It's 11:17 on a Thursday night and I can' t sleep due to some FM pain in one leg. So I got up from bed and decided to read my devotionals which I didn't have time for this morning. One of them talked about the Father turning away from the Son while He was suffering on the cross.
My youngest, C, knows the Bible fairly well. So I asked him, "Do you know of any place in the Bible where it talks about God the Father turning His back on the Son?" He said he couldn't think of a specific verse but he said God can't look on sin. So...
Not good enough for me so I started searching for any references about turning away in the Scriptures. There are a number of them but none having to do with Christ on the cross. So I looked up Matthew 27:46
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud
voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is,
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Using Strong's Concordance, "sabachthani" means, "you have left me." It doesn't say turned your back; it could mean that but I don't think so. At least not any more.
Have you ever been in a situation with your child where you wish more than anything you could get them out of it, take them away from it, never let them feel the pain or hurt that they are feeling, but you you are helpless and there is nothing you can do? If you read one of my previous posts, you know that I've been going through that with J & A. There's nothing I can do to take it away.
Now, am I saying that God the Father was incapable of taking the cross and the pain away. No, He could have, but the payment for sin and death would never have been made. Christ Himself could have come down off of the cross, but again the payment would not have made.
I do believe the Father was there, facing the cross with His Precious Son on it carrying our debt. I wonder if tears flowed from His eyes knowing that the sacrifice had to be made, the payment for sin carried through. Scripture tells us that the sun was darkened for 3 hours. I believe it was a private time for the Father and the Son. The rest of us were not allowed to look on; even creation couldn't.
This brings great comfort to me because again I'm reminded that God our Father and our Precious Saviour know our sorrows. They understand the tears that we shed. My God can comfort me and all others because He has known sorrow and has come through it.
When Christ was on the cross, one of the last things He said was, "It is finished." This is an accounting term. The debt has been paid in full - there is no more payment needed. Jesus Christ, dying on the cross, taking your and my debt for sin, has paid for it. By believing in Him and what He has done, I know there will come a day when I will meet that little one who is gone from this earth. I know J & A will meet the special one as well as the rest of my family.
The question for you is: Will You Meet Them? If the answer is yes, that is great! But if it is no or "I'm not sure," believe on the LORD Jesus Christ today. Know that He has paid the debt for your sins and you do not have to face the eternal punishment that will come to those who reject Him.
And to all who believe, what a great reminder that our God truly is the God of all Comfort because He has been there.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
The Wind
This morning my reading was in the book of Jeremiah. It's a hard book to read as it deals with the destruction of Judah for not obeying the word of the LORD. Jeremiah minces no bones and deals straight forth with the sin, though it is hard for him and he struggles with all of it. He is known as the Weeping Prophet.
He brings the wind out of His treasuries. Jeremiah 10:13
But in the midst of all this, I found the above statement. Now as for me the wind is usually troublesome. It blows things away that I want. It can be so severe it knocks over trees or light poles and causes immense damage. It can keep a person up during the night from the howling it makes. There are times when it is so hot that a gentle breeze is welcome, but most of the time, I can do without it. BUT
He brings the wind of out of His treasuries.
I have NEVER looked at the wind as being a part of the treasuries of God. It's a rainy day in our little town today and the wind has been blowing, not hard, but enough to get a breeze going through the house. This is a part of the treasuries of God.
My devotional reading from Let's Take a Walk Together said this about God:
Just as parents protect and defend their own children, nothing can reach the
child of God without having to first pass through our Almighty Defender
and then through our Advocate. Parents comfort and reassure; the Holy
Comforter works from within, settling our fears and re-routing our mis-
guided thoughts.
Our God works in our lives for our good, but ultimately for His glory. He cares for me as a child, and yet I find myself rebellious and stubborn. How much of the treasuries of God am I missing because I am so focused on me?
He brings the wind out of His treasuries.
As I watch the wind gently moving the leaves in the trees, I am struck that He did this for me... out of His treasuries... for my blessing... so that I might praise Him.
