themselves", so we tend to do the same thing to our Heavenly Father. Just like a two year old, we insist we're "all grown up", we can "do it our self" and we want to "do it our way". Of course, since we're supposedly adults in this physical world, and really only little children in the spiritual world, we often make messes and wrong choices. We sin. We often sin not realizing it, and the more we grow in our faith, the more we realize this, and the more the Lord shows us what those sins are so we can work on them. As we grow, we sin less and less knowingly, until finally we would rather die then sin knowingly, so then all our sins are the unknown ones, or ones we're still learning about. (like the little one who knocks over his milk even though he's been told to pay attention before)
I understand wanting to "make others see" and "make them be saved", I think everyone who's saved knows that desire. It's not wrong to want them to be saved, but when they haven't been saved yet and we begin to get frustrated, we once again wind up in our sin nature and start thinking about how we can manipulate people, or situations in order to get them saved, because obviously, God isn't doing His job. O, we don't think that last part, but that's really what we mean, that's what we're really saying. We're saying that we want them saved this instant, or better yet, yesterday and God should of course agree with us and do something about it right now. When He doesn't, we feel we've either done something wrong, or haven't done enough, or have to do it our self. See, the focus has gone from God back to self. That's what the sin nature does. God has His reasons why they haven't been saved yet and He WILL save them, but He will do it in His time, not ours. His time is the perfect time for them. He is a good and loving God to all He has created, and He wants them to be saved. But He knows their hearts, their past, present and future, and knows best what they need in order to be saved and be the person He created them to be. He doesn't need anyone to help Him. He needs no one to preach the Gospel to them, or to tell them the good news. He can do it all by Himself, whether it's through dreams, vision or whatever. He chooses to allow us to participate so that He can reward us and so He can prepare us for our future in His Kingdom, but He doesn't "need" us. He does that for us, not because it's needed. We can't stop someone He has elected for salvation from being saved anymore then we can stop the sun from shining. Nor can we make someone be saved before the time He has set for them. I firmly believe that those of us who are saved, and who have loved ones who aren't saved, who we pray for their salvation constantly, WILL be saved before they die, and when it's the perfect time for them to be saved. I believe that because God has said that He will give us the desires of our heart. He knows that those who truly love Him will want their loved ones to also love Him. He gave us that desire and He will therefore grant it, because He is a good and loving Father. Everything the bible teaches us about Him, says that is true.
So when we start to focus on self, wanting to make something happen and happen now, we need to take the thoughts captive and replace them with the Truth, that God will do what He has said He will do, in His time, and we can trust Him. He loves us and He loves them too. When we do that, it always leads us right to pray yet again for their salvation, which is exactly what the Lord wants us to do. I hope that helps some....
Today, Thursday March 10th
I read Obadiah
the Lord was against Edom ( Esau)
First listed was pride (Satan was proud),
then, is a list of 'things' Edom was putting confidence in beside God....things like hidden treasure, friends etc.
And lack of love and cruelty to Judah.
I am not exactly sure when some of the things Edom did to Judah happened, but in any case, God promises to deliver Judah ultimately.
““The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.” (Obadiah 15)
Obadiah’s blessing includes the near fulfillment of Edom’s demise (Obadiah 1–15) under the assault of the Philistines and Arabians (2 Chr. 21:8–20) and the far fulfillment of the nation’s judgment in the first century a.d. and Israel’s final possession of Edom (Obadiah 15–21). The MacArthur Bible handbook
God’s near judgment of Edom in history (Obadiah 1–14) was a preview of His far judgment on all nations (Obadiah 15, 16) who refuse to bow to His sovereignty. The MacArthur study Bible
Today I studied Luke 19:45–48 Jesus at the Temple. |
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 11, 2016 13:07:02 GMT -5
I am soooooo happy and relieved at what you wrote ( all of it of course but even this part was so reassuring:
"....we feel we've either done something wrong, or haven't done enough, or have to do it our self.
See, the focus has gone from God back to self.
That's what the sin nature does.
God has His reasons why they haven't been saved yet and He WILL save them, but He will do it in His time, not ours.
His time is the perfect time for them.
He is a good and loving God to all He has created, and He wants them to be saved. But He knows their hearts, their past, present and future, and knows best what they need in order to be saved and be the person He created them to be. He doesn't need anyone to help Him.
