Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Aug 15-21

Monday: Joshua 4
Tuesday: 2 Chronicles 11
Wednesday: Psalm 5
Thursday: Isaiah 9
Friday: Hosea 9
Saturday: Luke 17
Sunday: 2 Corinthians 8

12 comments:

Unknown said...

I love this picture of the rocks being taken up from the Jordan, testaments of what God had done, a visual reminder that would spark curiosity in the generations to come. It made me think of the Steve Bell song "here by the water"

"Here by the water
I'll build an altar to praise Him
out of the stones that I've found here
I'll lay them down here
rough as they are
knowing you make them holy"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oef8KFUarY8&feature=related

(steve bell is coming to do the special music for missions conference next year!!!!! so pumped!!!!)

okay, back to the stones. I was thinking how I could incorporate something like this into my life. I was thinking it would be so neat every time God does some amazing work in my life to take a stone, put it in a "special" location and then have a journal somewhere telling the story of what God had done for me, maybe with a bible verse that really applies to what took place.

If it was something He did not only for me, but for my family or in our marriage, or for a friend, I could have those people add rocks too. Maybe make a little pond with a fountain or something with all these rocks in the water being added over time. Wouldn't that be so cool? A visual reminder of God's goodness and work in our lives. I love it.

Berry Girl said...

I love that too - it makes me think how important it is that we not only remember, but that we tell our kids about it too.
In my extended family, my grandparents went through some extreme experiences which made them iron clad in their faith, and yet I have Uncles and Aunts whose faith is mediocre, and cousins who are more washed out than their parents, and I have to wonder if it's because my grandparents never talked about their experiences - either because they were too painful or too private or whatever.

The more I think about it the more important it seems to me. That's one (of many) things that I love about Berry Guy - he started a prayer journal, where he has been writing things we have been asking God for, and answers that we have received. He's got a nice little record there of some of the bigger things that God has done for us or for people close to us, even when it was something we hadn't asked for. Love that.

Unknown said...

Psalm 5:12 "You protect them like a soldier's shield."

Oooooh. I love that.

Denise said...

So, this psalm was incredibly meaningful to me today. I just talked to PC about needing to be in contact with God and how I need to put Him first in order to tackle the busyness of my life. The theme of Psalm 5 is deliverance in trouble. And I love my bible comments for the first three verses:

"The secret of a close relationship with God is to pray to him earnestly EACH MORNING. In the morning, our minds are more free from problems, and then we can commit the whole day to God. Regular communication helps any friendship and is certainly necessary for a strong relationship with God. We need to communicate with him daily."

So, morning it is! I think I need to put a little reminder up in my bathroom -- baby steps. Here I come Lord, I need you!

Unknown said...

Aw, I LOVE that! LOOK how God spoke to you. So blessed. Love you.

Unknown said...

"The Lord all powerful will do this because of His strong love for His people." Isaiah 8:7

That whole prophecy right before that just gave me goosebumps this morning. I have read is so many times. We read it every Christmas when we hang the silver sceptres on our tree to represent the Ruler aspect of Christ's relationship to us, but today, just being reminded how this was written centuries before that birth, it just made me marvel at the great lengths God has gone to to communicate to His people. The words of Revelation, where Jesus says "Blessed is He who reads and understands these words" is so true. When we take time to read and seek to understand God's words to us we are blessed because we come to see the depth of the love the Father has for us.

Denise said...

Well, I didn’t get here this morning but I still made it! Yahoo!

Isaiah 9:1 “In our gloom and despair, we fear that our sorrows and troubles will never end. But we can take comfort in this certainty: Although the Lord may not always spare us from troubles, if we follow him wholeheartedly, he will lead us safely through them.”

Isaiah 9:8-10 “Pride made Israel think it would recover and rebuild in its own strength. Even though God made the people of Israel a nation and gave them the land they occupied, they put their trust in themselves rather than in him. Too often we take pride in our accomplishments, forgetting that it is God who has given us our resources and abilities. We may even become proud of our unique status as Christians. God is not pleased with ANY pride or trust in ourselves because it cuts off our contact with him.”

So often I have come to the Lord for help from my troubles and I really do know that he will lead me safely through them. I tend to fall away from God when things are going really well or I am really busy. I find it interesting that God has loaded me up with some really great opportunities for work and family vacations – I came to the realization that I CAN do it all but ONLY if I rely on the Lord. He has given me the gifts and the opportunities and the realization that I STILL need to rely on him even through all of the good times!

Denise said...

Love you too PC!!!!

Unknown said...

So glad you made time in your day to rest in Him, whatever time it was :)

This chapter in Hosea was so sad. How often do I pursue fulfillment in other venues when I am called to find my fulfillment in Him. When I am fulfilled in Him, I can count it all joy but when I chase after fulfillment where the world says I will find it, I am always left wanting more.

Unknown said...

Luke 17

Forgiveness, Faith, Humility, Gratitude, Incarnational Living, Expectation.

As I read each subjection of this chapter this morning I realized that they were each addressing an individual and fundamental element of Christ centered living. They are not just words. They are a lifestyle. Many of these words have been the weekly topics in my summer women's bible study group and have really impacted my life. I have so much to learn about Christ centered and Christ modeled living!

Denise said...

Luke 17:5-6: The disciples’ request was genuine; they wanted the faith necessary for such a radical forgiveness. But Jesus didn’t directly answer their question because the amount of faith is not as important as it genuineness. What is faith? It is complete trust and loyalty to God that results in a willingness to do his will. Faith is not something we use to put on a show for others. It is complete and humble obedience to God’s will, readiness to do whatever he calls us to do. The amount of faith isn’t as important as the right kind of faith – faith in our all-powerful God.

Luke 17: 6: A mustard seed is small, but it is alive and growing. Almost invisible at first, the seed will begin to spread, first under the ground and then visibly. Like a tiny seed, a small amount of genuine faith in God will take root and grow. Although each change will be gradual and imperceptible, soon this faith will have produced major results that will uproot and destroy competing loyalties. We don’t need more faith; a tiny seed of faith is enough if it is alive and growing.

Unknown said...

2 Cor 8:5 "They first gave themselves to the Lord and to us. This is what God wants."

"I want to see if your love is true..." v8

"Then your doing will be equal to your 'wanting to do'. v11

"Give from what you have." v11

True love will show itself in action. Love can not be only a sentiment and goodwill. True love will lay down its own life (agenda) for a loved one. I had to smile when I read all this. Just yesterday I was asking myself how I could help a friend in need and I found a way that worked for me. Take her kids for the day and cook them a meal so that they can face what they need to face. Love will find a way!