He brings the wind out of His treasuries. Jeremiah 10:13
But in the midst of all this, I found the above statement. Now as for me the wind is usually troublesome. It blows things away that I want. It can be so severe it knocks over trees or light poles and causes immense damage. It can keep a person up during the night from the howling it makes. There are times when it is so hot that a gentle breeze is welcome, but most of the time, I can do without it. BUT
He brings the wind of out of His treasuries.
I have NEVER looked at the wind as being a part of the treasuries of God. It's a rainy day in our little town today and the wind has been blowing, not hard, but enough to get a breeze going through the house. This is a part of the treasuries of God.
My devotional reading from Let's Take a Walk Together said this about God:
Just as parents protect and defend their own children, nothing can reach the
child of God without having to first pass through our Almighty Defender
and then through our Advocate. Parents comfort and reassure; the Holy
Comforter works from within, settling our fears and re-routing our mis-
guided thoughts.
Our God works in our lives for our good, but ultimately for His glory. He cares for me as a child, and yet I find myself rebellious and stubborn. How much of the treasuries of God am I missing because I am so focused on me?
He brings the wind out of His treasuries.
As I watch the wind gently moving the leaves in the trees, I am struck that He did this for me... out of His treasuries... for my blessing... so that I might praise Him.
Perfection
This morning in Grace for the Moment
by Max Lucado, he said, “God doesn't improve (us); He perfects.”
And it hit me that's what God is trying to do with me. He doesn't
want better, He wants perfection. But I can't do perfection. And
that's okay, because He knows I can't. What He wants is for me to
admit that and let Him work through me to bring about that
perfection.
He sees me in His Son, the LORD Jesus Christ. I am covered in His righteousness. My reading in Zephaniah said this about the LORD:
The LORD is righteous in her midst,
He will do no unrighteousness.
The her He is referring to is Israel, but it's apropos for this morning. The LORD will never do any unrighteousness. He lives in me. His desire for me is only perfection and that is for His glory.
On my screen-saver as I was reading my devotions was the photo with me sitting at a Rockies game with me pregnant expecting our 3rd child and the older two, almost 3 and almost 5, next to me. Right now those three are ages 20, 23, and almost 25.
As I looked at each of them, it occurred to me that God is dealing with each one in a very unique way. Our oldest (J) is married to a beautiful young woman (A). We still can't get over how God has blessed us by bringing her into our lives. Well, they are suffering right now experiencing their first miscarriage. They are looking to our Heavenly Father and relying upon Him and trying not to be bitter. They are finding it hard when they look around them and see people who don't follow the LORD and have babies out of wedlock with no problems. But they have also found joy in this – their child got to meet the LORD Jesus before they did. Hard Times
Our second child (T) has had the great opportunity to serve the LORD overseas in a difficult land for 3 months. She loved her time there. She wants to return for a year to serve Him in working with a foster mom who works with handicapped children. But it seems no matter which way she turns the answer is wait. She now has a temp job until January as a nanny. She's hoping at the end of that time that the LORD will say yes. Waiting Times.
Our youngest (C) has a flare for drama. He's hoping to attend a conservatory. He's made application and auditioned but is awaiting word of his acceptance. And though we believe this is where the LORD wants him, he's doing nothing else. He had a job but was let go because of laziness and there really wasn't enough work to keep him on. Since then he's not done anything except sit around and play his video games. Do I believe this is where the LORD wants him? No. Do I encourage him to look for work and do other things? Yes. Can I make him? No. Times of Going My Own Way.
As I look at each of my children, I realize that God has allowed me to go through each of those times and will probably again in the future. And even in the times where He allows me to do what I want by going my own way instead of what He wants, I am realizing He still uses this for my good and His glory. I am struck by how amazing God is in that He can use all of these times to perfect us. I am humbled this morning by what He is doing in my life and so thankful that He is also doing the same thing in each one of my children's lives, no matter where they are. His goal is perfection.
(written 8-23-13)
He sees me in His Son, the LORD Jesus Christ. I am covered in His righteousness. My reading in Zephaniah said this about the LORD:
The LORD is righteous in her midst,
He will do no unrighteousness.