He needs no one to preach the Gospel to them, or to tell them the good news. He can do it all by Himself, whether it's through dreams, vision or whatever."
Everything you said was so comforting!
I was also put to peace reading this:
"I firmly believe that those of us who are saved, and who have loved ones who aren't saved, who we pray for their salvation constantly, WILL be saved before they die, and when it's the perfect time for them to be saved.
I believe that because God has said that He will give us the desires of our heart. He knows that those who truly love Him will want their loved ones to also love Him. He gave us that desire and He will therefore grant it, because He is a good and loving Father. "
Again, thank you soooo much! :)
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Post by evafromgreece on Mar 11, 2016 17:38:54 GMT -5
Hey guys!
I am not home. I am in Thessaloniki and I have limited internet access.
I will write as soon as possible to discuss with you what I have been studying
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 11, 2016 22:38:54 GMT -5
Hi Eva thanks for letting us know what happening with you.
Today, Friday, March 11
I read Esther ch. 1
It seems Xerxes who ruled 127 provinces had invited anybody who was anybody ( princes, military leaders etc.) for 180 days ( 6mts!!)
Then he gave a banquet for 7 days ( this guy did everything in a big way!!)
there were couches in gold and drinking goblets in gold (each one different from all the others) etc etc.
Then when it seems he was totally drunk he asks for his wife Vashti to come with her crown on so all the men can 'observe' her beauty.
She refuses and he bands her from every seeing the king ever again.
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Post by Cindy on Mar 12, 2016 11:34:10 GMT -5
I am soooooo happy and relieved at what you wrote ( all of it of course but even this part was so reassuring:
"....we feel we've either done something wrong, or haven't done enough, or have to do it our self.
See, the focus has gone from God back to self.
That's what the sin nature does.
God has His reasons why they haven't been saved yet and He WILL save them, but He will do it in His time, not ours.
His time is the perfect time for them.
He is a good and loving God to all He has created, and He wants them to be saved. But He knows their hearts, their past, present and future, and knows best what they need in order to be saved and be the person He created them to be. He doesn't need anyone to help Him.
He needs no one to preach the Gospel to them, or to tell them the good news. He can do it all by Himself, whether it's through dreams, vision or whatever."
Everything you said was so comforting!
I was also put to peace reading this:
"I firmly believe that those of us who are saved, and who have loved ones who aren't saved, who we pray for their salvation constantly, WILL be saved before they die, and when it's the perfect time for them to be saved.
I believe that because God has said that He will give us the desires of our heart. He knows that those who truly love Him will want their loved ones to also love Him. He gave us that desire and He will therefore grant it, because He is a good and loving Father. "
Again, thank you soooo much! :)
Hey guys! I am not home. I am in Thessaloniki and I have limited internet access. I will write as soon as possible to discuss with you what I have been studying Hi Eva thanks for letting us know what happening with you.
Today, Friday, March 11
I read Esther ch. 1
It seems Xerxes who ruled 127 provinces had invited anybody who was anybody ( princes, military leaders etc.) for 180 days ( 6mts!!)
Then he gave a banquet for 7 days ( this guy did everything in a big way!!)
there were couches in gold and drinking goblets in gold (each one different from all the others) etc etc.
Then when it seems he was totally drunk he asks for his wife Vashti to come with her crown on so all the men can 'observe' her beauty.
She refuses and he bands her from every seeing the king ever again.
Chronologically, the events of Esther fit between chapters 6 & 7 of Ezra, after the 1st exiles returned under Zerubbabel & before the 2nd group returned with Ezra. Designed for devotion
Esther could be compared to a chess game. God and Satan (as invisible players) moved real kings, queens, and nobles. When Satan put Haman into place, it was as if he announced, “Check.” God then positioned Esther and Mordecai in order to put Satan into “Checkmate!”
