Monday, July 2, 2012

July 2-8


Monday: Genesis 26
Tuesday: Ruth 1
Wednesday: Psalm 51
Thursday: Isaiah 55
Friday: Zechariah 6
Saturday: Acts 19
Sunday Philemon 1

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Gen 26. Watching Isaac follow in his father's misguided footsteps (with the whole fear/denial thing related to his wife) is sobering.

"Parents help shape the world's future by the way they shape their children's values. The first step toward helping children live right is for the parents to live right. Your actions are often copied by those closest to you. What kind of example are you setting for your children?"

Ouch. I know for a fact I need to set a better example of patience under fire and meekness and gentleness. Not by might, but by the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in me as I recognize and willingly surrender to the person He desires to shape me into. It doesn't mean I don't need to apply myself, but I can't do it on my own strength alone. I've tried.

Lois said...

I liked what the LAB said in the introduction to the book of Ruth: "Not much is said about Naomi excpet that she loved and cared for Ruth. Obviously, Naomi's life was a powerful witness to the reality of God. Ruth was drawn to her -- and to the God she worshiped". This is my prayer -- that somehow, some way, despite all my mistakes and shortcomings, God can use my life like that.

Denise said...

Ruth 1
“Naomi had experienced severe hardships. She had left Israel married and secure; she returned widowed and poor. Naomi changed her name to express the bitterness and pain she felt. Naomi was not rejecting God by openly expressing her pain. However, it seems she lost sight of the tremendous resources she had in her relationship with Ruth and with God. When you face bitter times, God welcomes your honest prayers, but be careful not to overlook the love, strength, and resources that he provides in your present relationships. And don’t allow bitterness and disappointment to blind you to your opportunities.”

Unknown said...

So, just a note from me.... since the sermon on Sunday I have been challenged and convicted about how I approach my quiet time. Instead of just reading the chapter and seeking to understand how it might apply to me I have been trying to enter into real inward reflection, confession and seek to see how I need to be tranformed and washed by the word. I have realized that sometimes in the mere focusing on one chapter, or what I can see there, I am fudging over many things that are right in front of my eyes that I know I am should be doing and am not. It's like I check off this "quiet time" discipline off my list but then walk away from the mirror and am not REALLY seeing all the things that need to change. I know I can't change everything at once, but I don't want to just glance in the mirror, give a quick brush of my hair, smile and walk away. I have some serious spiritual beauty treatments in order.

Unknown said...

Isaiah 55:11 "It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it."

Amen. Thank you for your purifying, life giving, power to change, Word, oh Lord!

Unknown said...

thoughts from the notes in my Life Application Bible: Zechariah instructed the chosen people to leave Babylon quickly. "This was an urgent request because Babylon would be destroyed and its decadent culture would cause God's people to forget their spiritual priorities."

decadence, crowding out of God, spiritual priorities. Good catch words for our culture/generation. May I not let the decadent pleasures of my culture crowd worship, meditation, repentance and growth out of my life.