The her He is referring to is Israel, but it's apropos for this morning. The LORD will never do any unrighteousness. He lives in me. His desire for me is only perfection and that is for His glory.
On my screen-saver as I was reading my devotions was the photo with me sitting at a Rockies game with me pregnant expecting our 3rd child and the older two, almost 3 and almost 5, next to me. Right now those three are ages 20, 23, and almost 25.
As I looked at each of them, it occurred to me that God is dealing with each one in a very unique way. Our oldest (J) is married to a beautiful young woman (A). We still can't get over how God has blessed us by bringing her into our lives. Well, they are suffering right now experiencing their first miscarriage. They are looking to our Heavenly Father and relying upon Him and trying not to be bitter. They are finding it hard when they look around them and see people who don't follow the LORD and have babies out of wedlock with no problems. But they have also found joy in this – their child got to meet the LORD Jesus before they did. Hard Times
Our second child (T) has had the great opportunity to serve the LORD overseas in a difficult land for 3 months. She loved her time there. She wants to return for a year to serve Him in working with a foster mom who works with handicapped children. But it seems no matter which way she turns the answer is wait. She now has a temp job until January as a nanny. She's hoping at the end of that time that the LORD will say yes. Waiting Times.
Our youngest (C) has a flare for drama. He's hoping to attend a conservatory. He's made application and auditioned but is awaiting word of his acceptance. And though we believe this is where the LORD wants him, he's doing nothing else. He had a job but was let go because of laziness and there really wasn't enough work to keep him on. Since then he's not done anything except sit around and play his video games. Do I believe this is where the LORD wants him? No. Do I encourage him to look for work and do other things? Yes. Can I make him? No. Times of Going My Own Way.
As I look at each of my children, I realize that God has allowed me to go through each of those times and will probably again in the future. And even in the times where He allows me to do what I want by going my own way instead of what He wants, I am realizing He still uses this for my good and His glory. I am struck by how amazing God is in that He can use all of these times to perfect us. I am humbled this morning by what He is doing in my life and so thankful that He is also doing the same thing in each one of my children's lives, no matter where they are. His goal is perfection.
(written 8-23-13)
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Knowing Him
My readings were in 2nd Kings this morning and a line caught my eye:
... Him you shall fear, Him you shall worship
and to Him you shall offer sacrifice. (2 Kings 17:36)
As one who has trusted the LORD Jesus Christ, I know my sins are forgiven and I am no longer under the law. But I feel that as believers in this time period we have lost something. We have lost the fear of the Lord.
It's interesting to me that God ordained that the children of Israel were first to fear Him. Why fear? Why not sacrifice first or even worship first? Why fear?
Could it be that in order to truly fear God you have to know Him. And what kind of fear is this talking about? I decided to look it up at dictionary.com. Here's what it said:
1. a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc.,
whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of
being afraid.
2. a specific instance of or propensity for such a feeling: an abnormal
fear of heights.
3. concern or anxiety; solicitude: a fear for someone's safety.
4. reverential awe, especially toward God: the fear of God.
5. something that causes feelings of dread or apprehension; something a
person is afraid of: Cancer is a common fear.
I believe it is definition number 4 that applies here: a reverential awe. We don't know how to fear God. We don't know what it means to be in reverential awe of Him. We are willing to talk of His love; we like that part of Him. But to be in awe of Him.
He is the God Who created this world out of nothing by just saying the words. He is the One Who brought judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah for not honouring Him. He is the One Who brought the widow's son back to life. He is the One Who can cause a young couple who have just learned that their baby has been miscarried to say, "It is for God's glory."
Do we know Him enough to fear Him? I know I don't, at least not the way I should. My hearts prayer is that I may learn of Him more so that I may truly fear Him. Then I can worship Him in the way that He ought to be worshipped. Then I can offer my life as that living and holy sacrifice which is holy and acceptable to Him.
It is step by step. As He shows me more of Himself, then I can stand in fear of Him... a little more, then worship Him... a little more, then offer myself to Him... a little more. But I have to start in knowing Him.