Meanwhile, in other parts of the world…The Chinese complete the construction of the first wall to prevent the Hun people from entering China (356 b.c.). The MacArthur Bible handbook
The book is anonymous, but according to Jewish tradition the author was Mordecai. Holman QuickSource guide
Today I studied Luke 20:1–19 The Authority of Jesus Questioned and The Parable of the Tenants. I'm still chewing on all I got out of this one too! God is so amazing! We see God's great mercy and His justice; we see again how instead of reacting in anger, He showed the pharisees the Truth and we can see that they even realized what He was saying when they reacted to the parable with "God forbid". Hopefully at least one of them was saved because of His teaching. It shows us too how awful sin is and how it acts like a snowball rolling down a hill, getting bigger and worse with every roll until it's out of control. He also shows us again how deceitful our hearts are and that they can't be trusted. It's easy to look down on the pharisees, and yet we're doing the very same thing they did. (by "we" I mean "the church") They (the pharisees) let pride and self interest take over their thoughts and forgot that they were supposed to be telling the world about God. They forgot that while God had saved them and made them a nation and cared for them, that He'd done so with a purpose in mind for them. He'd accepted them as they were, but expected, no, He commanded them to grow and to tell all who came to them about Him. They were to be a nation of priests, His ambassadors, but they failed even in the midst of all their religious activity because of self interest - their sin nature. Just like the church has and is doing too. this parable is actually a prophecy and tells them what will happen to them for rejecting Him and not fulfilling their obligation to God. It happened in 70 ad, or I should say, it began happening then and is still happening now and will continue until the nation accepts Him at the end of the Tribulation. It makes me wonder though, what will become of us. We know that judgment begins with the family of God (1 Peter 4:17). Actually, the Lord has told us what will happen, and we're living it now. A time of trials and hardship has come to the earth. Nothing anywhere near as bad as what will come after the rapture, thank God! But hard none the less. God is calling us back to Him, telling us to be alert, to pray, to stand firm and do all we can now to make our calling and election sure so we'll receive a rich welcome into Heaven. (2 Peter 1:10-11; Philippians 2:12) It's our time to shine, if we'll obey, even if it's just in our own little homes.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 12, 2016 15:26:51 GMT -5
It's not just me or my imagination? Things are getting harder and harder and more crazy etc.?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 12, 2016 22:57:09 GMT -5
Today Sat. March 12
I read Esther ch.2
On a purely 'worldly' level I found the 'beauty treatments' prescribed for the woman, interesting.
For there one chance to win Xerxes heart, they spent ONE YEAR of beauty treatments!
Apparently oil of myrrh must have been consider the gold standard to getting beautiful because a full 6 mts was devoted to it!
The next 6 mts had to do with perfumes and cosmetics.
The woman could choose whatever for her visit, but Esther left the choice of what she would bring up to the eunuch in charge of the harem....which showed an inner nature of beauty as well.
Also I saw where Modecai's good deed was forgotten ( sort of like Joseph's ...well until God's perfect timing).
Two things to apply to my life...Esther's humble inner beauty and realizing that although God may not reward a 'good' deed immediately, He may choose to do so at a later time.....tho of course, it is not to be a reason for me to do any 'good' deed ( looking for a reward either now or in the future. I think the Lord said somewhere, it is only what we should do period!!)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 14, 2016 0:20:41 GMT -5
Today, Sunday march 13th
I read Esther ch. 3
Haman gets promoted above all the other nobles and his pride increases to the point that not only does he want Mordecai killed ( because Mordecai refused to kneel down and honor him....Mordecai would only so honor God), Haman wants every single Jew killed.
I realized it could have been possible for Mordecai to have felt badly that he caused to eminent death of all his fellow Jews.
However, this is a good reminder to Christians that even when complete disaster seems final and there is no way out......God's power is infinite and no scheme of Satan is beyond God's ability to overthrow the devil and his schemes.
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Post by Cindy on Mar 14, 2016 11:13:53 GMT -5
It's not just me or my imagination? Things are getting harder and harder and more crazy etc.? Today Sat. March 12
I read Esther ch.2
On a purely 'worldly' level I found the 'beauty treatments' prescribed for the woman, interesting.
For there one chance to win Xerxes heart, they spent ONE YEAR of beauty treatments!
Apparently oil of myrrh must have been consider the gold standard to getting beautiful because a full 6 mts was devoted to it!
The next 6 mts had to do with perfumes and cosmetics.
The woman could choose whatever for her visit, but Esther left the choice of what she would bring up to the eunuch in charge of the harem....which showed an inner nature of beauty as well.
Also I saw where Modecai's good deed was forgotten ( sort of like Joseph's ...well until God's perfect timing).
Two things to apply to my life...Esther's humble inner beauty and realizing that although God may not reward a 'good' deed immediately, He may choose to do so at a later time.....tho of course, it is not to be a reason for me to do any 'good' deed ( looking for a reward either now or in the future. I think the Lord said somewhere, it is only what we should do period!!)
