November 14, 2009

It's Saturday, Girls. While you're out doing things, hopefully with your family, don't forget the Lord and His goodness!

Today in Joshua 6, God gave Joshua very specific instructions, Joshua and the people followed them to the letter, and it worked! The walls of Jericho fell down and they took the city. "Took the city" actually sounds very tame and civilized. What they really did is rushed into the city through the fallen walls and slaughtered everything that breathed, with the exception of Rahab and the people in her house. Anything made of precious metal went to the Lord's tabernacle, and everything else was burned. It was a good thing Rahab had faith in God, or she and her family would have been killed too.

In Psalm 13, David was feeling like the Lord had forsaken him, but at the end of the psalm we find that he was still trusting in the Lord. A good lesson for us.

In Psalm 14, David was lamenting over all the fools that were in his land. We certainly have a lot of fools in our land today! Read this chapter for a good description.

Psalm 15 was more uplifting. This is a picture of who will actually get to live with God in His kingdom. This tells us exactly what we should be doing if we want God to be pleased with us.

Proverbs 14 is another treasure-trove of goodies. There are several verses in there about holding our tempers. Read it and see what else you find!

November 13, 2009

Very interesting reading today, Ladies! By the way, did you know that in this blog, wherever you see a scripture reference that looks highlighted, it's actually a link? You can click it, and you will be redirected to Biblegateway.com where you can read that reference. It's pretty handy if you want to read but don't have a Bible with you.

Pretty painful stuff happening today in Joshua 5. Joshua and the Israelites are in Canaan now; the surrounding kings have heard about the river crossing and are afraid to mess with them, because they have God with them. Not just a god, but THE REAL, LIVING GOD. Now it's time to catch up on things, and all the men and boys have to be circumcised. Clear back to Abraham, this was God's way of separating his people unto Himself, and showing them to be different from everyone else. While they were wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years, all the circumcised men died off, and the people born during that time weren't circumcised. They got that done, and were all staying around the camp healing up.
At the end of the chapter, Joshua sees a man with a sword coming, so he goes out and asks if he's friend or foe. He's an angel, the Captain of the Lord's Host! Can you imagine? He must have been awe inspiring. Definitely not the sweet little angel depicted in the painting of the kids on the bridge with their guardian angel! Joshua, tough old warrior that he was, dropped to his knees and called himself a servant.

Psalms 10, Psalm 11, and Psalm 12 were short today. They give a good description of evil people and offer a prayer for deliverance from the wicked. We can see how the deeds of the wicked haven't changed much over the centuries.

Notice this in Psalm 11:5 - The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

Does it say, His soul hateth violence? No. It doesn't. Look at that verse carefully. It says, "The wicked and him...", the Lord's soul hateth. Those are people, not just acts. Don't let anybody tell you the Lord loves everybody in the whole world. There are more references than this one that prove that there are actual PEOPLE that God hates.

Proverbs 13 is a wealth of good instruction. In verses 2 & 3 we see more about watching our mouth. Verse 4 has an admonition against lying. Verses 7 & 8 talk about how rich people can have all those things, but still have nothing. Verses 13 & 14 tell us why we should love God's word. And much more! Read it and see what you find.

* If you want to read a good book with some awesome warrior angels, and a great depiction of the spiritual warfare that goes on around us all the time, read This Present Darkness, by Frank Peretti.

November 12, 2009

I got caught up in stuff yesterday and did not do my reading. Shame on me! Back on track today!

Starting out in Joshua 3 & 4. What a great account! The Lord tells Joshua that He is going to start magnifying him, so the people will know God is with him, like they knew about Moses. Good thing for Joshua! What a job to lead such a large unruly group of people!
They have finally reached their destination: the land of Canaan. They have to cross the Jordan river, though, to get in, and the river is in its annual flood stage. God tells Joshua to have the priests carry the Ark of the Covenant into the river. When they do, the water splits, and all the water coming from upstream piles up in a heap! The priests stand in the middle on dry ground until all the people pass over, then the priests come out of the river, and as soon as they are out of reach, Whoosh, the river goes back to normal! Praise God! I love this story because scientists have gone to so much effort to say that when Moses led the people across the Red Sea the water didn't split and pile up like they show in the movie The Ten Commandments. They say it was really the Reed Sea and Pharaoh's army just got stuck in a lot of mud! Well, they can't disprove this one in Joshua, because it says plain as day that the water stood up in a heap! Take that, scientists!
After that they set up a memorial. Why? Chapter 4, verse 24: That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.