... Him you shall fear, Him you shall worship
and to Him you shall offer sacrifice. (2 Kings 17:36)
As one who has trusted the LORD Jesus Christ, I know my sins are forgiven and I am no longer under the law. But I feel that as believers in this time period we have lost something. We have lost the fear of the Lord.
It's interesting to me that God ordained that the children of Israel were first to fear Him. Why fear? Why not sacrifice first or even worship first? Why fear?
Could it be that in order to truly fear God you have to know Him. And what kind of fear is this talking about? I decided to look it up at dictionary.com. Here's what it said:
1. a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc.,
whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of
being afraid.
2. a specific instance of or propensity for such a feeling: an abnormal
fear of heights.
3. concern or anxiety; solicitude: a fear for someone's safety.
4. reverential awe, especially toward God: the fear of God.
5. something that causes feelings of dread or apprehension; something a
person is afraid of: Cancer is a common fear.
I believe it is definition number 4 that applies here: a reverential awe. We don't know how to fear God. We don't know what it means to be in reverential awe of Him. We are willing to talk of His love; we like that part of Him. But to be in awe of Him.
He is the God Who created this world out of nothing by just saying the words. He is the One Who brought judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah for not honouring Him. He is the One Who brought the widow's son back to life. He is the One Who can cause a young couple who have just learned that their baby has been miscarried to say, "It is for God's glory."
Do we know Him enough to fear Him? I know I don't, at least not the way I should. My hearts prayer is that I may learn of Him more so that I may truly fear Him. Then I can worship Him in the way that He ought to be worshipped. Then I can offer my life as that living and holy sacrifice which is holy and acceptable to Him.
It is step by step. As He shows me more of Himself, then I can stand in fear of Him... a little more, then worship Him... a little more, then offer myself to Him... a little more. But I have to start in knowing Him.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Another Scary Verse
Is 57:21 “There is no peace,”
Says my God, “for the wicked."
I came across this verse in my reading for yesterday. In this chapter God talks about the way He is dealing with Israel. God talks about the sinner whom He will restore and care for. But the chapter ends with the verse above. There is NO peace for the wicked.
No Peace. No peace with God. No peace of God. No peace at all.
Yesterday had begun to be a good day. My son and I were headed home from his audition at a conservatory. We were talking, had a good lunch at Arby's and had one more stop before we headed for home. I needed to stop and get our monthly groceries at Walmart.
It was 3:00 in the afternoon. We got all of our shopping done in 50 minutes. I was excited! We would make it home in time for dinner. Everything was going as planned until the check-out lane. My Visa card was declined - TWICE! I had just used it for lunch. There was no reason this should happen. I panicked. I used a different card, but was confused, frustrated, hurt, embarrassed. This should not have happened.
So we needed gas - same thing again. WHAT IS GOING ON? But instead of turning to the LORD and resting in Him, my anger started, and kept on building. By the time I got home I was furious with the bank. HOW DARE THEY! I hadn't planned on telling on my husband until later because he was speaking and I didn't want to trouble him. But I had gotten so worked up that it was the first thing that poured out of my mouth when I saw him.
I called the bank to find out the problem and they said they couldn't talk to me until I told them my phone password. For the life of me I can't even remember setting up a phone password. They told me my card had fraudulent activity on it. But they could disclose no more details without the password. So I hung up on them, angry and more frustrated than before.
What does all this have to do with the verse "There is no peace for the wicked." Am I saying I am wicked? Is that why all this happened to me?
Whether we like it or not, peace is important to us. Turmoil brings confusion, panic, wrong choices. Peace means I can go through a situation and it doesn't matter what happens, I can rest in it. I am not at battle with the world around me. But this peace starts with being at peace with God.
Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace."
By trusting the LORD Jesus as my Saviour, I can have peace. But it has to start there. Nothing on my own can bring peace into my life. I can never be strong enough, or smart enough to have peace in everything. Only in Jesus Christ can I know true peace.
That's where being at peace with God starts. But having the peace of God - well that's letting Him RULE in my heart.