Today, Sunday march 13th
I read Esther ch. 3
Haman gets promoted above all the other nobles and his pride increases to the point that not only does he want Mordecai killed ( because Mordecai refused to kneel down and honor him....Mordecai would only so honor God), Haman wants every single Jew killed.
I realized it could have been possible for Mordecai to have felt badly that he caused to eminent death of all his fellow Jews.
However, this is a good reminder to Christians that even when complete disaster seems final and there is no way out......God's power is infinite and no scheme of Satan is beyond God's ability to overthrow the devil and his schemes.
Amen! God is all powerful! Another thing we could consider too is that Mordecai could have decided to just sit back and wait to see what God would do instead of doing what he could. He could have said, "well, this is God's fight, not mine" instead, and if so, perhaps all the Jew's would have been killed. Instead, he realized that when God reveals something to us, He does so because He wants us to do something about it; not for us to run and tell someone else how terrible it is that the problem exists, but instead to actually do something relying in His strength to fix it. While his plan may have sounded outrageous, he knew that God had given him the idea because God had placed everyone and everything in the exact places needed for it to work.
Today I studied Luke 20:27–40 The Resurrection and Marriage. Again we're shown how important studying scripture is, and that literally every word is inspired and perfect, right down to the tense of the word. He also shows yet again that scripture gives us everything we need to live this life perfectly for Him. We're shown too how we can become egotistical when we count on our own ability to understand it instead of the Holy Spirit or our Lord's guidance. For us this also points out the importance of the OT as well as the new, and our need to know both well. We're also again shown how to deal with adversaries: calmly, respectfully, speaking the truth with love. Finally, He gives us a wonderful picture of what our eternal life will be like. Awesome!
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Post by evafromgreece on Mar 14, 2016 13:03:25 GMT -5
Hey guys. I managed to have some days off work and came to see my old neighborhood. At least I am trying because its poring rain here.
I don't have a computer or a standard connection . I just wanted to let you know I am here.
I want to try to go to the church. The old woman I knew from that time asked me if we can go again there like in November because she liked the hymns. But I am not sure about this place after the disappointing experience we had there last time
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 15, 2016 0:58:58 GMT -5
Today, Monday march 14th
I read Esther ch. 4
V. 14 stood out
".......And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
I am thinking that is true for all of us. It may not be as big a reason as Queen Esther ( saving all her people), but even if the Lord works through us, to plant a seed in one person....if we do it or if we let it pass by, perhaps it would have consequences beyond what we might think.
And then in v. 16 Esther says some words that are pretty amazing:
".......And if I perish, I perish"
That's the kind of courage, I always wished I had.
Hi again Eva!
And thank you Cindy as always!!
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Post by Cindy on Mar 15, 2016 11:39:31 GMT -5
Hey guys. I managed to have some days off work and came to see my old neighborhood. At least I am trying because its poring rain here. I don't have a computer or a standard connection . I just wanted to let you know I am here. I want to try to go to the church. The old woman I knew from that time asked me if we can go again there like in November because she liked the hymns. But I am not sure about this place after the disappointing experience we had there last time Today, Monday march 14th
I read Esther ch. 4
V. 14 stood out
".......And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
I am thinking that is true for all of us. It may not be as big a reason as Queen Esther ( saving all her people), but even if the Lord works through us, to plant a seed in one person....if we do it or if we let it pass by, perhaps it would have consequences beyond what we might think.
And then in v. 16 Esther says some words that are pretty amazing:
".......And if I perish, I perish"
That's the kind of courage, I always wished I had.
Hi again Eva!
And thank you Cindy as always!!
Today I studied Luke 20:41–47 Whose Son Is the Christ? and Luke 21:1–4 The Widow’s Offering. These are really interesting to me. The first one shows us how people who are just reading His Word for the sake of saying they know it, and who don't love the Lord, don't understand what they read no matter how hard they study. They think they do, but just as obviously don't. The second one, shows what loving the Lord looks like in real life, being willing to worship God by giving up everything she had to live on because she knew that her God would take care of her. Again, I want to be just like her! I wrote about the widow's offering here:
fresh-hope.com/thread/2047/widow-offering
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 15, 2016 16:12:15 GMT -5
That was so helpful! I have always thought it was courage, but of course, now I see it was faith ( in part was the fasting for 3 days a part of the faith?)
