May 18, 2011 (Colossians)

I am reading and re-reading Colossians & Ephesians. If there could only be two books in the Bible, these would be enough to strive to live by. There is conviction everywhere.

How about this verse:

 ^1:28 So everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ. We warn them and teach them with all the wisdom God has given us, for we want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. 

Everywhere I go do I tell everyone about Christ? Why not? Do I really believe that He alone is the way to heaven? Absolutely! But I fear the enemy has duped us. We listen to his lies (you don't want to push them away) instead of to the instructions of  God and being obedient to Him:

^{2 Corinthians 5:18} And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. ¹⁹ For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. ²⁰ So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” ²¹ For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Do I really see myself as God's ambassador? No, but that is really who I am.

How about this section?

^3:1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. ² Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. ³ For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

 ⁵ So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. ⁷ You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. ⁸ But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. ⁹ Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. ¹⁰ Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. ¹¹ In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Does heaven fill my thoughts? If it did, I would live differently. Am I idolatrous - greedy for the good things of this life? Unfortunately, yes.

God, thank you for Your word and the conviction it brings. And I realize that it's only by relinquishing my life to the indwelling Christ that I can live a life that will truly honor You. Christ in me, the hope of glory. I don't fully understand what that really means, but I want to. Please reveal that truth deep within my heart and soul.

May 11, 2011 (Colossians)

I'm out of the Old Testament. Can't take it any more, thanks to some insight from my husband! I'm going to focus on Colossians - probably for a while. I want to do some in depth study of this book. The study notes at the beginning of this book say this about the book:

Paul's purpose is to show that Christ is preeminent - first and foremost in everything - and the Christian's life should reflect that priority. Because believers are rooted in him, alive in him, hidden in him and complete in him, it is utterly inconsistent for them to live life without him. Clothed in his love, with his peace ruling in their hearts, they are equipped to make Christ first in every area of life.

Sounds like exactly what I need to focus my life on!

I've read these first couple of chapters in several versions and like the New Living Translation the best. I was struck by this verse:

^1:19 For God in all his fullness
      was pleased to live in Christ,

And then this verse:

^1:27b For this is the secret: Christ lives in you, and this is your assurance that you will share in his glory.

So just as God dwelt in the human body of Christ, so also Christ dwells in the human body of us. If you notice there is a comma at the end of verse 19. Here is the rest of that passage:

¹⁹ For God in all his fullness
      was pleased to live in Christ,
 ²⁰ and by him God reconciled
      everything to himself.
   He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
      by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

 ²¹ This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. ²²Yet now he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body. As a result, he has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

 ²³ But you must continue to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.

We are God's friends because of Christ. Mind boggling - and that doesn't change, because our relationship to Christ doesn't change. It's ALL because of Him. And it's all through faith. We have to continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. I'm looking forward to this study!

May 10, 2011 (Zephaniah 1-3)

Prior to this I read about King Josiah - he became king at the age of eight, and when he turned sixteen he began to follow the Lord. As part of that, in his efforts to restore honor to the Temple, the Book of the Law was found. When it was read to him, he tore his clothes in horror at how the people had turned away from God. He repented and humbled himself before God and God said He would not bring the promised destruction until after Josiah was dead. But there was still judgement for the people's past sins. Although Jesus has suffered the penalty for our sins, there are still consequences to our actions and God is still 'searching to and fro to find those whose hearts are perfect towards Him'.

During the days of King Josiah, these are the words of Jephaniah the prophet:

^1:5 For they go up to their roofs
      and bow down to the sun, moon, and stars.
   They claim to follow the Lord,
      but then they worship Molech, too.
 ⁶ And I will destroy those who used to worship me
      but now no longer do.
   They no longer ask for the Lord’s guidance
      or seek my blessings.

¹² “I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners
      to find and punish those who sit contented in their sins,
   Indifferent to the Lord, thinking he will do nothing to them
      at all."

I know I don't worship 'Molech', but as I read these words, I can't help but feel that my heart is 'divided'; that I am not singularly and entirely the Lord's.

And then, what seems appropriate for our day of prayer coming up:

^2:1 Gather together and pray,
      you shameless nation.
 ² Gather while there is still time, before judgment begins
      and your opportunity is blown away like chaff.
   Act now, before the fierce fury of the Lord falls
      and the terrible day of the Lord’s anger begins.
 ³ Beg the Lord to save you - all who are humble,
      all you who uphold justice.
   Walk humbly and do what is right
      and to live humbly.
   Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you—
      protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.

And even though we don't see Him, this promise is true:

 ^3:5 But the Lord is still there in the city,
      and he does no wrong.
   Day by day his justice is more evident,
      but no one takes notice -
      the wicked know no shame.


It's so hard to be encouraged when I see the sin of my heart and the judgement that God pronounced on His sinful people. But I have to remember that because I am in Christ, there is no longer condemnation of my life. Because of that I am to be a new creature, continually praising the grace of my Savior; constantly thinking of His love for me; giving back to Him out of a heart of love and devotion; continually renewing the way I think.  Believing this verse:

^3:17 For the Lord your God is living among you.
      He is a mighty savior.
   He will take delight in you with gladness.
      With his love, he will calm all your fears.
      He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

May I live in such a way that God will joyfully sing over my life.