I'm very good at have a daily quiet time - spending time with God, reading His Word, reading devotional books. BUT my tendency is to do these all on a daily basis, but then go on my own way. To walk with Him moment by moment - that's a different story. When the clerk told me it had been refused for the second time. I didn't call out to God. I didn't even think of Him. My only thoughts were, "HOW EMBARRASSING! The clerk knows it's been declined and so does the person behind me as well as my own son!" My thoughts were NOT, "God has allowed this into my life for a reason and I must trust Him!"
Am I a wicked person? Yes, I am. And it comes through at times that I would rather it not. The thing is I forget that I am. BUT I have been redeemed. I don't have to live that way. But it's learning to live moment by moment, second by second, relying on the LORD and His strength, not my own.
When I first started writing today, I thought this was going to be about the wicked of the earth, those without Christ. But as I wrote, God showed me that my walking without Him, means there is no peace for me. I need to walk with Him moment by moment. That's the only way I can have true peace continuously.
Says my God, “for the wicked."
I came across this verse in my reading for yesterday. In this chapter God talks about the way He is dealing with Israel. God talks about the sinner whom He will restore and care for. But the chapter ends with the verse above. There is NO peace for the wicked.
No Peace. No peace with God. No peace of God. No peace at all.
Yesterday had begun to be a good day. My son and I were headed home from his audition at a conservatory. We were talking, had a good lunch at Arby's and had one more stop before we headed for home. I needed to stop and get our monthly groceries at Walmart.
It was 3:00 in the afternoon. We got all of our shopping done in 50 minutes. I was excited! We would make it home in time for dinner. Everything was going as planned until the check-out lane. My Visa card was declined - TWICE! I had just used it for lunch. There was no reason this should happen. I panicked. I used a different card, but was confused, frustrated, hurt, embarrassed. This should not have happened.
So we needed gas - same thing again. WHAT IS GOING ON? But instead of turning to the LORD and resting in Him, my anger started, and kept on building. By the time I got home I was furious with the bank. HOW DARE THEY! I hadn't planned on telling on my husband until later because he was speaking and I didn't want to trouble him. But I had gotten so worked up that it was the first thing that poured out of my mouth when I saw him.
I called the bank to find out the problem and they said they couldn't talk to me until I told them my phone password. For the life of me I can't even remember setting up a phone password. They told me my card had fraudulent activity on it. But they could disclose no more details without the password. So I hung up on them, angry and more frustrated than before.
What does all this have to do with the verse "There is no peace for the wicked." Am I saying I am wicked? Is that why all this happened to me?
Whether we like it or not, peace is important to us. Turmoil brings confusion, panic, wrong choices. Peace means I can go through a situation and it doesn't matter what happens, I can rest in it. I am not at battle with the world around me. But this peace starts with being at peace with God.
Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace."
By trusting the LORD Jesus as my Saviour, I can have peace. But it has to start there. Nothing on my own can bring peace into my life. I can never be strong enough, or smart enough to have peace in everything. Only in Jesus Christ can I know true peace.
That's where being at peace with God starts. But having the peace of God - well that's letting Him RULE in my heart.
I'm very good at have a daily quiet time - spending time with God, reading His Word, reading devotional books. BUT my tendency is to do these all on a daily basis, but then go on my own way. To walk with Him moment by moment - that's a different story. When the clerk told me it had been refused for the second time. I didn't call out to God. I didn't even think of Him. My only thoughts were, "HOW EMBARRASSING! The clerk knows it's been declined and so does the person behind me as well as my own son!" My thoughts were NOT, "God has allowed this into my life for a reason and I must trust Him!"
Am I a wicked person? Yes, I am. And it comes through at times that I would rather it not. The thing is I forget that I am. BUT I have been redeemed. I don't have to live that way. But it's learning to live moment by moment, second by second, relying on the LORD and His strength, not my own.
When I first started writing today, I thought this was going to be about the wicked of the earth, those without Christ. But as I wrote, God showed me that my walking without Him, means there is no peace for me. I need to walk with Him moment by moment. That's the only way I can have true peace continuously.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Control
Last night and this morning, I have been struggling with my body, getting very frustrated. Let's be honest here. I'm overweight. I don't follow the exercises my chiropractor has given me for my back. I struggle to exercise on a daily basis so as to keep healthy. And my body is giving me problems that I think I shouldn't be having.