In any case, I wish to have such faith!
I have to be careful that I don't study God's word just to be a puffed up show off, but rather because I love Jesus and wish to know more of Him and be able to apply His words to my life and slowly on become more pleasing and able to serve Him.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 15, 2016 20:16:22 GMT -5
Today, Tuesday march 15th
I read Esther ch.5 & 6
Queen Esther prepares 2 dinners ( on different days).
I read one commentary saying it stirred interest in the King, and another said , she was looking for the right opportunity to present her case.
In any case it seems Haman was in such shock and humiliation having to honor Mordecai, he was quite during the 2nd dinner and could not misrepresent behind her back the situation.
It was interesting how a small incident like the king not being able to sleep, was the very vehicle (used by God) to start turning the calamity around.
Haman ended up being hung on the very gallows he had built to hang Mordecai on...who could have predicted such an outcome!
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Post by Cindy on Mar 16, 2016 12:21:41 GMT -5
That was so helpful! I have always thought it was courage, but of course, now I see it was faith ( in part was the fasting for 3 days a part of the faith?)
In any case, I wish to have such faith!
I have to be careful that I don't study God's word just to be a puffed up show off, but rather because I love Jesus and wish to know more of Him and be able to apply His words to my life and slowly on become more pleasing and able to serve Him.
I can't imagine you ever getting puffed up Barbara, but it's true that we do need to watch ourselves for that as the Lord says to. It gets harder and harder when other people start looking at you as if you're somehow better then they are....then you really have to watch out that pride doesn't get a grip on you.
Today, Tuesday march 15th
I read Esther ch.5 & 6
Queen Esther prepares 2 dinners ( on different days).
I read one commentary saying it stirred interest in the King, and another said , she was looking for the right opportunity to present her case.
In any case it seems Haman was in such shock and humiliation having to honor Mordecai, he was quite during the 2nd dinner and could not misrepresent behind her back the situation.
It was interesting how a small incident like the king not being able to sleep, was the very vehicle (used by God) to start turning the calamity around.
Haman ended up being hung on the very gallows he had built to hang Mordecai on...who could have predicted such an outcome!
I'm working on Luke 21:5–38, Signs of the End of the Age. It's going to take me awhile to get through this!
I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I've been posting devotionals from a new book that's very good, and thought you might enjoy some of them whenever you have some time. They're in the devotional forum.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 16, 2016 14:48:15 GMT -5
I have read this and that on fasting, and maybe even what you said....but you have a way that speaks to my heart and open up certain parts of scripture.
To be sure the Holy spirit does a great deal, but I wonder if God doesn't allow a person to be able to do so because.....well I guess for a lot of reasons.
Anyway, when you said fasting is also said to be an effective means of dealing with temptation ( and I am thinking perhaps a sin itself)....for the first time, I thought of it as applying to me.
And additionally as a way to have more time for communication with the Lord in prayer.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 16, 2016 23:53:21 GMT -5
Today, Wednesday March 16th
I read Esther ch.7, 8, & 9
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Post by Cindy on Mar 17, 2016 10:51:04 GMT -5
I have read this and that on fasting, and maybe even what you said....but you have a way that speaks to my heart and open up certain parts of scripture.
To be sure the Holy spirit does a great deal, but I wonder if God doesn't allow a person to be able to do so because.....well I guess for a lot of reasons.
Anyway, when you said fasting is also said to be an effective means of dealing with temptation ( and I am thinking perhaps a sin itself)....for the first time, I thought of it as applying to me.
And additionally as a way to have more time for communication with the Lord in prayer.
Today, Wednesday March 16th
I read Esther ch.7, 8, & 9
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 17, 2016 22:30:54 GMT -5
Sorry, I wrote that in a confusing way. What I meant was the Holy spirit helps us understand scripture.
But I was thinking that maybe God allows a pastor, an author, a friend etc. to also help explain scripture to another person ( the Holy Spirit being the only one who will give a person 100 % truth).
some of the reason I was thinking might be in explaining a verse or passage, the person explaining it, may learn even more deeply because they have to think how to make it clear.
Perhaps because a person has gone thru a similar trial they have a good insight as to how to apply scripture to help the person struggling and give God the glory....also they may have compassion as well as understanding the temptation etc.
And so on....
