John 8

 John 8:12

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.   Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

I picked this verse today.  I'm not sure why.  Just seems like we need some light in these days.  I'm trying hard to hold on to the light.  We have COVID raging here in Detroit.  We've had lots of friends lose family members.  Then there's the political strife right now, and the volatility it is bringing out in people.  Then our home situation with mental instability.....its been a TOUGH year!  I'm looking up.......just looking up.

tp

Romans 12

  20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]

Today I'm needing this as I think about work.  So not that I have enemies but I am in a position where we are having heavy debate with my own peer teammates--to the point where I am losing sleep and thinking of arguments I should have made or things I will say. 

So I may be miss applying this verse but I have this feeling that as I reflect some of my thoughts/arguments feel more out of anger and frustration like a fight verses working together to solve the problem.  I need use some of your comments from yesterday--get into my 'enemies' shoes.  Then try to help them with their problem--now I'm not trying to put burning coals on their head I'm just reflecting that my negative actions/comments may actually fuel the fire verses helping me get to my desired end game.

knut

1 Corinthians 9 -- Mavericks are re-engaging

So looking to dip my toe back in the water I used a random bible chapter generator--scientific ha.  I read the entire chapter though going forward I may or may not drive through an entire chapter at once.  I am suggesting we just let it flow a bit more vs. plowing through an entire book or even a chapter.  Bounce where ever we might feel lead.  so today this verse seems fitting--

 25

Everyone

who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

We are in the game of life.  COVID as thrown us a wrench.  I fell off the wagon of discipline getting into the bible.  We don't go to church in person at the moment.  Gina and I do listen to a service or two and she continues to study the bible daily.  Me not so much.  

Paul reminds me that I do need to be in the word and studying it to train for the game of life.  Today is a start--not even a wind sprint, just a restart.

knut

1 Peter 3

 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 

I really like this chapter, Gina probably not so much with all the work she needs to do around submission.  haha

But really the second half I really like and this verse really struck me.  Truly having deep respect and admiration in my heart for Jesus.  Living in a way, not with my words but my actions so much that it obvious to others that something different is going on with me and they ask why I have the hope that they can see. 

Then given the opportunity share what I believe, but not in your face or condemning.  Just simply honesty about the peace I get from knowing Jesus and having him in my heart.

Great chapter.

Knut

1 Peter 2

8 and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall.”[d]

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

A couple quick thoughts.  Sometimes life is tough, but maybe sometimes I make it tougher.  Do I disobey God's direction--and if so do I stumble because of that--maybe I don't even recognize how a struggle I am going through is brought on by my own actions are contra to his word.

The second one would be such a great lesson for our society right now.  I like to go on Facebook to see what people are doing in life, but what I see is visceral reactions to nearly every statement people make.  Even the most benign statement gets attacked, which almost always results in a retaliation.  If enough people could take this lesson maybe the attacks would dry up because of no response.  I

knut

1 Peter 1

You made a call out to switch to the new testament and I didn't see it until after doing one more chapter in Jeremiah.  So I picked 1 Peter because I read how this chapter teaches us to make tough choices under pressure and to trust God even through suffering.  So here we go--

 17 You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.

Even though most of my parenting is done this one still struck me.  I still have some opportunities to help my kids avoid sloppy living.  If its good for God  to be a 'responsible' father it must be the model to follow.  I should not shirk away from coaching my kids, but I will say I find it difficult since they don't listen so much anymore....hmmm I wonder how God feels.

knut

Jeremiah 36

 24 The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes.

What I got today was the danger of having too much power in my life risks me thinking I don't need God.  I'm guessing the king felt pretty self-reliant. He didn't need anything from anyone nor did he need to be directed by anyone on how to live his life--even God.