So my first thought this morning was, "I need to get in control!" And then it hit me - nope! To take charge would be the obvious answer. That's the wrong answer. I need to give up control.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all
these hings shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
The LORD is so gracious and though I couldn't put my finger on it, this was the idea He was hinting at to me. I need to seek His kingdom and His righteousness first. When Matthew wrote these words, he was talking about being not concerned with what you eat, or your body what you will put on. (Matt 6:25) But I believe the principle still applies.
Now I know there's some things I cannot control with my FM. BUT there are ways that I can keep my self from adding to it - diet and stress. These are big factors with my FM and I know that I think I can keep these in control. My problem is I don't talk to God about these factors. I figure I can manage these. WRONG!
As I was contemplating writing this, I opened my emails and there was my devotional from Jim & Elizabeth George. The title of this devotional is: Finding Strength in Weakness. (Who says things are coincidences? Not me.) She talked about the passage in 2 Corinthians 12 where Paul had been given a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble. He prayed 3 times for God to take it away, but God's answer was no. His grace was sufficient for Paul. When Paul realized this, he could then write, "Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest on me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, FOR CHRIST'S SAKE. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:9-10 emphasis mine).
It is all for His sake and glory that I go through my life. Do I bring things on myself? Of course, but He allows this to happen so that I might bring Him glory.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love
God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom
He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His
Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
(Romans 8:28-29)
He wants us to be conformed to the image of His Son so that we might bring Him glory. Do I believe it? Absolutely! Do I remember it and act accordingly? Very rarely.
One other verse that came to mind this morning is 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Who
is in you, Whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you
were both at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your
spirit which are God's.
I do not own this body; it is NOT mine. It is the temple of God and as such He has granted me permission to care for it. If I truly seek Him and His glory, there will be problems, but they won't be uncontrollable because He will be the One controlling. If I can get a grip on all of this, most of the battle will be won.
So my first thought this morning was, "I need to get in control!" And then it hit me - nope! To take charge would be the obvious answer. That's the wrong answer. I need to give up control.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all
these hings shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
The LORD is so gracious and though I couldn't put my finger on it, this was the idea He was hinting at to me. I need to seek His kingdom and His righteousness first. When Matthew wrote these words, he was talking about being not concerned with what you eat, or your body what you will put on. (Matt 6:25) But I believe the principle still applies.
Now I know there's some things I cannot control with my FM. BUT there are ways that I can keep my self from adding to it - diet and stress. These are big factors with my FM and I know that I think I can keep these in control. My problem is I don't talk to God about these factors. I figure I can manage these. WRONG!
As I was contemplating writing this, I opened my emails and there was my devotional from Jim & Elizabeth George. The title of this devotional is: Finding Strength in Weakness. (Who says things are coincidences? Not me.) She talked about the passage in 2 Corinthians 12 where Paul had been given a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble. He prayed 3 times for God to take it away, but God's answer was no. His grace was sufficient for Paul. When Paul realized this, he could then write, "Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest on me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, FOR CHRIST'S SAKE. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:9-10 emphasis mine).
It is all for His sake and glory that I go through my life. Do I bring things on myself? Of course, but He allows this to happen so that I might bring Him glory.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love
God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom
He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His
Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
(Romans 8:28-29)
He wants us to be conformed to the image of His Son so that we might bring Him glory. Do I believe it? Absolutely! Do I remember it and act accordingly? Very rarely.
One other verse that came to mind this morning is 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Who
is in you, Whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you
were both at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your
spirit which are God's.
I do not own this body; it is NOT mine. It is the temple of God and as such He has granted me permission to care for it. If I truly seek Him and His glory, there will be problems, but they won't be uncontrollable because He will be the One controlling. If I can get a grip on all of this, most of the battle will be won.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Scary
This morning I was reading in Hosea, the last four chapters. I came across this verse:
Ephraim provoked Him to anger most bitterly;
Therefore his LORD will leave the guilt of his bloodshed upon him,
And return his reproach upon him.
