Numbers 30:1-31:54 + Luke 4:1-30 + Psalm 63:1-11 + Proverbs 11:20-21
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Old Testament – Today in Numbers chapter 30 we read about the various complexities of vows, particularly related to women making vows. (and how their fathers or husbands can void them on day 1, etc.) Apparently the Jewish system and tradition of vows and what counts and didn’t count got even more complex over the years between this chapter in Numbers and when Jesus was born. I love that in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus simplifies the whole complex system of vows! Check out Matthew chapter 5 verses 33 through 37 where Jesus says: ““You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.” Let’s let our yes simply mean yes and our no’s simply mean no’s!
Below is an image for Numbers chapter 31 verses 11 & 12: “After they had gathered the plunder and captives, both people and animals, they brought them all to Moses and Eleazar the priest, and to the whole community of Israel, which was camped on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River, across from Jericho.”
New Testament – Today we read about the temptation of Jesus. This is a powerful narrative for each of us to consider. We all obviously face temptations in our life. Jesus faced temptations as well. The difference of course is that Jesus did not give into the temptations. He did not sin. I love the fact that Jesus combated the devil’s temptations with the Word of God, the Bible. We each would do well to pay attention to how powerful the Word is in thwarting the devil’s temptations of us today. Here’s a very amazing image I found below, with a look at Jesus being tempted by the devil. Check out the cloud of temptation above him… the devil. Ever feel this cloud of temptation hovering above you? I know I have… And I know that faith in Jesus, calling upon Jesus’ name, and bringing to mind the Word of God in times of darkness & temptation can send this cloud away from us!
Bob Deffinbaugh at Bible.org has 4 great commentaries on the temptation of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke at this link, and at this link, and at this link, and at this link. And his look at verses 14 through 30 in Luke chapter 4 titled “On Prophets and Popularity” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 63 is beautiful! So many amazing verses… The imagery in verse 1 is fantastic – “O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.” Do you earnestly search for God in your life? Each and every day? Does your soul literally thirst for God? Does your whole body long for God in this dry and weary land…
Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 11 verse 20 today teaches us: “The LORD hates people with twisted hearts, but he delights in those who have integrity.” I find it interesting that this Proverb talks about twisted hearts. I pray that our hearts are not twisted! If they are twisted at all, I pray we allow God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit, the great surgeons, to untwist us. Only They truly can!
Worship Video: Today’s readings about temptation reminded me of the song “Lord I Need You” by Matt Maher. Here’s a great live version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG5O5TSIaE4
Do you need God? Click here and be with Him forevermore!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that your soul is thirsting for God today. Pray that your body is longing for God today. Pray for ultimate and eternal satisfaction in God alone.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: When faced with temptation in your life, have you ever brought to mind the Word of God? Did this change things? Do you believe that the Word of God can help us combat temptation in our life? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Love, Trust and Obey Jesus,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
Numbers 30:1-31:54
Upon reading this portion of scripture I began thinking of the following verses:
Proverbs 20:25 (AMP)
25 It is a snare to a man to utter a vow [of consecration] rashly and [not until] afterward inquire [whether he can fulfill it].
Ecclesiastes 5 (AMP)
4 When you vow a vow or make a pledge to God, do not put off paying it; for God has no pleasure in fools (those who witlessly mock Him). Pay what you vow.
5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
6 Do not allow your mouth to cause your body to sin, and do not say before the messenger [the priest] that it was an error or mistake. Why should God be [made] angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?
How easy it is for me to open my mouth and utter some rash vow without thinking, This is so easy to do when you are amongst other “saints” in the church and they are standing around talking about what “work” they are either going to do for the church or God. Now wanting to feel left out the mouth opens and the foot goes in. Or I feel pressured to respond because I don’t want to look like a “bad” or “lazy” Christian.
The reading today plus the verse I copied in show us that God takes our vows seriously and no matter the amount of pressure we experience or excitement in the moment should cause us to utter a vow to God. This is a much needed reality check for me. If I’m to do something for the church or God it should be done with a joyous heart and not out of a feeling of pressured obligation.
