Mark 12:1–44

August 16, 2012

From the Life Lesson:

"... Love for Christ is a deliberate setting of the will to carry out His commands at any cost. It is the fixed attitude of the heart that decides to do his will at all times. It is the desire and delight of accomplishing our Father's purposes, no matter how challenging.." ~ From Lessons From a Sheep Dog by Phillip Keller

"Having pressed the grapes of service, we drink life's sweetest wine—the wine of giving. We are at our best when we are giving. In fact, we are most like God when we are giving." ~ From He Chose Nails by Max Lucado

Contrast those statements with the words and actions of the Pharisees and Sadducees—religious unbelievers. They each sought trickery instead of surrender, trying to trap Jesus for their own gain. They didn't seek to learn from Jesus. They were only interested in furthering their own agendas. They hid (or so they thought) their agendas through deceit, flattery, and the appearance of going to Him for answers. But it was for appearances only, and God knew it.

When one of the teachers came to Jesus with honest questions (verse 28) Jesus responded with truth. What is the most important commandment? He said, "Listen people... The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. (Quote from Deuteronomy 6:4–5 and the essence of Commandments #1 – #4.) The second command is this: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' (Quote from Leviticus 19:18 and the essence of Commandments #5 – #10.) There are no commands more important than these."

Jesus' response to the Pharisees questions was: "Why are you trying to trap me?" 

His response to the Sadducees: "Why don't you understand? Don't you know what the scriptures say, and don't you know about the power of God?"

His response to the honest seeker: "You are close to the kingdom of God." The honest seeker understood. The bringing of sacrifices to God is not what is important. It is the obedience to what God says that is important.

For the honest seeker Jesus became the cornerstone. "The stone that the builders rejected became the cornerstone." For the Pharisees and the Sadducees He became the stumbling stone. "The person who falls on this stone will be broken, and on whomever that stone falls, that person will be crushed." (Matthew 22:42–44)

We are called to surrender, obey, and serve. Jesus never turns away an honest seeker.

Life Lesson ~ When you are fed up with life and utterly exhausted, look for a way to love someone around you. Being patient and maintaining a caring attitude when you don't feel like it shows that you have experienced God's love.


Next Entry: Mark 13:1–37

Mark 10:1–52

August 13, 2012

The story of the rich young ruler. The Life Lesson for today's reading says it all.

Life Lesson Observation: "Jesus urges us to discard material security to follow him. By sacrificing the treasures of this world we gain the treasures of heaven."

"...You see, it wasn't the money that hindered the rich man; it was the self-sufficiency. It wasn't the possessions; it was the pomp. It wasn't the big bucks; it was the big head...

Astounding. These people are standing before the throne of God and bragging about themselves. The great trumpet has sounded, and they are still tooting their own horns. Rather than sing his praises, they sing their own. Rather than worship God, they read their resumes. When they should be speechless, they speak. In the very aura of the King they boast of self. What is worse—their arrogance or their blindness? 

... God does not save us because of what we've done...

The jewel of joy is given to the impoverished spiritᐧs, not the affluent. God's delight is received upon surrender, not awarded upon conquest." ~ From The Applause of Heaven by Max Lucado

Life Lesson Exploration: "Think about the rich value of faith."

"If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing even to give up their lives to follow me. Those who want to save their lives will give up true life. But those who give up their lives for me and for the Good News will have true life. It is worth nothing for them to have the whole world if they lose their souls." Mark 8:34–36

Get rid of anything that keeps you from surrendering your ALL to Christ.

• Aspirations 
• Goals
• Dreams
• Desires
• Wrong Relationships
• Pride
• Self Sufficiency
• Fear
• Anything that causes you to sin and prevents or breaks your relationship with Christ.  

Nothing this world has to offer is worth risking your eternal salvation.

At the end of Chapter 10, Bartimeus who was blind, calls out to Jesus. "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." He knew who Jesus was—the Son of David—not "teacher" like the rich man called him. Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man answered, "I want to see." In Jane's (Her Name Was Jane) Bible she has written: "Specific praying (asking) gets specific answers. Specific directions—carried out specifically." Jesus asked a specific question. "What do you want me to do for you?" He asks us specific questions as well. "What are you doing with that stuff still in here?" See The New Beginning - Out With the Old.

God wants us to go to Him with specific questions and He comes to us with specific questions. His answers are black and white, and ours should be as well. For us to hear the questions and understand His answers, we MUST be in His Word.

The answer to all our questions are found in His Word. Read it!!


Next Entry: The New Beginning: Just Do It!

The New Beginning: Out With the Old

July 30, 2012

We've been back from hiking the Appalachian Trail for several weeks now. It was while we were staying at the Pheasant Field Bed and Breakfast in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, that one evening I strongly felt we were to start praying about a NEW BEGINNING. I had no idea what a "New Beginning" meant, what it was or what it was going to look like, but we started praying about it anyway.