In Psalm 7, David talks about how wicked his enemies are, but how God will protect him.

Psalm 8 is a psalm of praise, showing how the wonders of Creation all glorify their Maker.

Psalm 9 is another psalm of praise, showing God's strength and His mercy.

Proverbs 11 is full of good advice. Verses 12, 13, 16, 19, and 22 stand out to me, particularly today.

In Proverbs 12, we see more exhortation about our speech, and also some warnings about laziness (among plenty of other good stuff!)

Thank you for reading with me today! I hope the Lord blesses you greatly.

November 10, 2009

Good reading today, Ladies! I started in Joshua 2, where Joshua sent out the spies to scope out Jericho. They were found out and hid at Rahab's house. She helped them escape but the most important part is why she did it. She believed that our God is the only true God. We'll see the results of that when we get to chapter 6!

The Psalms were good today, too. Psalm 4 told me to be still, to be at peace, and trust in my God. Psalm 5 showed me God's treatment of the righteous contrasted with His treatment of the wicked. Psalm 6 reminded me of His mercies.

In Proverbs 10, I noticed many lessons pertaining to our speech. How the speech, the words, and the tongue of the righteous and the just differ from those of the wicked and the foolish. Good instruction for anyone, anytime!

I hope you will read with me. Feel free to post comments sharing what the Lord shows you in your reading.

November 9, 2009

This morning I read Joshua 1, where the Lord reminded me that we are to be courageous, because we have Him looking out for us.

Then I read Psalm 1, 2 & 3 where the Lord reminded me that if we serve Him faithfully, He'll make sure we have everything we need. He also reminded me that He is our defender and also what He'll do to our enemies.

I finished up with Proverbs 9, which talks about dealing with scorners and also about foolish, adulterous women.

Very interesting reading today. It's nice how the Lord gives us what we need, just when we need it, and continuously teaches us.

Obedience

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. I Samuel 15:22

Have you ever heard someone say, "It's easier to get forgiveness than permission"? Not so, with the Lord. He wants us to do what He tells us, rather than disobeying and asking for forgiveness later.

All through the Bible, you will see instructions to obey the Lord, to obey His commandments, laws, precepts, etc. Even Jesus learned to obey.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Hebrews 5:8

When we were children, we thought becoming adults would allow us to be independent; we would be able to do anything we want, and wouldn't have to let anyone tell us what to do. Little did we know that, even as adults we would still have people to obey. It goes without saying that, regardless of age, we still have to obey God. Obeying Him involves obeying some humans too. Let's see who they are.

If you are a married lady, the first person you are supposed to obey is your husband. Look at Titus 2:3-5 in the banner at the top of this page. You can re-write your wedding vows if you like, to purposely leave out the word obey, but if you are a Christian you still have to do it.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Ephesians 5:22-24


For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. I Peter 3:5-6

Think this is too hard? It's really not. It sounds quite difficult, but if you take the time to choose wisely when selecting a husband, and if you both love each other and love the Lord, it's not all that hard -- most of the time.

We also need to obey our pastor, when he is giving us direction from the Lord and instruction in how to serve the Lord more acceptably.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17

If you are employed and wish to stay that way, you will definitely need to obey your boss. The Bible refers to the employer/employee relationship in the terms of master/servant.

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: Colossians 3:22

In other words, obey your boss, but not for the purpose of 'kissing up'. We obey because we're working for that boss as if we're working for the Lord.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Colossians 3:23

We need to obey the laws of our land, and the people whose job it is to enforce them.

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. I Peter 2:13-14

There are times when we're not required to be obedient. For instance, if your employer is telling you to do something illegal or immoral, you should definitely disobey. Anyone telling you to disobey one of God's laws should be disobeyed.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29

Sometimes, people will take the scriptures out of context, and try to make you think you are required to obey them, even if you're not. I have been acquainted with men in the church who were of the opinion that all the ladies of the church were supposed to obey them, simply because they were men. Do you find any scripture in the Bible that says, "Women, obey men because they say so"? I don't.