Chapter 31 of Numbers is fascinating because God actually directed them to fight against the Midianites and because they obeyed not one life was lost. However, they didn’t fully listen to what they were told to do they spared some things that should not have been spared. However, again Moses came to the rescue. Even though Moses was told that after this battle, He would go the way of his ancestors, Moses’ heart always yearned for the best for his people. This shows me that our outlook on life must go beyond the current generation; we must have a heart for the generations to come. To have this attitude one must get out of selfishness and understand that this life on earth is about investing in the next generation and not consuming all the resources on self.
Numbers 31:
14 Moses was angry with the leaders of the army, the heads of thousands and the heads of hundreds, who had fought in the war.
15 He said to them, ” Have you allowed all the women to live?
This interpreting of God’s Word to confirm to lustful desires will bring much harm to leadership and the nation from the time of this battle until now. God tells us to completely destroy something in that will impact our lives in the future but because we don’t understand the danger, we preempt God’s all knowing knowledge and replace it with our reasoning. Joshua and King Saul will feel the sting on not adhering precisely to instructions from the Lord. I think this modifying of God’s Word began when Moses and Aaron struck the Rock twice; instead of speaking to the Rock back in Numbers 20:8.
Luke 4:1-30
Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to be tested. We forget that the Holy Spirit may lead us into a time of testing. This testing is not to break us but to show us where the cracks are, if any. God knows what we will and will not do, it is we ourselves who have a distorted picture of what we are capable of doing. Just ask the Apostle Peter.
The three areas of testing that Jesus faced or the same three areas where we will be tested: the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16).
Take note that the second temptation, or testing, the Devil makes a statement that Jesus doesn’t rebuke. Is his, the Devil’s, statement truth or half-a-truth (half the truth is a whole lie)?
5 The devil took Jesus up on a high mountain. He had Jesus look at all the nations of the world at one time.
6 The devil said to Jesus, ‘I will give You all this power and greatness. It has been given to me. I can give it to anyone I want to.
Hmmm, Satan is saying that all the power and greatness is his, or at least it use to be his before Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection took it away from him. Jesus didn’t tell him that he didn’t own it. Is that way the Apostle Paul called Satan, the God of this world? (2 Corinthians 4:4)
When Jesus withstood the temptations the text states that he went back to Galilee under the power of the Holy Spirit. What happens to me when I withstand temptations and testings? Since Jesus is my brother, the first born from the dead, it stands to reason that the same power available to Him should be available to me when I withstand pressure from the enemy. That is something I need to focus on when I am being tested.
We hear this over and over again, even secular folks quote this, but do we really understand the implications?
24 He said, ‘A man who speaks for God is not respected in his own country. (NLT)
Or in King James language, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
Psalm 63:1-11
While reading this Psalm it occurred to me that this first verse is the attitude I should have when I am, “Asking … Seeking … Knocking …”
1 O God, You are my God. I will look for You with all my heart and strength. My soul is thirsty for You. My flesh is weak wanting You in a dry and tired land where there is no water.
So often I look for answers for understanding scripture in all the wrong places. The answer is in this Word!
Proverbs 11:20-21
I did some studying on this particular passage especially since there is this view that God “loves” everyone and thus He is incapable of “judging” anyone as being bad or wicked, they are just misunderstood. But clearly the twentieth verse doesn’t say that. So either God is lying or man has distorted the Words of God.
When in doubt go to back to the Hebrew. The word translated “twisted hearts” in the NLT, is almost word-for-word in the Hebrew. Twisted in the NLT, or “forward” in King James, actually means, twisted, distorted, crooked, perverse, perverted. However the word translated “hate” in several translations yet in the King James the word abomination is used (is an abomination) in the Hebrew [a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable;
in ritual sense (of unclean food, idols, mixed marriages); in ethical sense (of wickedness etc)]
Since we have just gone through the Book of Leviticus, dealing with clean and unclean, we have a clearer understanding of what this actually means. Since God is a Holy God, uncleanness cannot stand before Him. So I believe who we use the word hate and what the Hebrew states may be slightly off; however, we get the picture of how much God “hates” the crooked and perverse way: just something to think about.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Bella:
I love that awesome picture of Christ with the dark cloud in the background. How lonely he must have felt as he awaited the outcome. We find ourselves in those same circumstance, lonely and vulnerable, as we wait patiently for the holy spirit to show us the way.