May 7, 2011 (Isaiah 59-66)

Someday all the injustices of the world will be gone. We get a glimpse of that in these verses:

^65:17 “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth,
      and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.
 ¹⁸ Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation!
      And look! I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness.
      Her people will be a source of joy.
 ¹⁹ I will rejoice over Jerusalem
      and delight in my people.
   And the sound of weeping and crying
      will be heard in it no more.

 ²⁰ “No longer will babies die when only a few days old.
      No longer will adults die before they have lived a full life.
   No longer will people be considered old at one hundred!
      Only the cursed will die that young!
 ²¹ In those days people will live in the houses they build
      and eat the fruit of their own vineyards.
 ²² Unlike the past, invaders will not take their houses
      and confiscate their vineyards.
   For my people will live as long as trees,
      and my chosen ones will have time to enjoy their hard-won gains.
 ²³ They will not work in vain,
      and their children will not be doomed to misfortune.
   For they are people blessed by the Lord,
      and their children, too, will be blessed.
 ²⁴ I will answer them before they even call to me.
      While they are still talking about their needs,
      I will go ahead and answer their prayers!
 ²⁵ The wolf and the lamb will feed together.
      The lion will eat hay like a cow.
      But the snakes will eat dust.
   In those days no one will be hurt or destroyed on my holy mountain.
      I, the Lord, have spoken!”

As I read these next verses, I was convicted:

^66:1 This is what the Lord says:

   “Heaven is my throne,
      and the earth is my footstool.
   Could you build me a temple as good as that?
      Could you build me such a resting place?
 ² My hands have made both heaven and earth;
      they and everything in them are mine.
      I, the Lord, have spoken!

   “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,
      who tremble at my word.
 ³ But those who choose their own ways—
      delighting in their detestable sins—
      will not have their offerings accepted.

Do I 'tremble' at His word? "no"  Should I? "yes" I realize how hard my heart really is.


^62:6 O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls;
      they will pray day and night, continually.
      Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord.

Do I 'pray without ceasing'? "no" Should I? "yes"

God's word continually shows me my shortcomings - continually showing me how thankful I need to be for a Savior who loves me anyway.

May 5, 2011 (Isaiah 54-58)

We have to keep our eyes and hearts on God and on His word - that is the only sure thing in this crazy mixed up world. So many promises throughout God's word to His children. But they are conditional. He loves us unconditionally, but He does not promise to bless us unconditionally.

³ “And my blessings are for Gentiles, too,
 when they commit themselves to the Lord."


 ⁶ “I will also bless the Gentiles who commit themselves to the Lord,
      and serve him and love his name,
   who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest,
      and who have accepted his covenant.

God continually tries to get us to understand the importance of His word. Chapter 55 stresses that His word is food for the soul:

¹ “Is anyone thirsty?
      Come and drink—
      even if you have no money!
   Come, take your choice of wine or milk—
      it’s all free!
 ² Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?
      Why pay for food that does you no good?
   Listen and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul.

I like the wording of verse 3 -   “Come to me with your ears wide open.
      Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake."

The life of our soul is at stake. Just meditate on that one sentence for a moment. "Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake." How much do we really care about 'the life of our soul'?

Verse 6 gives the impression that time is a factor:

⁶ Seek the Lord while you can find him.
      Call on him now while he is near.
 ⁷ Let the wicked change their ways
      and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
   Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
      Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

I love that God gives us examples from the 'natural world' to teach us 'spiritual' truth:

¹⁰ “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
      and stay on the ground to water the earth.
   They cause the grain to grow,
      producing seed for the farmer
      and bread for the hungry.
 ¹¹ It is the same with my word.
      I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
   It will accomplish all I want it to,
      and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

He also talks about how they continue to worship 'gods' who aren't 'gods at all'. Then he asks some pointed questions:

^57:11 “Are you afraid of these idols?
      Do they terrify you?
   Is that why you have lied to me
      and forgotten me and my words?
   Is it because of my long silence
      that you no longer fear me?

It reminds me of several verses - "Before I was afflicted, I went astray. But now, I have kept thy law." And "Whom the Lord loves, He disciplines."

The following verse is one that I will memorize:

^57:15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,
      the Holy One, says this:
   “I live in that high and holy place
      with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.
   I refresh the humble
      and give new courage to those with repentant hearts.

On the way to school today as I was talking with Cooper, I told him that for me, personally, it's time to really apply the things I am reading. Even though God's word will accomplish His purposes when we read it, how much more will it accomplish His purposes when we memorize and apply it. It's time to start living His word.

May 4, 2011 (Isaiah 49-53)

Here are some verses showing God's love and purposes for us, even before we are born:

49:1 Listen to me, all you in distant lands!

Pay attention, you who are far away!
The Lord called me before my birth;
from within the womb he called me by name.




15 “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child?

Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even if that were possible,
I would not forget you!
16 See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.