I don't know how to explain it, but there just seems to be something different in the air: a looking forward; an anticipation. We were not "stuck" in the past, and we weren't "holding on" while waiting for the future. In spite of "the storm," we were happily living our lives in the present—day by day seeking and doing the Lord's will. And now it was as if God was saying, "It's time. It's time to start looking forward." But, how do you look forward when you don't know what forward is? So, we began to pray and seek God's will, guidance, and wisdom concerning the NEW BEGINNING, and He is slowly starting to reveal what the "New Beginning" looks like.

First and foremost, we need to always make sure we are totally God-reliant and not self-sufficient.  No matter what is going on externally in our lives—good, bad, or in between—the foundation always needs to be Christ. Difficult times are often a tool God uses to bring us into a closer relationship with Him. As we search for God we will find Him. (Jeremiah 29:11–13) God uses difficult times as teachable moments. It is often during times of difficulty that we begin to get a glimpse of HIS majesty.

John tells about the death of Lazarus. Jesus could have prevented his death and the pain and suffering felt by all those around him. He could have, but He purposely chose not to. John 11:15 - "And I am glad for your sakes I was not there so that you may believe. But let's go to him now." Glad! Jesus was glad because HE KNEW there was a plan. Mary and Martha only knew they were in pain and that Jesus could have prevented it. They didn't understand and couldn't see that JOY was down the path they were on.

Back in 2007, when the truth about what my sister and brother-in-law had done and what they were capable of doing became obvious, we just wanted away from them and we wanted away from them NOW! I remember my husband's prayers as we walked together every day and how he wanted the lawsuit to end quickly. Now, it is five plus years later, and we can honestly and truthfully say, "Thank goodness it was not over as quickly as we first wanted it over." We would have missed out on SO much. We have literally seen the Hand of God working in our lives. How could someone ever regret that? Jesus knew the plan. He knew the path. He knew what He wanted to show us and teach us. "I am glad for your sakes..." This whole mess was and is for our good. God has chosen the path we are on and we are content in following Him one step at a time. 

I've already referenced John 11. The reason I was reading John 11 is because that is where the Life Lesson for Mark 8 sent me. The two things that struck me were: 1) God choosing not to prevent Lazarus from dying because of what He wanted to teach them; and 2) The words Jesus said when He called Lazarus out of the grave. He said, "Take off the cloths (the things which were binding him) and let him go..."

It was Jesus' lack of action that allowed Lazarus to die. Jesus made the decision not to act quickly because He wanted to have a teachable moment. So, it was God's decision that caused him to be bound. But now Jesus is saying, "Take off the cloth... let him go." I just sat in the loft and read that over and over. "Let him go... let him go... let him go!" Take off what is binding him and what is holding him captive—and let him go. When God decides the time is right, "the storm" WILL be over and the cloths which have been used to bind us (and God allowed) will be removed and we will be let go. The when is God's decision, and we are willing to calmly and patiently wait until that day happens. It is part of the NEW BEGINNING.

But, there is more. As I was writing in my Journal on Friday, (before reading John 11) a phrase came to my mind. "It doesn't matter." It doesn't matter? What doesn't matter? One thing that doesn't matter is anything my sister or brother-in-law do (or do not) do. Their questionable, immoral or illegal activities—doesn't matter. Whether they are lying or not—doesn't matter.  Anything about their lives—doesn't matter. It doesn't matter!

That isn't an angry or I-don't-care-about-you statement. Not at all. It is just acknowledging that God has everything under control and that He has a plan. I don't need to know what His plan is, because it doesn't matter. My responsibility is to let go and let God. A NEW BEGINNING—it doesn't matter! I have no desire to know what is or is not happening in their lives—because it doesn't matter.

That all happened on a Friday morning. Friday night I was vacuuming and my husband was outside mowing. I was cleaning around our antique mule bin chest which was completely filled with lawsuit files. As I was cleaning a new thought (impression) came to my mind in the form of a question. "Why is all this stuff still in the house?" The question seemed strange. Why? Well... isn't it obvious?  We have to keep it (duh), the lawsuit is still going—and I kept vacuuming. The same thought came again. "Why is it still in here?" I paused what I was doing and began to think about it. Well... I guess it wouldn't have to be. We could get more of those large industrial strength containers we had just purchased for another project and put the stuff in our garage I guess. There is room in the storage building/garage now that we've cleaned out some of the project's assets. In my mind I started questioning the possibilities and ramifications of removing all the items. Wouldn't it be crazy to take all of it out now? What if the lawsuit starts back up soon? But then I thought, so what if it does? It doesn't matter! You would still have it, it just won't be in the house.

