42:20 that you made a fatal mistake when you sent me to the Lord your God and said, ‘Pray to the Lord our God for us; tell us everything he says and we will do it.’
I read a little farther today as I wasn't getting any takeaways, though the story was interesting. Ishmael was a bad dude but at least he got run out of town eventually.
But then I read the above and thought OH NO, you can just feel it. The remnant has asked for God to tell them what they should do and they pledged to do it no matter what--so I'm sure they are about to disobey!
I think I've actually been afraid to ask God to tell me what he wants to do in life because I'm afraid of what that might be. But if I do get the courage to ask, I best be prepared to do it when he gives me clear instruction.
knut
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
Jeremiah 38-39
ch39 18 I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.’”
All the destruction of Jerusalem that Jeremiah has been preaching would be coming is now arriving. It must have been terrifying to see unfold and in the middle of all the destruction the only thing that saved him was his trust and faith in the Lord.
Not be any physical actions of himself or anyone else, just 'trust in me'. Simple lesson, hard to execute.
knut
All the destruction of Jerusalem that Jeremiah has been preaching would be coming is now arriving. It must have been terrifying to see unfold and in the middle of all the destruction the only thing that saved him was his trust and faith in the Lord.
Not be any physical actions of himself or anyone else, just 'trust in me'. Simple lesson, hard to execute.
knut
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Jeremiah 36-37
I'm struggling to take anything away from this today. It reads very matter of factly, and dictates the happenings. The only thing that pops into my head is the vast difference between the people living for God and awaiting his instruction, vs the king and others that are not. Their actions look very silly and self-centered.
My hope is that some day when the story of Todd Parker is un-earthed.....it reads like a story about a man who follows the instructions of God and not the instructions that come from my own head.
tp
My hope is that some day when the story of Todd Parker is un-earthed.....it reads like a story about a man who follows the instructions of God and not the instructions that come from my own head.
tp
Friday, March 20, 2015
Jeremiah 34-35
35 15 Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, “Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them.
I've talked about the series we are going thru on Sunday mornings in the past couple of weeks, and its been a really good one. One of the major points I've taken away, is that you can try and try to be better, and you can involve yourself in all the right things...but, if you don't have the relationship with God, it probably won't stick. In other words, for the people he's talking about above, they probably have no personal connection, and therefore it looks like a list of rules and obligations. If there's a more intimate relationship then the actions come as a secondary response. Not the primary.
So, we turn away from our wicked ways, only when we accept that we really can't do it on our own, and start a relationship with God. In doing that, the natural effect should be less and less of the wicked deeds.
whew! its Friday and I'm rambling.
tp
I've talked about the series we are going thru on Sunday mornings in the past couple of weeks, and its been a really good one. One of the major points I've taken away, is that you can try and try to be better, and you can involve yourself in all the right things...but, if you don't have the relationship with God, it probably won't stick. In other words, for the people he's talking about above, they probably have no personal connection, and therefore it looks like a list of rules and obligations. If there's a more intimate relationship then the actions come as a secondary response. Not the primary.
So, we turn away from our wicked ways, only when we accept that we really can't do it on our own, and start a relationship with God. In doing that, the natural effect should be less and less of the wicked deeds.
whew! its Friday and I'm rambling.
tp
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Jeremiah 32-33
I'm doubling the chapters now, for 2 reasons. I'm still struggling with the chapters reading very similarly, and because Jeremiah is a long one.
8 I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. 9 Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’
I love the redemptive power of God, and his willingness to give it to us. The punishment that he gives us is always more than deserved. The restoration is given when we show a willingness to acknowledge him and try to walk with him. In that, ultimately, he is the one that is glorified.
tp
8 I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. 9 Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’
I love the redemptive power of God, and his willingness to give it to us. The punishment that he gives us is always more than deserved. The restoration is given when we show a willingness to acknowledge him and try to walk with him. In that, ultimately, he is the one that is glorified.
tp
Monday, March 16, 2015
Jeremiah 30-31
This verse comes from the end of the 31st chapter.
35 This is what the Lord says,
he who appoints the sun
to shine by day,
who decrees the moon and stars
to shine by night,
who stirs up the sea
so that its waves roar—
the Lord Almighty is his name:
to shine by day,
who decrees the moon and stars
to shine by night,
who stirs up the sea
so that its waves roar—
the Lord Almighty is his name:
I don't have anything brilliant to say about it. I just love how it sounds, and how it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up, just thinking about the unbelievable power that the God I worship possesses.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Jeremiah 27-29
I just kept reading this morning, until something hit me. There is some good things in the first couple of chapters, but then I got half way thru chapter 29 and BOOM!
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.
I love this verse. Its all positive in nature. In reference to what we've been reading.....it must be funny for God to look down and see all the people trying to predict future events. Mostly cause he's the one that is in control, not us. We are so desperate to see what's coming. When all we really need to do is look to him, and it'll work out. We don't need to spend any time worrying about what is coming. I have used this verse in talking to the boys, but never realized it was in Jeremiah, or the context in which it was written.
peace
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.
I love this verse. Its all positive in nature. In reference to what we've been reading.....it must be funny for God to look down and see all the people trying to predict future events. Mostly cause he's the one that is in control, not us. We are so desperate to see what's coming. When all we really need to do is look to him, and it'll work out. We don't need to spend any time worrying about what is coming. I have used this verse in talking to the boys, but never realized it was in Jeremiah, or the context in which it was written.
peace
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