Where have I been for two weeks??!?! Well, college began again and life is busier than ever! I am excited to see God challenging me and teaching me amongst it all : ) I have been reading in Mark, Isaiah and Proverbs this week. I am pleasantly surprised to be learning so much from books that I have visited most recently to this undertaking. Proverbs has such level headed, simple truths in it that put you back in perspective. I needed that.
God is back to reminding me about child like faith again. I think that is a nice, heavenly way of saying stop being so serious and just trust me. Let me love you and let my love shine through you. Thanks God! I have been so consumed with school and everything that comes with ministry starting back up for the fall. God and reading my Bible have been getting put on the end of plans and the back burner of my evenings. I am ready to get back on track and put Christ first. I am so much happier when I am in Word.
God has been revealing a lot in these scriptures to me about listening and hearing God. Which is wonderful since that is the topic of small group next week! Thanks Lord! I always appreciate killing two birds with one stone.
This well known verse was exactly what I needed to hear this week, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
LOVED this and do not recall ever reading it,
"1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul."
Be good. Love well. Allow God to use you.
Have a blessed and relaxing labor day weekend my friends!
Showing posts with label Bible in 8 months. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible in 8 months. Show all posts
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Holding accountable
So I am still being a slow poke about getting through Mark due to homework and readjusting to school life. SO tired. I will update you soon on what the Lord is revealing to me.
Update: my friend's father's eye was FINE! Praise the Lord!
Update: my friend's father's eye was FINE! Praise the Lord!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Mark 2-4
Hello everyone!
Well I typed this blog once and accidently closed it! haha Nothing like a little mistake to make you laugh! I have had the desire to quit Mark and mix up my reading to a different book. But! I have decided to complete Mark before adding variety. I think some repition is good sometimes, especially when reading so much material. It's like watching a great movie twice in one day. There are so many new things to notice the second time around!
Mark Dos
Read this passage from www.biblegateway.com NIV:
"8Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, 11"I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
I like reading about how Jesus knew in His spirit and how He acts on it. The way Jesus communicates with bold love is so beautiful and I always learn so much from the way He speaks to people.
Mark tres
"Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.
5He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus."
The way the Lord was feeling makes me think of times where I probably made Him distressed. I am so thankful that He is teaching me ways to distress Him a lot less! The Lord must have to deal with so much all of the time. However, amidst the foolishness we choose, He still loves us, teaches us and leads us to repentance! Praise the Lord!
"16These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); 18Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him."
Sometimes when I read parts of Scripture where the Lord re-names people, I wonder if when I get to Heaven if the Lord will call me by a new name. I think that would be kind of neat for Him to say, "Hello Kristina! I love you and want to call you____!" :)
Jesus is so insightful and unified. I love this in Scripture when He says,
"32A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." 33"Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked.
34Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 35Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
Mark Cuatro
Jesus thinks ahead! I really enjoyed reading that SO many people came to Jesus to hear Him speak that He stood in boat to preach :) Probably no wobbling!
"1Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge."
Isn't it wonderful when our faith grows and we look back and see that it has grown well beyond what we even realized? It takes me back to when I was a complacent Christian. I am so thankful that I can look back on so much growth, even after a week, God is able to show me some small or large lessons He taught me.
The Parable of the Growing Seed
"26He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
Have a blessed week!
Well I typed this blog once and accidently closed it! haha Nothing like a little mistake to make you laugh! I have had the desire to quit Mark and mix up my reading to a different book. But! I have decided to complete Mark before adding variety. I think some repition is good sometimes, especially when reading so much material. It's like watching a great movie twice in one day. There are so many new things to notice the second time around!
Mark Dos
Read this passage from www.biblegateway.com NIV:
"8Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, 11"I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
I like reading about how Jesus knew in His spirit and how He acts on it. The way Jesus communicates with bold love is so beautiful and I always learn so much from the way He speaks to people.
Mark tres
"Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.
5He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus."
The way the Lord was feeling makes me think of times where I probably made Him distressed. I am so thankful that He is teaching me ways to distress Him a lot less! The Lord must have to deal with so much all of the time. However, amidst the foolishness we choose, He still loves us, teaches us and leads us to repentance! Praise the Lord!
"16These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); 18Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him."
Sometimes when I read parts of Scripture where the Lord re-names people, I wonder if when I get to Heaven if the Lord will call me by a new name. I think that would be kind of neat for Him to say, "Hello Kristina! I love you and want to call you____!" :)
Jesus is so insightful and unified. I love this in Scripture when He says,
"32A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." 33"Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked.
34Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 35Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
Mark Cuatro
Jesus thinks ahead! I really enjoyed reading that SO many people came to Jesus to hear Him speak that He stood in boat to preach :) Probably no wobbling!
"1Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge."