The parched land depicts how broken our lives can be and it is not important what people think of us but that the holy spirit lifts and guides our daily walk as believers.
Bella
======= Sandy:
Hi; I copied Mike’s picture of the parched ground to show my kids when I share my quiet time from Ps. 63 with them tonight. Ps. 63:6-8 were the first verses, by the way, that I ever memorized as a new Christian in 1975: “…my soul clings to You…” He has been faithful.
In response to Emberglow’s question about the Martin Luther quote: someone once said, “Love God and do what you want.” I wonder if this is what Martin Luther meant. As I grow in love and intimacy with the Father, I know His mind and want His will. Ps. 37:4 states that as I delight in God, He “will give me the desires of my heart.” What He desires, I will have as my desires.
Of course if you love God you must hate sin. But not for performance’s sake: only because it keeps me from that oneness and intimacy that allow me to know Him and His will, by hearing His voice clearly. Blessings.
Sandy
======= Richard:
I welcome temptation in my life just as Jesus did when he walked out into the desert for 40 days. (He knew what was waiting for him out there!) I think of it as one of God’s greatest “gifts”. This lent season has had a profound affect on me in that I am discovering new ways to love my Teacher. I treat temptation as a means to draw closer to God. When I reject it, I can feel the warmth of my Lord’s grace upon me. I can’t think of anything (not even prayer) that provides as much satisfaction and oneness with God. Of course when I say “not even prayer…” I show my ignorance. Often rejecting temptation takes prayer… and alot of it!!
Richard
======= Chayla:
These passages speak alot about temptation, sin, and the blotting out of sin. But what spoke to me the most was how the plunder of the solideiers did not all belong to just them. There was a mandate from God to give them their due as conqueors but that they were in service to a greater populace. That a portion went to God and the temple caretakers as well as to the people.
It speaks to the idea that our victories are not our own but are God’s to uplift many and to show his glory.
Did you notice that after they gave God his due and a portion to the people- that they gave another offering of thanksgiving above what was required.
Give him thanks in all your victories!!! (Or should I say HIS victories!!)
Chayla
======= Pat:
Psalms 63:1-11 = In the study of this Psalm I greatly prefer the KJV over the NIV version because I feel NIV changes the whole meaning of this psalm. In the KJV verse 1 states, “O God, You are my God; ‘Early’ I will seek you.” In NIV verse 1 states, “O God, you are my God, ‘earnestly’ I seek you.” When you get down to verse 6 KJV says, “ When I remember you on my bed, I meditate on you in the night watches” and the NIV says, “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.”
When you read Psalms 63 in the KJV you get the clear message that we should seek God’s help early each morning and thank Him last thing each night for the help we received from Him that day. In the NIV you get the message that we should earnestly pray to God, especially at night. By changing the word ‘early’ to ‘earnestly’ the NIV deletes the need for morning prayer. I cling to the KJV psalm because I think it is extremely important for each of us to go to God first thing each morning to seek His help to meet the trials and temptations we shall face each day and then return to God each night to thank Him for His help and all the blessings He bestows on each of us during that day!
God Bless,
Pat
======= Pam:
One of my favorite Psalms is in today’s reading.
Psalm 63: 1-4
1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
The first time I was away from home for an extended time was in college in Germany. I was learning the language and had no place to worship. The cathedrals were museums and the only church in the small town I was in had less than ten people in worship service. It was a terrifying feeling to be in such a dry land. Please pray for the lost in every country.