I have to obey 1) God, 2) my husband, because God has made him my head, 3) my pastor, because he has to watch for my soul, 4) my boss, because I work for him as for the Lord, 5) the laws and those who enforce them, because I have to be an example to unbelievers, and often those laws are for my own protection.

Do you want to know what the best part is about following these plans that God has set out? When we do it, it works. Things go better and the Lord blesses our efforts.

My Favorite Chapter

I imagine everyone has a favorite chapter or favorite scripture passage. Mine is Isaiah 54. This chapter is comforting to me; it overwhelms me and brings me to tears, to realize the tenderness and compassion the Creator of the Universe has for each of us individually. Our God truly is Great!

1 ¶ Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.
2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
6 ¶ For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
11 ¶ O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
15 Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

John 15:1-5

Hi, Girls! It's almost Spring, and I am so ready! Time to start on the garden. Have you ever noticed how many times in the Bible the Lord refers to us in some way as plants? Sometimes Jesus referred to Himself as a vine. Sometimes we are referred to as fig trees. And like trees, we are to bring forth fruit. In Psalms, a good wife is likened to a fruitful vine, and her children to olive plants. (Psalm 128:3)

I feel the need to get back to memorizing scripture, and thought you might like to join me. So, in keeping with my favorite time of year, the time of planting, I'd like to start with some of the passages where the Lord spoke in terms of plants. He speaks to my inner farmer. :)

I'll post a passage each week that I'll be working on, and hopefully you will join me. If you have a favorite you'd like to share, post a comment, and I'll add it to the list.

For this week, we'll start with John 15:1-5, where Jesus is explaining that He is the vine and his people are branches on that vine. The Father (God) wants us to bear fruit, but we can't do it without Jesus. Have you ever cut a limb off a tree and seen it bear fruit all by itself? No way!

John 15:1-5
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Happy Memorizing!
PS - If there is something you do to help you memorize, let us know! Writing the verses out works best for me.

Righteousness

Have you ever heard someone say, "There is none righteous, no not one"? People like to use that verse to justify their sinful ways. It is actually part of a verse, Romans 3:10, and if you read the entire passage, verses 1 through 18, you will see that Paul is speaking of people without Christ in their lives. He was referring to the Jews of his day, who rejected Christ but followed the Law.

I have heard people say, though, that we can't be righteous, and they cite Romans 3:10. It's unfortunate, because the Lord God has given many promises to those who are righteous, and by clinging to their beliefs, these people exclude themselves from those promises.

First of all, what does righteous mean? My dictionary says, "Behaving in a morally upright way; virtuous". We could sum this up by saying "doing the right thing".

When we try to be righteous just by doing good works, without having Jesus clean us up on the inside this is what happens:

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6

Before Jesus came, people were righteous by following God's laws and commandments, and believing that He was the One True God. Jesus came and fulfilled the Law of God and became the one final sacrifice for our sin.

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Romans 10:4

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:11

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. I Peter 2:24

Now we are righteous by believing that Christ is the only begotten Son of God, that He died and rose again to take away our sin, and by keeping God's commandments and not committing sin. If we do slip up and sin, we repent, get forgiveness, and try by the grace of God not to repeat it. People who say it is impossible for us to be righteous should beware.

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he [Jesus] is righteous. I John 3:7

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. I John 3:10

Look at some of the wonderful things God has promised to those who follow after righteousness:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 (What things? The things you need!)

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. Proverbs 21:21

The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after
righteousness. Proverbs 15:9

Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. Psalm 106:3

There are many more, but we don't have room for them all! Don't let anyone fool you into thinking that you cannot be righteous in the sight of God. Yes, you can! Not by yourself (remember the filthy rags) but through Jesus Christ! If you've repented of sin and Christ Jesus is living in you, and you are continuing to walk in His ways, God sees His righteousness in you. God will give you the things you need and the things you long for (according to His will of course). He will love you and will bless you. There is nothing better.