(emphasis mine) What a terrifying statement. "His LORD will leave the guilt of his bloodshed upon him."
I struggle as I write this because I'm not sure what I'm trying to get at, I know I'm forgiven because of the grace and mercy of our LORD Jesus Christ because of His dying on the cross and taking my place. Yet I need to see God wholly, for Who He is.
Israel had been chosen by God to be His special people. BUT Israel had chosen to turn away from Him and worship false gods. As I look closer at the verse, I notice the first part now. God was provoked to anger. Why? Because He had been replaced with a golden calf. Jeroboam decided to have it built because he didn't want the people who were following him to go back to Jerusalem to worship because then they might follow Rehoboam.
God had promised Jeroboam that if he followed God, God would bless him - God would be with him, and He would build him a sure house (they would be kings from then on) and God would give him Israel! But Jeroboam couldn't risk it. Even after seeing all the ways that God had blessed Solomon, he couldn't trust Him. So he built his own god and the people he led, followed after him.
When we choose to take the Real God out of our lives, the choices we make reflect it. So do the consequences. Israel wanted to do their own "thing." It led them to do everything that was against God. God let them; but they would suffer for it. Their consequence: For God to leave the guilt upon them... wow!
Guilt is a thing that can kill. It torments and eats at us. We cannot run away from it because it comes from within. There's ways of trying to mask it, but it is still always there.
"Confession is good for the soul." AMEN!!! It surely is! To get right with God and confess that whatever I did that was against God was wrong and to ask His forgiveness through the LORD Jesus, is the only way to be rid of the sin and that guilt.
I am thankful that God has forgiven me through the blood of Jesus Christ. But I am reminded this morning that I serve a Holy God. It cost Him a great deal for my forgiveness. And even though I am forgiven, sometimes the guilt of what I've done takes longer to go away. Thankfully, He does take it away because of His Son and not because of anything I do. I am so thankful He has not left the guilt on me.
Ephraim provoked Him to anger most bitterly;
Therefore his LORD will leave the guilt of his bloodshed upon him,
And return his reproach upon him.
(emphasis mine) What a terrifying statement. "His LORD will leave the guilt of his bloodshed upon him."
I struggle as I write this because I'm not sure what I'm trying to get at, I know I'm forgiven because of the grace and mercy of our LORD Jesus Christ because of His dying on the cross and taking my place. Yet I need to see God wholly, for Who He is.
Israel had been chosen by God to be His special people. BUT Israel had chosen to turn away from Him and worship false gods. As I look closer at the verse, I notice the first part now. God was provoked to anger. Why? Because He had been replaced with a golden calf. Jeroboam decided to have it built because he didn't want the people who were following him to go back to Jerusalem to worship because then they might follow Rehoboam.
God had promised Jeroboam that if he followed God, God would bless him - God would be with him, and He would build him a sure house (they would be kings from then on) and God would give him Israel! But Jeroboam couldn't risk it. Even after seeing all the ways that God had blessed Solomon, he couldn't trust Him. So he built his own god and the people he led, followed after him.
When we choose to take the Real God out of our lives, the choices we make reflect it. So do the consequences. Israel wanted to do their own "thing." It led them to do everything that was against God. God let them; but they would suffer for it. Their consequence: For God to leave the guilt upon them... wow!
Guilt is a thing that can kill. It torments and eats at us. We cannot run away from it because it comes from within. There's ways of trying to mask it, but it is still always there.
"Confession is good for the soul." AMEN!!! It surely is! To get right with God and confess that whatever I did that was against God was wrong and to ask His forgiveness through the LORD Jesus, is the only way to be rid of the sin and that guilt.
I am thankful that God has forgiven me through the blood of Jesus Christ. But I am reminded this morning that I serve a Holy God. It cost Him a great deal for my forgiveness. And even though I am forgiven, sometimes the guilt of what I've done takes longer to go away. Thankfully, He does take it away because of His Son and not because of anything I do. I am so thankful He has not left the guilt on me.
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