Pam
======= Dean:
The Psalm today really urges us to have a burning passion for seeking after God’s face. How many of us today have such a passion? We have so many distractions that we really have become dilletantes, dabbling here and there in so many frivolous things. I fight it every day and it seems I can be drawn to TV, the blogs, my IPOD, guitar, piano, my Harley. I love all of these things but that is all they are – objects. Have they become my idols.
Oh, Father, give me strength and presence of mind to focus my concentration on you alone. I cry out to you for more and more faith – put a passion deep in my heart for You and Your Kingdom.
We love you Lord,
Amen
Dean
======= Gina:
Dean – you really hit it regarding distractions! It is so true that the things around us cause us to lose our focus on what this life is really about. I too have to admit that TV, the computer (blogs, myspace for hours at a time, email) iPod, etc have taken over and have become idols for me also.
And to add to your beautiful prayer above …
Father, I confess that I have allowed “things” to get in the way of our relationship.
Please have mercy on me and forgive me.
Restore me back to You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Whenever I am going through a really difficult time with temptation, I always go back to the first bible verse I ever memorized…1 Cor 10:13 – “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man, and God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” My pastor gave me this verse on a little card about a month after I was saved and told me how important it was to use scripture to get past temptations….God has never let me down! I love this verse!
Psalm 63 is just amazing and as Dean said, it’s a reminder that we need more of God in our lives!
Proverbs….Father God, I pray that you will untwist our hearts. Reveal to us those areas that need more of you and come in and change us. We love you and give you praise, Amen.
Gina
======= Mae:
Hi everybody,
I’m not sure when I’m back … our kitchen was on fire.
I’m not at home right now.
Please pray for us.
God bless,
Mae
======= Mary:
I have copied this passage in today’s lesson: “I read an interesting commentary today that said the giving of the instructions of the offerings for the festivals in today’s readings was done as part of the transfer of power from Moses to Joshua that was coming up soon.”
Through how many more generations did such power pass? In other words, Joshua would have passed power to whom??? And so on and so forth till the last recording of it?
Mary
======= John:
Mary,
That is interesting thought. I always thought the feasts were for specific reasons, a means fo gathering the people together in a central place, and to provide clues for the “plan of Salvation”.
After Joshua’s death there was no handoff of power. From time to time God raised up “Judges” to bring Israel back to the correct path. There were time gaps between most of the judges????
Later when the people wanted a “king” like other countries – God allowed it, starting with Saul. The (hand-off) ceremony there revolved around an “anointing”.
John
======= Sikee:
Think that we need to maintain integrity as one of our first steps in our walk of life. Especially at work.
We maybe seen by some as demanding, kind, unfeeling, proud, fierce, etc. But if we are not consistent in our walk, we have no friends here on earth. No one will trust us nor approach us. Because without integrity, there is no proven track record on the things we say or do.
Just sharing on my thots.
Can someone, who’s been around long enough, tell me here if this is true?
Sikee
======= Ramona:
If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell. (Matthew 5:30 NET.)
Even a child is known by his acts, whether [or not] what he does is pure and right.
(Proverbs 20:11 AMP)
Why would God tell Moses to “kill” children and woman, innocent people, or are they really inocent? One of God’s attributes is his Omniscient’s; He knows everything and is not constrained by time. In fact, God dwells in Eternity, so for Him everything is in the realm of “Now.”
There may be things that seem harmful and cruel to us, like the ordering of the killing of children and woman, but God sees the end from the beginning and either we follow our own intellect, which is flawed, or we follow God’s. In this case, Moses has proven by his actions and God’s confirmation that He hears and heard from God. The Midianites practiced a form of child sacrifice, they allowed/sent their daughters to sleep with Israel to steer them away from the “conditional” Promises of God, “If you keep …I will …” They used sex as an entry or type of worship to their idol god. Besides, God had already ordered this action back in the 25th chapter, Moses was now told to carry it out before he was to die.
Interestingly enough, at least for me, Mike’s question about temptation, based on the Gospel reading, is a practical real word carrying out of how to get rid of it, temptation that is. We are to reign judiciously over our temple, our bodies.
Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, (1 Corinthians 6:19 AMP)
Yesterday, I received an answer to something I have been asking God about since November ‘05. I am a Type 2 Diabetic diagnosed since 2000. I have seen this as not some kind of dastardly disease but as a call for a life style change and have successfully managed my blood sugar levels to that of a non-diabetic through exercise and diet. However, for the last year, my numbers, blood pressure and glucose levels have been creeping upward until in November of 2005 they went past the benchmark and headed toward numbers hirer than what was acceptable. My primary care sent me to see an Endocrinologist and I was left scratching my head trying to figure out what was wrong.
I still exercised and my diet had not changed. I went completely whole grain, as opposed to whole wheat (yes, there is a difference) and began checking product labels more closely looking for the words “corn syrup,” the enemy, in the ingredients.
Yesterday morning @ 4:30 am, after knocking, seeking and asking, I got a revelation of what was wrong, while I was exercising with a video. What had happened was a change, although subtle, that took me down the wrong path. Sin is sin, and what is “sinful” for one, may not be sinful for someone else. Note: I am using “sinful” here as something in my lifestyle or food choice that would cause my body harm.
Several years ago, I had an insect bite on my left ankle that landed me in the hospital for several days. I had received a serious infection that I had originally thought was an ankle sprain from this bite. After a week and a half of compression and elevation, I went to the doctor and found I had a serious infection from this bite that I thought was a sprain that needed to be treated with intravenous antibiotics. The infection was in my muscle, very painful, and they were fearful it might have traveled to my anklebone. I was sent home after four days with a walker and a cane because I had lost the ability to move latterly, and I could not put any weight on my foot.
After about another two weeks I went back to work with the help of my neighbor who drove a NYC bus and whose bus route went right by my job, that was a blessing. That “blessing” continued for three years until August of 2005, when my neighbor moved to Upstate New York. The question I heard from God as I worked out to the video was this, “When is a ride, not a ride?”
Now that I have increased my exercise, which is basically walking (I know walk two to three miles during my lunchtime as well as walking a mile and ½ after work to a distant subway stop. I purchased a pedometer to keep track of how many miles I’m doing per day. I was shocked to realize that the number of steps I take to get to work, walking to the subway, changing trains, walking to work after getting off of the subway, calculated out to two miles. While riding in my neighbor’s nice car to her bus depot, riding on her big bus and being let out exactly at the door of my job I had completely eliminated those miles. Subtly, over the period of three plus years, the effects of my walking pre-ride days, had worn off and sent my numbers over the top.
Temptation given into, temptation that does not seem like temptation, is subtle. Something that may seem to be needful, in fact it may be needful at the time, we think, can come in and shipwreck your life. When my neighbor first offered to drive me in, a friend gave me a warning that maybe it wasn’t a good idea to go. “Maybe you should stay home until you’re fully healed,” she said. And, after all I had accumulated six months worth of sick time and staying home, besides driving my crazy feeling immobilized and “lazy,” would be most helpful for my mental state and keep me active, or did it really?
So when is a ride not really a ride? Or, could that ride have taken me on a journey to a place where I didn’t want to be?
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Emily:
Yes, temptations are strong. But interestingly, temptation is not something dramatic or big. For example there can be numerous temptations we face every single day. Ramona mentioned his own bunch of temptations that had physical implications. Similarly, there are temptations to lie, cheat in small ways, look at women lustfully (and vice versa for women!) , money, material possessions, POWER AND INFLUENCE for their own sake.
I must mention one temptation that I have to grapple with every now and then. This is the temptation of intellectual philosophies that threaten to undermine my Christian faith. They tempt me to the Other Side or Sides… For example consider some quotes from Voltaire (Famed French writer and philosopher) ,
1.) ”If we do not find anything pleasant, at least we shall find something new.”
2.) Superstition sets the whole world in flames; philosophy quenches them.
3.) ”If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.”
Voltaire,like many other intellectuals may sound hauntingly convincing. Not long ago I also read Da Vinci Code. It is not great literature. But it can create storms of doubt in the human mind. It can leave faith jaded.