Is that any clearer of am I still confusing?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 17, 2016 22:48:35 GMT -5
Today, Thur. March 17th
I read: Malachi 1
The people of that day ( not unlike our day) were immersed in sin but yet don't see that as the cause of their problems instead they blame God ( wallowing in self-pity) saying to God:
"How have you loved us?"
God answers
So many people today major in self-pity ( I am famous for that!!), pride, self-righteousness, and self-centeredness ( the 'me' generation).
Instead of being in awe and grateful of God's kindness ( just to let us live, never mind all the many blessing we all have...air to breath, beauty to behold etc. etc.)....we grumble and blame God for any trial ( which is a result of our sins).
Then the priests ask:
"How have we shown contempt for your name?"
There is also the much debated meaning of:
“Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated..."
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Post by Cindy on Mar 18, 2016 9:30:45 GMT -5
Sorry, I wrote that in a confusing way. What I meant was the Holy spirit helps us understand scripture.
But I was thinking that maybe God allows a pastor, an author, a friend etc. to also help explain scripture to another person ( the Holy Spirit being the only one who will give a person 100 % truth).
some of the reason I was thinking might be in explaining a verse or passage, the person explaining it, may learn even more deeply because they have to think how to make it clear.
Perhaps because a person has gone thru a similar trial they have a good insight as to how to apply scripture to help the person struggling and give God the glory....also they may have compassion as well as understanding the temptation etc.
And so on....
Is that any clearer of am I still confusing?
Today, Thur. March 17th
I read: Malachi 1
The people of that day ( not unlike our day) were immersed in sin but yet don't see that as the cause of their problems instead they blame God ( wallowing in self-pity) saying to God:
"How have you loved us?"
God answers
So many people today major in self-pity ( I am famous for that!!), pride, self-righteousness, and self-centeredness ( the 'me' generation).
Instead of being in awe and grateful of God's kindness ( just to let us live, never mind all the many blessing we all have...air to breath, beauty to behold etc. etc.)....we grumble and blame God for any trial ( which is a result of our sins).
Then the priests ask:
"How have we shown contempt for your name?"
There is also the much debated meaning of:
“Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated..."
While Genesis mentions no divine hatred toward Esau, Obadiah’s prophecy over 1,000 years later (see Ob 1–21) indicated that the Lord’s hatred was against Esau’s idolatrous descendants. In the same way, the Lord’s love for Jacob refers to his descendants who were His sovereignly elected people through whom the world’s Redeemer would come. Nor does the love/hate language signify a comparative love in which He loved Jacob more and Esau less. Rather, the context here speaks of love as “choosing for intimate fellowship” and hate as “not choosing for intimate fellowship” in the realm of redemption. See notes on Rom 9:6–13. The MacArthur study Bible
The Hebrew words for loved & hated refer not to God’s emotions but to His choice of one over the other for a covenant relationship (Gen. 29:31-35; Deut. 21:15, 17; Luke 14:26). To hate someone meant to reject him and to disavow any loving association with him (Ps. 139:21). Nor do these words by themselves indicate the eternal destinations of Jacob & Esau. The verbs refer to God’s acts in history toward both of the 2 nations which descended from the 2 brothers. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
The word “hate” in the Bible does not always carry the same sense of antipathy and disgust associated with the English expression; it can mean simply to favor someone else with special privilege or devotion. In that sense, the Lord’s “hatred” of Esau was only the other side of His loyalty to His covenant with Israel. Paul quoted Malachi 1:2–3 with that meaning in Rom 9:13 as an illustration of the Lord’s mercy and compassion on whomever He chooses to bestow them (Rom 9:15). Nevertheless, in the circumstances of the Jews’ return from exile, the hostility of the Edomites seems to have reached another level, provoking Malachi to call them “the people the Lord has cursed forever” (v. 4). The Apologetics Study Bible
Malachi may be alluding to Ezekiel’s prophecy describing Edom’s treachery over the years (Ezek. 35:1–15). One way that God showed His love for Jacob (Judah) was by protecting them from the hostility of the Edomites. The Lord hated Edom’s long-standing bitterness, & when they refused to repent of this sin, they fell under the judgment of God. Word in life It seems best to understand this expression not as a statement of feeling or attitude but as a legal term. In that day a father used this terminology in legally designating one son to inherit his possessions while decisively rejecting the claim of another. The rejected son really was loved & was given resources to make his own way. But the legally “loved” son inherited. The teacher’s commentary
Those helped me a lot, so hoping they'll help you as well.