I turned off the vacuum and went outside to tell my husband. He stopped the mower and I said, "I think we are supposed to store all the lawsuit stuff in the garage." I was ready to go to Menards, get the boxes, and get started, but it was already late in the evening and we decided we would stop and get more boxes on the way home from church on Sunday since we were going to our daughter's (in Ohio) in the morning. So, that is what we did. On the way home from church we stopped and purchased five more boxes to go with the one we had just purchased. By Sunday evening, all the boxes were full and stored in our detached garage.

I hated having all the vile and poisonous junk in our home. Everywhere you looked there was lawsuit junk. The mule bin chest was full. The entire bottom drawer of the large legal size file cabinet—full. The bottom three drawers of the tall office cabinet—full. The storage room downstairs—full with many items. While I hated having all the lawsuit "stuff" in our home, NEVER in all these years, did I even consider removing it before the lawsuit was over. NEVER! Before I would say, "I can't wait 'till the lawsuit is over so I can get all this evil out of here," but I never ever considered doing it while the lawsuit was still going. And then, out of nowhere, the thought comes, "Why is this stuff still in the house?" Well, by Sunday night, everything was gone and stored in the garage. Everything except the three boxes stored under the copier with the important numbered documents.

I cannot explain how freeing it is to have the house purged of the wickedness. It literally felt as if a heavy weight was lifted. Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty, free at last!

If (or when) the lawsuit starts back up we still have what we need, it just isn't in the house. The last three boxes (the boxes with the numbered documents), I was going to put downstairs. Those are the "really important" files. But this morning (Monday) while in the shower I suddenly had the same impression or thought. "What are you doing with those last three boxes still in the house? Hmm. Well... those are the "really important" boxes so I thought I should keep those close by so I was going to put those boxes in the basement. And again, "Why are you holding on to those?" Okay, LORD. I'll take those out too.

I called my husband and asked him to stop and get more storage containers on his way home from an appointment. The final boxes are going to the garage.

We are either ignorantly foolish, or we are courageously obedient. Fear would say, "You know of course that as soon as you do this it will cause the lawsuit to start back up." But faith says, "Believe me! Be obedient to me! No matter what."

July 31, 2012

Here is what we are learning about the NEW BEGINNING so far:

1. Our sphere of influence is increasing and expanding;
2. It doesn't matter. We don't need to know about everything that is or is not happening;
3. We have been released from the oppression of the vile and poisonous junk that surrounds this lawsuit. The house is purged of ALL of it. The air is cleared.

It will be interesting to see what else God is going to show us and what else we are going to learn as we follow God down this path of NEW BEGINNING.

"I am glad for your sakes I was not there so that you may believe. But let's go to him now."  John 11:15   

Jesus said to them, "Take the cloth off of him and let him go." John 11:44

*****

I understand I am taking a huge risk by putting my thought processes down on paper. Those who have ulterior motives would use this to say it proves I am crazy because I am making up and listening to "voices" in my head. My sister and brother-in-law have already made reference to this by claiming to be afraid of me because I (according to them) am emotionally unstable. However, I will not let the false accusations of others keep me from writing how the Holy Spirit has guided us and led us down this path. On my own I would have NEVER EVER considered taking the toxic junk out of our house. We KNOW God has guided us on this path. The things that seemed random was actually God's hand. To God be the glory for the things HE has done!   

Addendum: 1/12/16 ~ Interestingly, I found out our lawyer removed all of his storage boxes (twenty some) from his office and put them in storage the exact same week that we removed all the "junk" from our home.

For three and one half years the storage boxes remained in the garage. Then before the Settlement Conference, I told our lawyer that I wasn't going to look up any of the things my sister referred to in their settlement "offer" to us unless he told me he wanted me to. Well, he responded that he did want me to review and be able to respond to her "facts" with the evidence. He wanted me to be the one doing the talking at the Settlement Conference. He wanted the judge to be able to hear directly from me and to make his own decision about who was telling the truth and what the truth was/is. So, the boxes were brought back in and I went through each one of them. What a mess. It was during the weeks before Christmas and I had large black industrial boxes with piles of paper strewn throughout our entire living room. I methodically went through everything. I pulled relevant documents out and organized them in binders, and then the boxes went back to the garage.

I'm not sure why I was to go through everything again because none of it was needed for the Settlement Conference. NONE. The judge did an awesome job and purposely did not go into any of their accusations and did not ask about the facts of the case. So, why was I to go through everything again? I don't know. Maybe it is so we are prepared for trial because everything is now in organized binders. Or maybe it is part of the trail and someday the rest of what is in the boxes can be burned.  Trial? Or trail? I don't know, and I don't need to know. It doesn't matter!