I also get riven apart by other concepts like deism (God made the world and left it to its own devices) , Inclusiveness:…How much inclusion of other religions and cultures can be tolerated within Christianity? (Remember that in the past too Christianity has already morphed from Hebrew Culture, to Roman culture to European and currently to overwhelmingly American Evangelical/ Baptist flavour.
Some of the inclusion and morphing is inevitable anywayz… For Example Bible has been translated into hundreds of languages since this world is so super diverse. It is interesting to note that in Arabic Bible God, the Father is referred to as ”Allah” (since this is Arabic word for God) And similarly in other languages, Biblical God has other local names. And when I contrast this huge picture with KJV only folks I can’t help laughing out loud.
Should we conclude people who are reading Bible in China, Arab world, Africa, Russia, Japan, Korea are reading Satan’s gospel? Would God be so limited that He would intend salvation only for those living in the English speaking world with reasonably good literacy skills?
As for the doubts of today’s believers. It would be interesting to refer to Bible before we condemn anyone for doubting. It is noteworthy and remarkable that Peter denied Christ three times at a very critical time, John, the baptist wondered out loud if Jesus was the real Christ or should they wait for another one, Thomas wanted to poke his fingers into the wounds of Christ in order to believe his resurrection. And these were the most faithful people who had the privillege to live with Jesus!!!
No wonder, we too need to see tangible proofs sometimes. We wonder if God is really listening to our grievances and prayers? I would say my biggest temptation or sin is that every now and then I doubt and gravitate towards Atheism or Agnosticism.
This is my honest reflection. And I,m not scared to mention it. Because in the end God will judge us according to sincerity of our hearts rather than how blindly we believed every word in the Bible that we came across.
So, God help the doubters! Amen.
PS- By the way, I came across this weird quote by Martin Luther which is interesting to reflect on: ”Be a sinner and sin strongly, but more strongly have faith and rejoice in Christ.” ??? What you make of it?
Emily
======= Vance:
Emily makes some very valid and good points. In particular, I liked this comment:
“It would be interesting to refer to Bible before we condemn anyone for doubting.”
The Bible is a book of history (though some would doubt that). Because it is a historical book, there are historical checks to verify if what the Lord spoke through the Bible is true.
I also like this comment by Emberglow:
“Voltaire,like many other intellectuals may sound hauntingly convincing. Not long ago I also read Da Vinci Code. It is not great literature. But it can create storms of doubt in the human mind. It can leave faith jaded.”
~~~
People who have questions about the Bible, or who are opposed to the Lord Jesus and the Bible have real questions that we can begin to answer — as we build relationships with them IN LOVE.
YES… it takes time to study.
We are called to “be ready to give an account for the certain, guaranteed hope that is in us” (I Peter 3:15).
Also, we are called to joyful study by our Lord:
2 Timothy 2:15 (Amplified)
15
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
GOD BLESS YOU.
Vance
======== Kevin:
I forget this all the time. When tempted our hearts should focus on scripture….Like in James, the Word is our sword! We dont wage spiritual war with human weapons. I hope you all have a great day..
Kevin
======= Jill:
Sometimes no matter how hard l try or how l ask Him to change and renew my mind and energy. Nothing works. l know l have a lot to reap because of all the bad l have sown. But when do l know? How do l know? Our lives are shamble. Thanks for listening.
Jill
======= Elizabeth:
Oh, Jill….
I have “been” where you are at now….feeling distant and unworthy. I think we all experience painful times differently–some people feel especially close to God when they are in distress, but honestly, it’s typically the opposite way for me. I feel most removed from God when I am troubled, like there is a barrier between me and Him and I just can’t GET to Him. I can know the truths of God in my mind, but sadly they don’t seem to connect into my heart at those times : (
I think some of this is that we are emotional creatures and our emotions can lead us all over the place. I thank God that He never changes. He is unmoved, even when our emotions are up and down like a rollercoaster. To be truthful lately, I feel like my emotions are on the OUTSIDE of me instead of on the inside. It’s painful, but I cling to the knowledge that He is close to the broken-hearted and that He calls them blessed.