But the best part of these chapters are the fact that they point to Jesus. Chapter 50 sounds as if it is Jesus speaking:

4 The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,

so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
and opens my understanding to his will.
5 The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,
and I have listened.
I have not rebelled or turned away.
6 I offered my back to those who beat me
and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard.
I did not hide my face
from mockery and spitting.
7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,
determined to do his will.
And I know that I will not be put to shame.
8 He who gives me justice is near.
Who will dare to bring charges against me now?
Where are my accusers?
Let them appear!
9 See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side!
Who will declare me guilty?
All my enemies will be destroyed
like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!
An then chapter 53 is being spoken of Him, not by Him - As I reread this chapter I was struck especially by verses 10-12.

10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him

and fill him with grief.
Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
he will have a multitude of children, many heirs.
He will enjoy a long life,
and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied.
And because of what he has experienced,
my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
for he will bear all their sins.
12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among those who were sinners.
He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.
Because of what He was willing to suffer, He has many heirs. And I am one of them. Thank you Jesus.

April 29, 2011 (Isaiah 44-48)

Too often I think we forget all the promises that God has given us. I believe the promises given to Israel, His chosen people, apply to us, His chosen people:

^44:21 “Pay attention, O Israel,
      for you are my servant.
   I, the Lord, made you,
      and I will not forget to help you.
 ²² I have swept away your sins like a cloud.
      I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist.
   Oh, return to me,
      for I have paid the price to set you free.”

And we should be full of joy because of all He has done for us:

²³ Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done this wondrous thing.
      Shout for joy, O depths of the earth!
   Break into song,
      O mountains and forests and every tree!
   For the Lord has redeemed Jacob
      and is glorified in Israel.

All too often I think we go through life without really contemplating what we are doing, just like they did back then:

²⁰ The poor, deluded fool feeds on ashes.
      He trusts something that can’t help him at all.
   Yet he cannot bring himself to ask,
      “Is this thing, this idol that I’m holding in my hand a lie?”

Chapter 45 is quite interesting, in that it ties pretty much hand in hand with Philippians.

Philippians 2:14 says, ¹⁴ Do everything without complaining and arguing, ¹⁵ so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. ¹⁶ Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 

and I get the impression from that verse that it's about complaining and arguing with each other.  But it also applies to arguing with God about what He does:

^45:5 I am the Lord;
      there is no other God.
   I have equipped you for battle,
      though you don’t even know me,
 ⁶ so all the world from east to west
      will know there is no other God.
   I am the Lord, and there is no other.
    ⁷ I create the light and make the darkness.
   I send good times and bad times.
      I, the Lord, am the one who does these things.

 ⁸ “Open up, O heavens,
      and pour out your righteousness.
   Let the earth open wide
      so salvation and righteousness can sprout up together.
      I, the Lord, created them.

 ⁹ “What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator.
      Does a clay pot argue with its maker?
   Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,
      ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’
   Does the pot exclaim,
      ‘How clumsy can you be?’
 ¹⁰ How terrible it would be if a newborn baby said to its father,
      ‘Why was I born?’
   or if it said to its mother,
      ‘Why did you make me this way?’”

 ¹¹ This is what the Lord says—
      the Holy One of Israel and your Creator:
   “Do you question what I do for my children?
      Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?
 ¹² I am the one who made the earth
      and created people to live on it.
   With my hands I stretched out the heavens.
      All the stars are at my command.

And I love this verse from Isaiah 45-18:

¹⁸ For the Lord is God,
      and he created the heavens and earth
      and put everything in place.
   He made the world to be lived in,
      not to be a place of empty chaos.
   “I am the Lord,” he says,
      “and there is no other.

I knew this verse was in Philippians (2-5-11):

⁵ You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

 ⁶ Though he was God,
      he did not think of equality with God
      as something to cling to.
 ⁷ Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
      he took the humble position of a slave
      and was born as a human being.
   When he appeared in human form,
    ⁸ he humbled himself in obedience to God
      and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

 ⁹ Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
      and gave him the name above all other names,
 ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
      in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
 ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
      to the glory of God the Father.

but I never remembered it as being in Isaiah:

^45:21 Consult together, argue your case.
      Get together and decide what to say.
   Who made these things known so long ago?
      What idol ever told you they would happen?
   Was it not I, the Lord?
      For there is no other God but me,
   a righteous God and Savior.
      There is none but me.
 ²² Let all the world look to me for salvation!
      For I am God; there is no other.
 ²³ I have sworn by my own name;
      I have spoken the truth,

   Every knee will bend to me,
      and every tongue will confess allegiance to me.”
 ²⁴ The people will declare,
      “The Lord is the source of all my righteousness and strength.”
   And all who were angry with him
      will come to him and be ashamed.
 ²⁵ In the Lord all the generations of Israel will be justified,
      and in him they will boast.

I need to continually remind myself of these verses:

^46:3 “Listen to me, "Sandy".
   I have cared for you since you were born.
      Yes, I carried you before you were born.
 ⁴ I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
      until your hair is white with age.
   I made you, and I will care for you.
      I will carry you along and save you.

 ⁵ “To whom will you compare me?
      Who is my equal?

 ⁹ Remember the things I have done in the past.
      For I alone am God!
      I am God, and there is none like me.