In my Journal Entry for Genesis 4:1 – 5:24 (written on November 21, 2009) I wrote about why God asks us questions. It isn't because He doesn't know the answer. He asks us questions because He wants us to admit the truth. I can see more clearly now the "why" of the question, "Why are those still in here... why are you still holding on to those?" We have said all along that we believe the promises God gave us through Jane (Her Name was Jane) and the other promises He has given us throughout the nine plus years on this journey. I wrote in a letter to our lawyer clear back in 2008 that we strongly felt this lawsuit would never proceed to trial, and even though we were still in the thick of it, the end result is past tense—it is done. Then why? Why was everything still in the house? And why, after removing everything else, was I still holding on to the last three "important" boxes? We said we believed it was over. So, why?

I now believe God was showing us truth. Our house was filled with (and we were holding onto) things as if we were the ones who were going to need to prove our innocence. Obviously, we still did not completely "get it." We are to be wise, but God does not need our help. Our lawyer had me go through everything again, and not one single thing was needed. You have to wonder if it was wasted time, but I don't believe it was. It was an important reminder of where we've been; what we've gone through; and WHO is in charge of where we are going. It was also a stark reminder of what this lawsuit is really about and who my sister and brother-in-law truly are at the core.

The Settlement Conference showed us there has been no heart change. Going through everything once again only reinforced our understanding of what God has done to protect us and provide for us. HE IS IN CONTROL and we trust HIM. He does not need our help. He only needs our obedience.

Addendum #2: April 14, 2017 ~ I have finished putting my journal entries into this blog and have begun to work on getting Walking By Faith: A True Story of God's Faithfulness (the blog which tells the story of Jane) finished. In the process of doing so, I have been adding links from her blog to this blog and I came across this July 30, 2012 entry. What struck me today was Jesus' words, "Take off the cloths (the things which were binding him) and let him go..."

It was Jesus' lack of action that allowed Lazarus to die. Jesus made the decision to not act quickly because he wanted to have a teachable moment. So it was God's decision that caused him to be bound. But now Jesus is saying, "Take off the cloth... let him go." I just sat in the loft and read that over and over. "Let him go... let him go... let him go!" Take off what is binding him and what is holding him captive—and let him go. When God decides the time is right, "the storm" WILL be over and the cloths which have been used to bind us (and God allowed) will be removed and we will be let go. The when is God's decision, and we are willing to calmly and patiently wait until that day happens. It is part of the NEW BEGINNING.

When I first wrote this in 2012, the words of Jesus obviously resounded with me. However, it wasn't until today that I saw the correlation between Jesus' words and the words King Cyrus used to free the people of Israel and thereby fulfill the promise God gave to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 33. Incredible.

In July of 2012 I didn't realize I had missed writing about the Lost Chapters between II Chronicles 11:18 and II Chronicles 36:23. I didn't write about those chapters until exactly two years later, July 2014. You can read about the Lost Chapters that God set aside for such a time as this and didn't have me read and write about until my journey of reading through the Bible was completed, here.

The very last sentence in the very last verse in the very last chapter of my journey of writing my thoughts while reading through the Bible, records the words King Cyrus used to fulfill God's promise to Jeremiah and God's last words of promise to us through Jane:

You are free to go.

The words of Jesus: "Take off the cloths... and let him go."

The words of King Cyrus as he fulfilled God's promise to Jeremiah: You are free to go.

What a surprise to read this today and see the correlation between the words of Jesus and the words of God's promise fulfilled. There will come a day when we are "free to go." There will come a day when the cloths used to bind us (the lawsuit) will be peeled away and we will be freed to change the private designation on this blog to public. The journey has been for our good and it soon will be used for the good of others as well. When the time is right, it WILL happen. There will come a day.  

The words and melody of an old hymn are playing in my mind. I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus of Nazarene.  How appropriate on this Good Friday. Easter is coming!! Praise the LORD!


Next Entry: His Hands and Feet

Amos 1:1 – 2:16

February 06, 2012

"This is what the LORD says: For the many crimes of __________, I will punish them." He says this eight different times in the first two chapters of Amos, and each time the LORD goes on to say why He is going to punish the different groups.

Amos was just a shepherd, but God spoke to him about what was going to happen. He was an improbable man, and his message was improbable. Yet, within 50 years, the improbable happened and God's words came true. It is heartening to KNOW that God keeps His word. It is also comforting to know that God will try to draw His people back to Him before He judges them. Accountability will happen. The wrath of God is real. Not an outburst that is uncontrolled but instead "holiness reacting to evil in a way that is morally right and glorious." ~ From Alone in Majesty by William McDonald.

Max Lucado in his book The Great House of God says this, "As drastic as it may appear, God will actually allow a person to experience hell on earth, in hopes of awakening his faith. A holy love makes the tough choice to release the child to the consequences of his rebellion."

God laid out the problems:

• Anger
• Greed
• Revenge
• Arrogance
• Pride
• Aggression towards family
• The hunt for wealth

God reminds them, "It was I" who made you what you are. I AM THE ONE who gave you the promised land. "Isn't this true?" I, the LORD, am the one who gave, and I will be the one to take away. You will be stuck, like a wagon in the mud. No one will escape, not even the fastest. You will not be strong enough to save yourself. Nothing. Not power. Not strength. Not strategies. Nothing will be able to thwart what God has promised to do.