I just prayed for you and will continue to…so sorry for whatever is happening in your lives.
A few things I would encourage you with:
You said “I know I have a lot to reap because of all the bad I have sown” and it’s easy to feel that way, but also hold fast to the truth that our God is a God of GREAT forgiveness. He gave His life to free us from sin and we are a new creation in Him. Chapter 8 is one of my touchstones for this marvelous truth:
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” -Romans 8:1-2
He is not following us around heaping all of our past sins upon us–He died on the cross to free us from that junk! Praise God for that, because I would otherwise crumble under the weight of my past sins.
Here is a passage I hold close to my heart when the Lord feels distant to me:
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” -Hebrews 4:15-16
May you draw near to Him with great confidence that He hears You and knows your needs. May you feel deep in your spirit that He is not predominantly a God of wrath, but of great mercy and grace. He WILL help You in your time of need, but it will be in His timing and His way. Often His timing and way takes longer than I’d personally like!
You also asked “When do I know? How do I know?” These are great and important questions! I think the “knowing” comes in many different ways for different people at different times. In my spirit, I have learned over time to “sort” what is Him. It’s taken me a long time to learn how to do this and I am still learning! ; ) But I find He most often speaks to me through His word, so it is good that you are seeking Him in that. You will know because your spirit will be quiet in that truth, even if the truth is difficult or painful.
Also, although He certainly corrects us at times, His correction is not “heavy” in a way that beats you up emotionally over and over about things in your past which you have repented of….that kind of spirit comes from elsewhere. Instead, His love casts OUT fear:
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” 1 John 4:18
Stay grounded in His word and keep approaching His throne in boldness and confidence. He loves to hear us pour it all out to Him–the good, the bad, the ugly. He can take it all and He knows it all anyway : )
When Paul was down, he clung to this:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
I would rather glorify Him in my strengths, but I am SO grateful that even (and perhaps especially) in my weakness, He is glorified anyway.
Praying for you sister ; )
Elizabeth
======= Briggs:
Jill,
Just now read your comment and want to offer a few words of encouragement.
Stop trying to change your mind and energy.
My experience has been that my feeble attempts at trying to change my mind and energy have only lead to frustration and have been utterly futile. You are not alone in this. I don’t know of anyone that has ever been able to change themselves. Only the Lord can change you. Your attempts at trying to change yourself will always be futile and destined for failure. You simply have not been empowered to change yourself. This is not the Lord’s will.
His will, rather, is that you pursue Him. In all you do, focus on Jesus. Desire Him over all things. Know that He loves you and is pursuing you, His bride. He, through His Spirit, will change you as you earnestly pursue Him. And you have no accomplishment in this; only His grace, His love, His power, His holiness, His desire, His plan for you.
Know also that we all will continue to struggle with our flesh until our bodies are redeemed in Heaven with Him. But you are no longer identified with the body. The moment that you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, henceforth your spirit has been redeemed and you are identified with the Spirit. You are a new creation! You are now a child of God! And though you continue to struggle with the old body, it is not yourself that you struggle with but rather you, a new creation, struggle against the old person who was dead in sin. Praise God that the old person is now dead to you and you are now identified with the new creation. The old self is not you. You are a child of God, no longer of Adam.
As you mature in your relationship with the Lord, He is faithful to change you. He wants nothing less than to change you. But you cannot change yourself. The Bible refers to this as ‘sanctification’. It’s a work of the Lord, not of ourselves.
Give it up to Jesus.
Briggs
======= Luch:
I am enjoying my one year bible blog even while i vacation in beautiful venice,florida.
Especially liked the reflections on ‘vows’ today. Jesus gave us clarity when He said, Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no’. Never was a better statement made about how to relate to people,and even a hint of how to set boundaries.