So given my own situation living in the USA, having a job that has created some independent wealth it does seem to create a possibility where I could and maybe do act like the king sometimes.  I don't want to ever want to lose my grounding in God and his word.  Being conscious of that fact hopefully snaps me back from those moments of acting like I'm the king of my domain.

knut

Jeremiah 35

OK, I really don't have a take.  I'm kind of lost.  It seems he's mad they listen to their ancestor to the letter but will not listen to him.  Yet the last paragraph I thought was a good statement for them....so I'm lost.

I also wonder again how are they supposed to know the difference from a false prophet and a real prophet.  How should they know that Jeremiah brings real messages of God?

Today especially a prayer for Scott--please heal him.  Give him and his family peace and the doctors the knowledge of next steps regardless of the output of the scan.

Philipians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

knut

Jeremiah 34

 11 But afterward they changed their minds and took back the slaves they had freed and enslaved them again.

They seem pretty ridiculous making a covenant then forgetting it and doing what they want--the results were pretty ominous they become like the calf haves and food for the birds.

But how many times have I prayed for something received a blessing from God then returned on my merry way becoming distant from God again until I have another need.  Maybe not quite as explicit as a covenant but a behavior no more noble.  I am thankful for the blessing I have and for the gift of grace Jesus provides.  amen.

knut

Jeremiah 33

“Give thanks to the Lord Almighty,
    for the Lord is good;
    his love endures forever.”

More of the same today.  But, I did catch this little phrase in the middle of the chapter.
Its a great 3 lines.  Sums up a lot!
If I could really live my life remembering these lines.....my outlook would never be down or negative.  How could it?

short and sweet

tp

Jeremiah 32

19 The leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests and all the people of the land who walked between the pieces of the calf, 20 I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who want to kill them. Their dead bodies will become food for the birds and the wild animals. 

This verse made me think of the commitment God and Moses made to each other, and them performing the same ritual.  So, I looked it up.....once again 'cause it seems so strange.

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/348085/jewish/The-Phenomenon-of-the-Half.htm

This concept throws some light on a custom mentioned by the Torah7 in connection with the making of a covenant. The parties to the pact would pass between the two halves of a slain animal. This custom is very difficult to understand. Surely, a more appropriate gesture could be found for persons wishing to express their unity and oneness than passing through the disunited halves of a whole object!

The explanation of the custom of “passing through the halves” in making a covenant is the same as the underlying concept of the half-shekel. Each party to the covenant was to regard himself as incomplete, a mere “half.” Hence, when G‑d told Moses that He was about to make a covenant with the Jews, He was emphasizing once again the lesson of the half-shekel—that a Jew and his Creator are two indivisible halves, together forming one whole, a perfect unity.8

Jeremiah 30-31

 25 I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

Once again, I didn't pull anything specific out of these chapters.  But, the overall message here is one of restoration and reconciliation.  God is telling of a future time when Israel will be brought back to its rightful place among its enemies.  

For me.  Its good to know that no matter how many times I mess up, God is looking to restore me and bring me back to him.  With a good heart, God will never permanently turn his back on me.

Good to know

tp

Jeremiah 29

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

These chapters haven't been easy.  Its tough to grab something out of these letter and prophesies.  I don't completely understand the context of the words being written....but today was different.  

This one was pretty easy.  This is one of the most popular verses quoted in the Old Testament.  I love the positive nature of it.  The Old Testament God can be seen as an angry/jealous/judgmental God.  This shows his love and his nature that wants us to have a great experience in life.

tp

Jeremiah 27-28

28:13 “Go and tell Hananiah, ‘This is what the Lord says: You have broken a wooden yoke, but in its place you will get a yoke of iron.

Wow time slips by fast, its been a while for a post.  I've gotten into not waking up quite as early.  Short one today--no take from Chapter 27.

Here I took that sometimes I may make choices that are of my own will that I know are not what God is wanting me to do.  I may be avoiding something I perceive as more difficult, but hear I'm reading in the long run not listening to God's direction for me will be far more difficult than a path I might choose for myself.