Addendum:  9/22/15 ~  God's word is so encouraging. Over and over it seems that God has used the words I wrote years ago as an encouragement to me today. NOTHING will be able to thwart what God has promised to do. NOTHING!  No matter how long or difficult this path is, we will walk it with joy and praise on our lips for the surpassing greatness of our Father.  


Next Entry: Amos 3:1 – 6:14  

Isaiah 22:1 – 23:18

July 28, 2011

It is early morning. The sun has not yet risen. I've been lying awake praying. So, instead of just lying in bed, I decided to get up and read, write, and pray. Psalm 139:23 - "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." You already know everything about me LORD. If I have blind spots, please shine your light of truth and expose them, and I will repent quickly.

Repent quickly. Oh what danger there is in not repenting quickly. I want to know if I have any blind spots. I want to live in God's light and truth.  

Isaiah 22:1 – 23:18 - God's message to Jerusalem. Why are you trying to do things yourself without coming to me? You did not trust me. You did not respect me. (Isaiah 22:11) So I (the LORD) say this to you. Repent! Be sorry for what you have done. But instead you are going on with your life as if there is no tomorrow, eating, drinking, and pleasing yourself. (Isaiah 22:12-14)

I (the LORD) am the One in control. I will decide what is right and wrong. I will decide who leads and who doesn't. You who think you are in control:

• What are you doing?
• Who said you could cut out a tomb for yourself?
• Why are you doing this?
• Why are you carving a tomb from the rock?

You think you are in control—you're not. "The LORD will throw you away. He will take firm hold of you and roll you tightly in a ball and throw you into another country. I will force you out of your important job, and you will be thrown down from your important place." (Isaiah 22: 15-19)

God removed Shebna from being the manager of the palace because of his actions. All he worked hard to acquire and do for himself was given to Eliakim. God knows the heart. God knows the motives. No scheme of man can manipulate God's will. Repent. Like our Pastor says, "Repent well... repent quickly."


Next Entry: Isaiah 24:1 – 27:13

Isaiah 8:1 – 10:34

July 25, 2011

Four times in these chapters (and once in Chapter 5), the same phrase is repeated: "But the LORD was still angry; his hand was still raised to punish the people." Why? Because His people were still being stubborn (hardening their hearts), being self-reliant, and refusing to follow Him. He tells them to come to Him for help and salvation. But instead, they rely on others and themselves. They just don't understand the total uselessness in trying to do things their own ways. Isaiah 8:10 - "Make your plans for the fight, but they will be defeated. Give orders to your armies, but they will be useless, because God is with us."

God warned Isaiah against believing and fearing what the other people were fearing. The LORD All-Powerful is holy. He is the One you should have respect (fear and dread) for. He is the One who will be a place of safety for you. It is the same message in the New Testament as well. Fear God—not people. Then in Isaiah 8:14-15 - after it says the LORD "will be a place of safety for you" IF you go to Him for your protection, it contrasts that statement with what happens when you refuse to surrender to Him; He becomes a stumbling block.

"He will be like a stone that causes people to stumble, like a rock that makes them fall. He will be like a trap for the people of Jerusalem, and he will catch them in his trap. Many people will fall over this rock. They will fall and be broken; they will be trapped and caught."

Place of safety—verses—stumbling block. What a contrast. In Matthew 21:42-43 Jesus says, "The stones that the builders rejected became the cornerstone. The LORD did this, and it is wonderful to us. (CF - Psalm 118:22-23) So I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to people who do the things God wants in His kingdom. The person who falls on this stone will be broken, and on whomever that stone falls, that person will be crushed."

God's plan, and His desire for our lives, is that we (His people) would trust Him and He would become the cornerstone, the very basis and foundation for our lives. When He is our foundation He becomes our place of safety. But in his Sovereignty He knew—He knew that not everyone would choose to trust Him and make Him their cornerstone. To those who refuse Him, He becomes a stone that causes people to stumble, fall, be trapped, and broken; a hardening of the hearts by His very words. The choice seems so clear, yet many refuse.

Wait! Wait on the LORD. Ask God for His help. Follow the teachings of the LORD, because a new day is coming. And their heavy loads will be lifted because, "A child has been born to us; God has given a son to us." He will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) The LORD All-Powerful will do this because of this strong love for His people. (Isaiah 9:7) A new day is coming for those who trust in the LORD. But, for those who refuse to trust in the LORD a day of judgment is coming. And when that judgment arrives, they will know that God sent it! "How terrible it will be," for those who are proud and brag about their own abilities; who are not fair; who rob people of their rights; who steal, etc. "How will you explain the things you have done? What will you do when your destruction comes from far away? Where will you run for help? Where will you hide your riches then?" (Isaiah 10:3)

In Chapter 7 it talks about how Ahaz sought the help of the king of Assyria instead of accepting God's help. In Chapter 10, God talks about the punishment He will give to Assyria. "But Assyria's king doesn't understand that I am using him; he doesn't know he is a tool for me." (Isaiah 10:7) The king of Assyria was very proud and sure he was in control. It was all about I... I... I... me... me... me. Over eight times in just two verse he talks about what all he has done. He had no idea that God was using him for his own purposes. Whether he knew it or not, God was (and is) in control.

