|
SubscriptionsSites I Read
|
|
|
|
| LOVE used to be an ideal image.
I DID gain the right image of love--Jesus on the cross for God so loved the world--since that precious moment years ago.
Yet, as years go by and painful mistake after another, I'm comforted and relieved by this undeniable, soul warming wave of LOVE.
Pictures and stories don't do LOVE a justice.
When the cause had been Jesus and the result is grateful happiness in the eyes of those around me,
I am most content in my soul to be loving and be loved.
| | |
| "...Then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant..." (Leviticus 26:41-42).
"Now the people complained about their hardship in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused" (Num. 11:1).
"Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Utterly abhor and detest it, for it is set apart for destruction (Deu. 7:26).
"You must not worship the Lord your God in their way (Deu. 12:4).
"When such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself and therefore thinks, 'I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way.' This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry" (Deu. 29:19) | | |
| Praise God! There is NO ONE like Him.
Obedience to God is the most liberating, soul satisfying, hope and peace restoring, joyous act of faith.
Isn't it amazing how God almighty speaks to His people?
Isn't it beyond comprehension that He brings His people to that most perfect place of obedience?
He, then, is pleased and eager to bless you for your obedience that He himself brought about!
After I've said yes to God, my next response was what about after I obey you, God? What then?
He reassured me, obedience now and obedience after.
The goodness and mercy of our God I want to praise the rest of my life and even that is not enough.
How He carries those who obey!
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff they comfort me."
There are such clear, undeniable distinction between living in the flesh and living in the spirit.
If I don't live in the spirit, I am living in the flesh.
People seem to HAVE SO MUCH to offer God. Yet, most often, they are not what God desires.
Besides, they are still in the hands of the people so confident of what they are able to do.
All we need is God and victory is our. | | |
| It seems we make of God what WE will..., too bad, when all is said and done, in our own eyes we come out more sound and full of reason. At our Bible study recently, we went over the account of Achan's gruesome punishment. We spoke out about the seemingly excessive use of cruelty and questioned the rather harsh means of punishment. Our conversation somehow led to the talk about that "crazy" woman on Youtube. Later, I got to see the clip and found her interview somewhat funny. It is definitely a cult, her claims, but I hesitate to label her "crazy" and side with the anchors and many others who do refer to her as that "crazy woman." She IS right on some accounts about the nature of sin being detestable before God. She simply doesn't seem to know God. Anyhow, all these led up to my reading in Numbers 12. "Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman" he married. "Suddenly the Lord said to Moses and Aaron and to Miriam, 'You three come out to the tent of meeting (commonly heard from parents by the way).'" God says to them, "Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses?" As a result, Miriam is leprous. "Then, Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, 'O God, heal her, I pray!'" "But the Lord (in verse 14) said to Moses, 'If her father had but spit in her face, would she not bear her shame for seven days? let her be shut up for seven days outside the camp, and afterward she may be received again.'" That cleared everything for me. I mean this is our God. God is reason--even when we don't see it. He makes perfect sense--all the time. Granted that "all the time" takes faith some times. Besides, what was Moses thinking? Oh I bet he was sorry for what aspired out of his choice. Yet, to His credit, God remains faithful. No doubt, Moses felt responsible. It's never easy to observe someone act or speak inappropriately--especially when you know that you are partly responsible somehow, in some way. Yet, again, what's with Moses' plea? Shouldn't he be confessing and repenting? It is between Moses and God. Moses feels the need to plead for Miriam who is being punished for speaking out against Moses for doing what he told the people not to do. Leprosy was a curse. My kids often argue against their punishments: "What?" "All that!" "Do I have to." God's response to Moses makes perfect sense. God is right--always. Negative consequences and punishments are never a joy to our soul. However, may God help me to know my sins that I may know His mercy and grace. What grace and mercy that Miriam was received back. What grace and mercy that God abides in us. What grace and mercy that Achan had a chance to confess his sins (Ananias and Sapphira never did). What grace and mercy that God is just AND love! | | |
| "Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight" (Ex 33:13).
“The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations” (Ex 34:6b-7).
Our God is truly compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and truth!!! My life is a true testament of this--His awesome nature. He has been and continues to be so good to me. Just this morning, Moses' prayer became my prayer. I HAVE found favor in His sight. He HAS shown me His ways--again and again and again.... How He wants me to keep praying. How He never gives up. How He delights in my obedience--how truly amazing that He is mindful of me. His way that He has been letting me know has been for me to just keep praying "that I may know" Him, "so that I may find favor in His sight." All I could say to God is "Have your way with me." How fortunate that His love for His people is never proportional to what we might bring before Him. We are always receiving so much more than what we might deserve.
We were quite blessed as a family to have lunch today with a couple we dearly respect and love. Their humility and openness encouraged and comforted us. Through the grace of God, we have found favor with them. I pray God will bless them a thousand-fold.
Then, we ran into some old friends. It was so good seeing them before the year was over, but I can't wait to see the people in our present life tonight and throughout the new year. I am excited for God's love for them. I am overwhelmed with His amazing love for them--every single one of them. Great Harvest Church is a body of truly beautiful and awesome people of God. I pray God will make known His compassion, grace, lovingkindness and truth to our people and all those that step into our church throughout the new year. I pray God will raise for Himself His body worthy of His goodness and honor and glory. God bless His people to find favor in His sight.
| | |
|