I finished studying up to Luke 21:28 today and hope to finish the section tomorrow. But right now I have something else I want to write about real quick before I have to go.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 19, 2016 0:36:10 GMT -5
Today, Friday, March 18th
I read: Malachi ch.2
the questions continue:
v.13 "You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. 14 You ask, “Why?”
v.17 How have we wearied God"?
v.17 Where is the God of justice"?
I read in one commentary that we would not treat a business executive, the President, or king of a country with the casual carelessness that we offer God....giving Him the least important time of day for us, saving our best time for TV, reading, pleasure, and people...giving God the 'left over'(perhaps a short prayer with yawns as we tumble into bed)...failing to honor God's majesty.
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Post by Cindy on Mar 19, 2016 11:18:12 GMT -5
Today, Friday, March 18th
I read: Malachi ch.2
the questions continue:
v.13 "You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. 14 You ask, “Why?”
v.17 How have we wearied God"?
v.17 Where is the God of justice"?
I read in one commentary that we would not treat a business executive, the President, or king of a country with the casual carelessness that we offer God....giving Him the least important time of day for us, saving our best time for TV, reading, pleasure, and people...giving God the 'left over'(perhaps a short prayer with yawns as we tumble into bed)...failing to honor God's majesty.
I studied Luke 21:29–38 More Signs of the End of the Age... Jesus again warns us not to get caught up in this life, but to keep our focus on Him and His kingdom. If our focus is on this life, if we're making long range plans for ourselves, looking forward to them etc. then His coming will take us by surprise and we won't be ready. We'll be ashamed & He will be ashamed of us. It reminds me of the story of the rich fool that Jesus told, especially the way it ended in Luke 12:20–21. Jesus unequivocally says it "will happen", & that everyone will be affected, therefore we need to persevere and stay in prayer so that we'll be able to stand before Him unashamed. Jesus then showed us by His own life how to face these days. He spent His time teaching - caring for people's souls, instead of spending His time preparing Himself for the ordeal He was about to go through for us. As long as there was even one person to hear Him, He taught, & when they'd all left, He went away to pray and rest for the next day. He persevered, was in constant prayer, & put the needs of others (all of us) before Himself.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 19, 2016 22:42:03 GMT -5
Yes, I did read your post in reference to my previous post (is that confusing LOL). Thank you.
The one about Jacob I have loved, Esau I have hated.
I was really moved by your talking about how Jesus put everyone first and didn't get immersed in the things of this world.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 19, 2016 23:22:54 GMT -5
Today Sat. March 19
I read Malachi 3
The first verse is a prophecy about Jesus I believe.
In v. 7 God says:
"Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty."
What a beautiful promise
But the people ask in the end of verse 7:
‘How are we to return?’
Blinded by self-righteousness, they don't see why or what reason they have to return, its as if they are fine and have nothing to repent of.
Just like they don't understand how they are robbing God
v.8 ".....How are we robbing you?"
Then they ask:
v.13 ‘What have we said against you?’
They say:
v.14 ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty?
15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Mar 20, 2016 23:42:00 GMT -5
Today Sunday March 20
I read Malachi 4
v.2 is something I look forward to
"2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays".
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Post by Cindy on Mar 21, 2016 10:20:30 GMT -5
Yes, I did read your post in reference to my previous post (is that confusing LOL). Thank you.
The one about Jacob I have loved, Esau I have hated.
I was really moved by your talking about how Jesus put everyone first and didn't get immersed in the things of this world.Today Sat. March 19
I read Malachi 3
The first verse is a prophecy about Jesus I believe.
In v. 7 God says:
"Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty."
What a beautiful promise
But the people ask in the end of verse 7:
‘How are we to return?’
Blinded by self-righteousness, they don't see why or what reason they have to return, its as if they are fine and have nothing to repent of.
Just like they don't understand how they are robbing God
v.8 ".....How are we robbing you?"
Then they ask:
v.13 ‘What have we said against you?’
They say:
v.14 ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty?
15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”
Today Sunday March 20
I read Malachi 4
v.2 is something I look forward to
"2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays".
Yesterday I studied Luke 22:1–6 Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus, but didn't have time to post as I would have been late getting to church; and today I studied Luke 22:7–13 Preparation for The Last Supper. Luke 22:13 really stood out to me, reminding me yet again that we can trust Him. |
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