• An ax isn't better than the one who swings it.
• A saw isn't better than the one who uses it.
• A stick cannot control the person who picks it up.
• A club can't pick up a person.

And God was using him. When the time was right God held him accountable for all the years of disobedience and disregard for the LORD.

Watch!

• The LORD God will chop them down like a great tree.
• Those who are great will be cut down.
• Those who are important will fall to the ground.

ALL by the power of the Mighty One.


Next Entry: Isaiah 11 – 12

Isaiah 6:1 – 7:25 (Continued)

July 22, 2011

Chapter 7 is about Ahaz, the king of Judah and his trouble with the kings of Aram and Israel attacking him. When Ahaz found out about their plans he was terrified. The LORD told Isaiah to go to him and tell him, "Be careful. Be calm... don't worry... don't be afraid of their anger... their plan will not succeed; it will not happen... if your faith is not strong, you will not have strength enough to last." Then the LORD spoke to Ahaz and said, "Ask for a sign," and Ahaz replies, "I will not ask..."

I decided to look up who this king Ahaz was. So I went back to II Kings 16 and II Chronicles 28, and found that Ahaz "did not do what the LORD his God said was right." He worshiped Baal. He was doing the same hateful sins the people of Canaan were doing before God forced them out ahead of the Israelites. He burned incense to other gods; he made his children pass through the fire.

This was not Ahaz's first experience with the kings of Aram and Israel. They had battled several times before. There were times the other kings couldn't defeat Ahaz and there were times when the LORD handed Ahaz over to their power for defeat. In Isaiah 7, Ahaz is terrified because the other kings have banded together to attack him. This time the LORD through Isaiah says—Look, come to me and I will keep you safe. Their plans won't succeed. Just be calm, be careful, and don't worry. But, your faith must be strong or you will fail. 

The problem was Ahaz did not have a foundation of faith in the LORD to rely and build on. He was trying everything else but the LORD. He would even copy the altars of those who had defeated him to build for himself, thinking if it worked for them it might work for him. He took the LORD's altar out of the temple and replaced it with his own. He used his own altars for the burnt offerings and grain offerings and sacrifices. The LORD's bronze altar was moved out. He decided to use that altar "to ask questions of God." Obviously, something is drastically wrong when Ahaz replaces what should be the LORD's with his own and other pagan king's altars.

So, God offers Ahaz a chance to do the right thing. To come to Him, the LORD, for safety and protection. All Ahaz had to do was to remain calm, trust God, and have faith. I say "all," but to someone like Ahaz who totally relied on himself and false gods, who wanted to do things his way instead of God's way, well... "all" is a tough thing. The LORD even tells Ahaz to ask Him for a sign and Ahaz refuses. The LORD is trying to give Ahaz every opportunity to come to Him and what does Ahaz do? He boldly, in your face, flat out refuses to do what God tells him to do on a simple request, "Ask for a sign." Ahaz moved the LORD's bronze altar out of the temple; he replaced it with his own; and then delegated the LORD's altar to be what he used when he wanted to ask God a question. Yet, when God tells Ahaz to ask Him anything he wants, Ahaz says—NO.

Instead of accepting the LORD's offer of protection, he goes to the king of Assyria and says, "I am your servant and your friend. Come and save me..." Ahaz can't bring himself to be a servant of THE LORD and accept His free gift of salvation from his enemies. Ahaz instead takes the silver and gold that was in the Temple of the LORD and gives those as gifts to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria listened to Ahaz, and he attacked, defeated, and killed those who were threatening Ahaz.

What Ahaz thought would help him actually harmed him, and God used the king of Assyria to fight against him.

What started out as a "help" to Ahaz turned into what was used for his harm. Nothing caused Ahaz to become "a servant and friend" of the LORD. The more trouble he had, the more he became unfaithful to the LORD. He offered sacrifices to the gods of the people who defeated him. He gathered the things from the temple of the LORD and broke them in pieces. He closed the doors of the Temple. He made altars and put them on every street corner. He never did go to the LORD for help. He never did follow what the LORD had commanded—No other gods. He never did accept God's free gift of Grace. He was stubborn, rebellious, and continued to harden his heart to the very end. Ahaz died without ever knowing what it would have been like to live a surrendered life.