Short and sweet.   Hope you guys are doing well and enjoyed a great 4th of July celebration as a family.  All is good here.  We have Chris and Debbie with us for a couple days and they will be living with us for an extended period until they close on their house September 2nd.  It is awesome to have them near after most of 20yrs being away.

knut

Jeremiah 26

 2 “This is what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard of the Lord’s house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word.


So it struck me how clearly Jeremiah hear's God.  Tell them everything--do not omit a word.  I haven't had too many experiences where I hear God's word so clearly, though I've had a couple but its like a phrase.  What would it be like to hear such a stream of thoughts--paragraphs?

The other thought I had a few chapters ago and again now is when he said don't listen to false prophets who speak in the name of the Lord.  So how do the people know who is real and who is false?  The thought came again early in the chapter then by the end of the chapter Uriah shows up.  Is he for real?  He said the same things as Jeremiah it says but they killed him.

Things that make me go hmmm--not sure what do do with it though??  Not really a take today just ramblings.

knut

Jeremiah25

8 Therefore the Lord Almighty says this: “Because you have not listened to my words,

I really struggled in this chapter to find any message other than ignore God when he's talking to you and the end result is gonna be messy for you.  

Should be simple enough and yet its really a daily struggle for all believers.  Its not that we don't hear its that we don't listen.

knut

Jeremiah 24

35-36 “Instead of claiming to know what God says, ask questions of one another, such as ‘How do we understand God in this?’ But don’t go around pretending to know it all, saying ‘God told me this . . . God told me that. . . .’ I don’t want to hear it anymore. Only the person I authorize speaks for me. Otherwise, my Message gets twisted, the Message of the living God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

So the question kept going in my head as it talked about no one being a real prophet and punishing those who pretend to be and stuff like that---isn't Jeremiah speaking as a prophet??  hypocrytic?

But regardless, I like the beginning of these two verses using the Message. How do we understand or see what God is doing in a situation or our lives?  That is a great conversation and one I feel like we use to have in small groups or LUGs back in the day.  I don't find myself having that type of conversation anymore--but what a great discussion to engage in.

knut

Jeremiah 22

5 But if you do not obey these commands, declares the Lord, I swear by myself that this palace will become a ruin.’”

The message throughout this chapter is to obey God or suffer the consequences.  Obeying requires understanding his direction for us, so being in his word like this and I would say it includes our prayers and instruction he places on our hearts.  Don't ignore those tugs he gives you to take and action or change a behavior.  

Now we have the ultimate Grace from Jesus actions for us but I don't think that is a free pass to just ignore God's instructions for each of us.  I will say it seems scary to live in the times before Jesus like what Jeremiah writes about.  

knut

Jeremiah 21

13 I am against you, Jerusalem,
    you who live above this valley
    on the rocky plateau, declares the Lord—
you who say, “Who can come against us?
    Who can enter our refuge?”


Well it doesn't matter who you think you are or how comfortable I am with all the resources I've accumulated and ability to take care of myself and make my own way forward without God's help.  If I behave in that manner maybe he'll set me straight and take it all away.  To whom much is given much is expected.

Am I following him or am I like someone living on the rocky plateau thousands of years ago?

knut

Jeremiah 20

9 But if I say, “I will not mention his word
    or speak anymore in his name,”
his word is in my heart like a fire,
    a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
    indeed, I cannot.


Kind of a weird chapter, I didn't discover much to write about but I did take note of how Jeremiah was so on fire for God he just had to share what was in him--no matter what.  Even though his sharing seemed to do nothing but bring him grief he had to spew it anyway.

I really don't see me having such a fire burning or connection with God that I would shout it our or condemn people with what I believe God is telling them/me.  I would be more likely to avoid the conflict.  Its definitely not in my nature.  I wonder if Jeremiah as a boisterous person normally or if this went against his personality? 

I'm not sure the message for today but maybe one can be having the willingness to share God's word no matter my thoughts of how it might impact me.