Luch
======= Elizabeth:
Luch, so good to “see” you–it’s been awhile : )
So you are in Venice, Florida; what a lovely vacation spot. I have a friend who lives down there. Isn’t technology marvelous!
I thought very much the same thing about Mike’s reflections on vows today. What freedom and simplicity is available when we choose to walk in “yes” and “no”s. Interesting also that Christ says that anything beyond this is from the evil one….lots to think about with regard to that. The enemy loves the gray areas of our lives and seems to flourish in that kind of “climate”
Elizabeth
======= Steve:
Ramona’s comment “
“This shows me that our outlook on life must go beyond the current generation; we must have a heart for the generations to come. To have this attitude one must get out of selfishness and understand that this life on earth is about investing in the next generation and not consuming all the resources on self.”
I must admit that I haven’t given future generations to come much thought. That is …..Until now and the more I think about it, the more important it becomes.
Steve
======= Simone:
I always try to bring in mind the Word of God when face with temptation!
It reminds me of the Bible verse James 1:13: “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man”, so it will always be the devil or some other creature.
Simone
======= Frederick:
Numbers 31
In Numbers 31, it was known that the Israelites fought the Midianites and won. God allowed the Israelites to plunder the enemies (the gold, silver, cattles, donkeys, sheep etc.) This makes me think: God asked the Israelites to fight and also awarded them material things after the battles. God rewarded the Israelites for obeying Him in both spiritual and material aspects.
Frederick
======= Joyce:
Mike and everyone,
This verse really stands out to me, as I read it from the Amplified Bible:
“And when the devil had ended every [the complete cycle of] temptation, he [temporarily] left Him [that is, stood off from Him] until another more opportune and favorable time.” (Luke 4:13)
This is such a needed warning and reminder for me:
Jesus successfully combated Satan’s temptations using God’s Word, then Satan [temporarily] left Him, until another more opportune and favorable time.
As believers, may we arm ourselves with His Word daily, and may we be vigilant, for our Enemy is always waiting for another more opportune and favorable time to tempt us.
Found this link on Jesus’ temptations
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/paperbacktheology/2013/02/the-wisdom-of-henri-nouwen-how-vulnerability-comes-to-life-during-lent.html
Sincerely,
Joyce
======= Jill:
Only Jesus coukd have withstood the devils temptation in that 40 days! As humans we would have folded! Temptations are around us daily!! They hang like a cloud over me daily! So I’m forever calling ion the Lord to help me resist the temptation and to be strong in the Lord! Love. Knowing my savior is there for me!!
Jill
======= Dee:
I think that the greatest times when we are in struggles with the enemy and struggling within, we callout to God to save us, and its wonderful that when we are sleeping in His presence and resting in His care, His Words meditate on our hearts and minds. I love to wake up and God brings to my remembrance scripture that I had thought I didn’t know or had heard, but that is how it is, I believe when you lean on the Holy Spirit and are convicted by His presence that He leads and you merely follow..
The vows in todays readings in Numbers, which ( I am loving the audio readings lately, while my eyes rest) made me think of the vows we take with our spouse and God on our wedding day. I don’t know, it just brought that into thought..wouldn’t it be something if all divorce went away because of “fear” of Gods wrath by which we took the “vow” on that day and held responsible for it..I don’t think there would be as many impulsive divorces or marriages at that thought..just a thought…hmmm
I think we could very much learn from Jesus as he ‘is being led” in the wilderness..and learn to trust and meditate on the Word of God and not to let it depart from our mouth..lest we be tempted and enter into the snare of sin and of the devil..beware…
The wilderness comparison of David in his own “wilderness” and in comparison to Lukes with Jesus “son of David” again , I love when the readings co-intwine so beautiful!! Oh how my soul longs for you like a dry and weary land!! ps 63
Proverbs: 11:20 The LORD hates people with twisted hearts, but he delights in those who have integrity. Lets not be like wicker(twisted) or as a pretzel from the illustration above, but be ye not twisted but let the Master Physician have His way in our Hearts, Souls, Minds and make us whole again!!
Be Blessed!!
Dee
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