God offered Ahaz safety and salvation but he didn't take it. Like Ahaz, we have a choice as well. Isaiah prophesied about the one who would be coming—Immanuel—who would offer salvation to all mankind, once and for all, and for all time.

Addendum:   4/28/15 ~ God fulfilled His promise given through Isaiah. The question is: Are you/we going to take Him up on His offer?  As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.


Next Entry: A Day to Remember

Job 38:1 – 41:34

January 29, 2011

When you read these chapters the only thing you can think to say is: "Majesty, worship His Majesty."

Up until now in the book of Job everyone was talking "about" God as if He was absent and not hearing them. Now they are face to face with the living God. By my count God asked Job 65 questions in these chapters. 65!!

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?"

"God's questions aren't intended to teach; they are intended to stun. They aren't intended to enlighten; they are intended to awaken. They aren't intended to stir the mind; they are intended to bend the knees..." ~ From In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado

And that is what it does. "Majesty, worship His Majesty."

Addendum:  The LORD—He is the One!!! These chapters ought to be required reading every few days. If you ever start to put your "self" on the throne, these verses will quickly put everything back into the right perspective. The LORD is God; we are not!! Job was a self-sufficient and "honest and innocent man, honoring God, and staying away from evil" because it was the right thing to do. But for the first time he came face to face with the Almighty God and his response was, "I am not worthy; I cannot answer you anything."  When you begin to grasp who the LORD God Almighty is the only response you can give is "I am not worthy."

PSALM 8

O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is YOUR name in all the earth.

You have set YOUR glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants YOU have ordained praise because of YOUR enemies, to silence the foe and avenger. 

When I consider YOUR heavens, the work of YOUR fingers, the moon and the stars which YOU have set in place, what is man that YOU are mindful of him, the son of man that YOU care for him? YOU made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

YOU made him ruler over the works of YOUR hands; YOU put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the seas, all that swim in the paths of the sea.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is YOUR name in all the earth!

Next Entry: Job 42:1–17

Job 1:1 – 2:13 (Continued)

January 4, 2011

The angels come to show themselves to the LORD—again. Satan shows up—again. God questions him—again. God says have you noticed Job? He is honest and innocent. He has integrity. He honors God. He stays away from evil. "You (Satan) caused me to ruin him for no good reason, but he continues to be without blame." Satan answers, Yeah, I saw him... but... one skin for another. You didn't let me touch his body. Hurt his body and we'll see what he does. He'll curse you then.

So, God allowed Satan to put painful sores all over Job's body. Job was in utter misery from head to toe. Unimaginable suffering. He was unrecognizable. His wife tells him to curse God and die. Job answers, "...should we take only good things from God and not trouble?"

In spite of all of this Job did not sin. God is God. He knows what He is doing.

"When you can't trace his hand, trust his heart." Max Lucado

Jane's (Her Name Was Jane) KJV describes what happened to Job as being in Satan's sieve. Wealth—gone. Family—gone. Satan's "theory" was that Job was good because he was prosperous. It may have been Satan's sieve, but it is God who is in control.

Addendum:  12/27/14 ~

"The struggles that you're going through now—don't discard them. Listen to God as he teaches you so that you can teach others. You see, a time of suffering teaches us something we never knew before and may prepare us for a time of counsel that we will give someone years from now. God is with you. God is with you! The same God that guided his Son through death and back to life said he will never leave us or forsake us. He is right there with you, perhaps even more in times of crisis than any other time." ~ From Suffering in The Inspirational Bible.

Next Entry: Job 3:1–26

Job 1:1 – 2:13

January 3, 2011

Job. An honest, upright man. He honored God; did what he knew to be right; and stayed away from evil. Yet he suffered incredible pain and loss.

Two different times (Job 1:6 and Job 2:1), the angels came to show themselves before the LORD. Satan showed up both times. He had no business being there, I'm sure it was just so he could be in God's face as an affront. God asked him where he came from (as if He didn't already know) and Satan replies that he has been roaming the earth. Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, Satan thought he was the "winner" in the "contest" between him and God. And, for a time he has been allowed to be in control of the earth. The key words here are allowed and for a time.

God asks Satan, "Have you seen my servant Job?" Satan of course thinks Job is only righteous because everything has went well in his life... let him be confronted with trouble and then see if he remains righteous. So, God allowed Satan to test Job. God's only restriction was that Satan not touch Job himself.

The attacks were severe and relentless. First Job is told that his oxen (five hundred teams), and his donkeys (five hundred female), were attacked and carried away. The servants with them were all killed except the servant who carried the message to Job. While the messenger was still talking another one came to report that the sheep (seven thousand), had all been destroyed by "lightning from God" and the servants with them killed except for the messenger. While he was speaking another servant arrived and reported that Job's camels (three thousand), had been stolen and the servants with them killed and he was the only one left. While he was still speaking another messenger arrived and said ALL of Job's sons and daughters were killed when a storm came out of the desert.