I hope you guys had a good Memorial Day Weekend!
knut

Jeremiah 19

15 “Thlis is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Listen! I am going to bring on this city and all the villages around it every disaster I pronounced against them, because they were stiff-necked and would not listen to my words.’”

I read over and over.  I couldn't find a verse that was striking.  In general it just feels like the message of listen to me and don't go off and replace me with other stuff or the result will be disaster.

It was addressing an entire community or society, but at the micro level the message applies to each of us a individuals as well.

knut

Jeremiah 18

4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

Its never too late for God to change us. God can work with any circumstances or history in our lives and still make us into a useful pot.  For our part what I read is we need to repent and invite him and also stop anything we are doing that would be evil in his eyes.  Its a journey we will fall down but when we do we need to repent again. 

Its never too late for anyone.  Its never too late for me, I do want him to make me into a pot he can use to do his work.  I keep saying useful, I think because the choice of the word pot seems intentional to represent more than just clay art.  A pot holds things and can be used by the potter.   The early part of this chapter has lots of depth--i keep finding nuggets as I re-read.

My persistent prayers include-

Heal Scott

Keep Max safe and help him adjust

Give Todd and Kim strength

knut

Jeremiah 17

7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

I really like this visual.  

If you are reliant on the world and the people around you, its like a tree planted in the desert.  Completely affected by what's happening in the environment.  

If we are connected and drawing strength from God, then we are connected to a source of strength that enables us to weather any storm of life.  This brings comfort when things like the pandemic happen or our family goes through health issues.  Our source is still completely available to us, and we need to lean into it.

tp

Jeremiah 16

17 My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.

We have the gift of Grace and by Jesus our sins are forgiven.  That said, that doesn't mean have zero disciple.  This verse takes me back to my teenage years when I was doing are saying things that I knew in my heart were wrong I would often think about the fact that God is seeing it whether or not anyone else even knew.   He knows all my ways, let that fact be known to me at all times so that I behave in a way that pleases him--all day everyday.

knut

Jeremiah 15

19-21 This is how God answered me:

“Take back those words, and I’ll take you back.
    Then you’ll stand tall before me.
Use words truly and well. Don’t stoop to cheap whining.
    Then, but only then, you’ll speak for me.
Let your words change them.
    Don’t change your words to suit them.
I’ll turn you into a steel wall,
    a thick steel wall, impregnable.
They’ll attack you but won’t put a dent in you
    because I’m at your side, defending and delivering.”
        God’s Decree.
“I’ll deliver you from the grip of the wicked.
    I’ll get you out of the clutch of the ruthless.”

I read this a couple times in the NIV, which I caught the repenting part.  But in the Message I caught something more nuanced that I was missing.  Stick by God, know his is word eat it like it says in verse 15 and have his Word inside me.  Then use my words to impact those around me, don't be weak and change my words match society.  Don't be politically correct when it comes to sharing about God.

knut

Jeremiah 14

15 Therefore this is what the Lord says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, ‘No sword or famine will touch this land.’ Those same prophets will perish by sword and famine. 16 And the people they are prophesying to will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and sword. There will be no one to bury them, their wives, their sons and their daughters. I will pour out on them the calamity they deserve.


I read this several times looking for something to say.  One interesting point is that not only the false prophets but also those they prophesy to will suffer and die.  My first thought was this doesn't seem fair, there were prophets that God had sent and it was ok to listen to them, so why penalize those that are fooled. 

But maybe its because if you knew God yourself a false prophet talking about false idolatries would be obvious.  People were turning a blind eye to that fact because they liked what the prophet had to say in good times.  Then in bad times they were all running back to God, he said too bad.

Well we are in bad times worldwide.  Are people looking for God to save us all from this pandemic?  Why would he--have we been faithful to him?

knut

Jeremiah 13

23 23 Can an Ethiopian[b] change his skin
    or a leopard its spots?
Neither can you do good
    who are accustomed to doing evil.

No great take today.  But, this line caught my attention.  It tells me that doing good is contagious within me.....and doing wrong is the same.  It becomes a habit that is difficult to break.  If you think about it that way, when you come to point where you have to make the right or wrong decision.....its important to remember that decision isn't in isolation, and will continue to flavor how you approach the next decision.  Every choice makes a difference.  I often complain about how hard it is to follow God.  This verse tells me it becomes more difficult the more I look away from him.

tp

Jeremiah 11-12

12:5 “If you have raced with men on foot
    and they have worn you out,
    how can you compete with horses?
If you stumble[a] in safe country,
    how will you manage in the thickets by[b] the Jordan?


Earlier in Ch 12 he is complaining about why does God just allow losers to have so much success?  Its not fair--they are winning all the good stuff here on earth seems to be the jist.  I get that, why does bad stuff happen to good people--see Scott.  Then others dishonest crooks seem to live the good live.

In these verses I hear a response---settle down, you're worried about the wrong race.  In the end God will judge and it will be permanent.  This time of earth is small, kind of like how tiny our 'vast' oceans are when compared to the universe.  Life's daily struggles seem like a big deal now, but in the long run don't worry about the race on earth keep our focus on him because the real race is to join him in eternity.

not sure if this is making sense---its not where I thought I was going when I started typing.  I certainly saw no connection to the previous comments on the vast universe but this is where my mind and fingers went.

thank you God for talking to ME today.
knut

Jeremiah 10

 23-25 I know, God, that mere mortals
    can’t run their own lives,
That men and women
    don’t have what it takes to take charge of life.
So correct us, God, as you see best.
    Don’t lose your temper. That would be the end of us.  ...


We need His direction.  I pray as Jeremiah did for You God to give me direction.  What do you want me to do next?  I will certainly screw it up but I do want to try, so please make your direction for me clear.  Amen.

knut

Jeremiah 8-9

9:23 This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
    or the strong boast of their strength
    or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
    that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
    justice and righteousness on earth,
    for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.


God could care less about the status we have achieved in our society.  In fact, he detests it when what we have on earth (that he gave us) becomes what we really value and we lose sight of him.  He says if you going to boast boast about the fact that you are have the understanding to know Him. 

Where do you find the UNDERSTANDING to know him---I think right here in this book we are studying together.  So I don't think I'll go around boasting but at least there are many mornings I am in the right place to try to learn more about him.

Hope you and your family had a Happy Easter.  Certainly a Easter that will stand out in our memories.
knut

Jeremiah 7

4 Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” 

I didn't get a ton today.  But from this I took, be real with God he knows everything anyway.  Don't go do whatever your sinful ways desire or behave in a way that you know is not what God desires and then show up in church on Sunday and pretend like you have God in your heart.  Don't be a hypocrite.  Don't waste his time or yours--its probably not fooling other people and it certainly isn't fooling him and is leading to our own destruction.

Be real with God is my take.

knut

Jeremiah 6

Well I came up empty on this one for a couple days.  So I turned back to what we wrote in February 2015.  I came up empty that day too but ended up with some good stuff after reading my friend Tom Vs post--here's a link to what we said last time.  Still applies.

https://obrienteam.blogspot.com/search?q=JEREMIAH+6


knut

Jeremiah 5

5 1-2 “Patrol Jerusalem’s streets.
    Look around. Take note.
Search the market squares.
    See if you can find one man, one woman,
A single soul who does what is right
    and tries to live a true life.
    I want to forgive that person.”
        God’s Decree.
“But if all they do is say, ‘As sure as God lives . . .’
    they’re nothing but a bunch of liars.”

Kind of a downer chapter really.  I didn't find any great nuggets.  I just took away don't pretend or just give lip service to your faith in God--he will see right through it.  In fact, other people will see through it too.  Something about not being genuine, people sniff it out.  Of course for God there is no need to sniff it out--he sees it plain as day.

knut