Attacks. Relentless. Extreme. Everything Job owned—gone. His children—gone. And, what did Job do? He got up, shaved his head, tore his clothes to show how sad he was, and  THEN he bowed down to the ground to worship God!!

"I was naked when I was born, and I will be naked when I die. The LORD gave these things to me, and he has taken them away. Praise the name of the LORD."

"In all this Job did not sin or blame God."

Addendum:  11/27/14 ~ "Satan does things "to" you. God allows things "for" you." (A quote I once read on a church sign and wrote in the margins of my Bible.) 


Next Entry: Job 1:1 – 2:13 (Continued)

Genesis 4:1 – 5:24

November 21, 2009

Cain brought some food. Abel brought the best parts of his flock. God wants our best. Instead of confessing and repenting, Cain became angry. God clearly told Cain what he needed to do. He also told him what the consequences would be if he refused to obey.

Genesis 4:7 - IF—you do things well, THEN—I will accept you. God gave Cain every opportunity to do what was right, but Cain refused. He made his choice and received the consequences God promised.

Genesis 4:7 - Sin wants you (NCV); Sin is crouching at your door (NIV); Sin lieth at the door (KJV). Wow! Do you really want to make choices that allows sin to be crouching at your door?

God's questions:
Genesis 4:6 - Why are you angry?
Genesis 4:9 - Where is your brother?
Genesis 4:10 - What have you done?

The first "change your heart" in the Bible. The very thing we think will bring us freedom is what ends up imprisoning us. i.e. Adam—work the ground; Cain—ground won't grow crops. There are consequences to the choices we make. God wants us to choose to change. If we do not then "sin is crouching by your door" and the door is opened. Cain suffered the consequences. He became a restless wanderer and was separated from God's presence.

God asks—not because He doesn't know.
God asks—because He wants us to admit.

Psalm 51:17 - The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit.

Addendum:  8/28/13 ~ I love how God asks questions. I love it because I recognize it. His questions are always short and to the point. "Why are those still in here?" "Why are you still holding on to those?" (See The New Beginning: Out With the Old written on July 30, 2012.) God doesn't ask because He doesn't know the answer. He knows the answer. What He wants is for us to admit the truth to ourselves and to Him. When we finally admit the truth, we can begin to deal with the truth, confess what we need to confess, and make the changes HE wants in our lives.

"Here is a good rule of thumb: Those who keep secrets from God keep their distance from God.  Those who are honest with God draw near to God...Secrets erect a fence while confession builds a bridge."  From In the Grip of Grace by Max Lucado.

Next Entry: Genesis 6:1 – 8:22

Genesis 1:1 – 3:24

November 16, 2009

As I begin my journey of keeping a journal while reading through the Bible, I'm a little apprehensive. I'm not quite sure what it is I'm supposed to be doing, but after sensing a clear direction from God that now is the time, I am here ready and available. Holy Spirit, please guide and direct my thoughts and writings. Show me what it is you want me to do.

Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning GOD! Knowing where you come from gives light and direction to where you are going.
Genesis 3:6 - Eve "saw" the fruit was good to eat. I wonder how Eve "saw" it was good to eat? Eve saw with her eyes ... then she wanted to have it.
Genesis 3:5 - Satan's temptation appealed to her pride. 

The result of Adam and Eve's choice:
Genesis 3:8 - You can't hide from God.
Genesis 3:12;13 - Blame others, rationalize your behavior.
Genesis 3:17 - Have to work the ground. What we think we are in control of, or what we think will bring us control and freedom, actually imprisons us and makes us slaves. 
Genesis 3:23 - Work the ground from which he was taken.

"...to remove choice is to remove love..."  From In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado

Nehemiah 9:6 - "You are the only LORD"
Acts 14:15 - "He is the One"

Questions from God:
Genesis 3:8 - Where are you?
Genesis 3:11 - Who told you...?
Genesis 3:11 - Did you eat...?
Genesis 3:13 - How could you...?

Addendum:  To read what I wrote the first day and to compare that with how I wrote later in this process, it is quite humbling. You can tell I am just very timid and really not quite sure of what I was supposed to do. There is SO much in the first three chapters of Genesis that I didn't comment on or write about. It is tempting to change what I originally wrote, but that isn't what transcribing my journals is supposed to be about. So, I will transcribe it like I wrote it and we will watch the process of how God grows me throughout it. If there is something new I want to add I will add it as an Addendum to my original writings.

It all comes down this: We each have a choice. We are either going to obey God, submit to His authority and follow His teachings as Master of our lives—or—we will refuse to submit to His authority, defy His teachings, and instead choose (in an act of futility) to be the master and god of our own lives. Pride (what is at the root of most if not all sin) is what got in Eve's way and pride is what gets in our way.


Next Entry: Genesis 4:1 – 5:24