Isn't it wonderful when our faith grows and we look back and see that it has grown well beyond what we even realized? It takes me back to when I was a complacent Christian. I am so thankful that I can look back on so much growth, even after a week, God is able to show me some small or large lessons He taught me.
The Parable of the Growing Seed
"26He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
Have a blessed week!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Power to Drive out Demons
First of all, beginning Mark and trying to get new things from synoptic gospels is not easy. However, the slightly different wording always helps me to get a new perspective. In Mark 1 I was totally excited to read about the Lord just speaking to demons and them leaving people. Read the Scripture below, it is so awesome!
23Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil[e] spirit cried out, 24"What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"
25"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" 26The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
27The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." 28News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
32That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33The whole town gathered at the door, 34and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
The Lord is powerful! Don't you know that the same power that drives out demons and conquered the grave lives in you, as a believer? It is so wonderful! Claim it and live it, because you've got it!
Have a blessed and encouraging week! Walk in the power of the Lord!
23Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil[e] spirit cried out, 24"What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"
25"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" 26The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
27The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." 28News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
32That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33The whole town gathered at the door, 34and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
The Lord is powerful! Don't you know that the same power that drives out demons and conquered the grave lives in you, as a believer? It is so wonderful! Claim it and live it, because you've got it!
Have a blessed and encouraging week! Walk in the power of the Lord!
The last 24 hours
Greeting friends!
The last 24 hours have been nothing short of spiritually, mentally and physically exhausting. I was stressed and let it get the best of me and it made my reading get pushed to the side and half done, my mind was troubled and I was crying and tired. It was miserable. Today was a great morning to give to the Lord. It was all concerning school funding issues, but praise the Lord, it is all settled and resolved thanks to His grace and love! Thank you Lord!!! I learned so much from the experience. It was very humbling to say the least.
Tonight I am finishing Matthew since I was supposed to complete it last night. I really wanted to highlight the end where Jesus says that Judas will betray Him and the response He gives to Judas and His disciples is really amazing. The trust in the Father is absolutely breathtaking.
His patience in Matthew 26:24-28. The mockery He endored is hard to read.
64"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
65Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66What do you think?"
"He is worthy of death," they answered.
67Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?"
So what did I learn from these lines of Scripture? I learned that we always seek the Father and the will of the Father. It was very fitting for me to read this today after such a day as yesterday. The Father has the master plan and it can get rough but we must give our lives to Him to be able to endore.
Random side note: Please pray for my throat. It has been acting really crazy the last few days. Dry and hard to talk. Also, for my best friend's dad. He needs healing in his eye. Thank you! Please leave prayer requests in my comments section. I would love to pray for you!
The last 24 hours have been nothing short of spiritually, mentally and physically exhausting. I was stressed and let it get the best of me and it made my reading get pushed to the side and half done, my mind was troubled and I was crying and tired. It was miserable. Today was a great morning to give to the Lord. It was all concerning school funding issues, but praise the Lord, it is all settled and resolved thanks to His grace and love! Thank you Lord!!! I learned so much from the experience. It was very humbling to say the least.
Tonight I am finishing Matthew since I was supposed to complete it last night. I really wanted to highlight the end where Jesus says that Judas will betray Him and the response He gives to Judas and His disciples is really amazing. The trust in the Father is absolutely breathtaking.
His patience in Matthew 26:24-28. The mockery He endored is hard to read.
64"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
65Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66What do you think?"
"He is worthy of death," they answered.
67Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?"
So what did I learn from these lines of Scripture? I learned that we always seek the Father and the will of the Father. It was very fitting for me to read this today after such a day as yesterday. The Father has the master plan and it can get rough but we must give our lives to Him to be able to endore.
Random side note: Please pray for my throat. It has been acting really crazy the last few days. Dry and hard to talk. Also, for my best friend's dad. He needs healing in his eye. Thank you! Please leave prayer requests in my comments section. I would love to pray for you!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
baby post
Bula!
So some of you may be wondering why I only outlined and talked about ONE little verse in ALL of Matthew. However, it is my favorite, so I figured it needed some limelight of its own. I am getting SO much more from Matthew than I had thought. I admittedly began in the book of Daniel just so that it would be a while until Matthew! haha I feel like I have read Matthew a million times, but as the Lord says, the Word of God is LIVING! So every time I read it, I get something new! Praise God for a fresh perspective!
I am getting so much from Matthew and encourage you to read it this week for some solid, great truths.
In Matthew 24 it was cool to read that even the ANGELS do not know when the rapture is to come! Not even JESUS! That is the best kept secret in the entire world! It is good to read about how when the 'end times' come, two men will be in a field and one will go but the other will stay. It says to keep away from temptation because the day He returns we do not want to be caught in foolishness. It was a great encouragement to continue to pursue God and not the desires of my heart/flesh that are so easy to do. I feel like God is really meeting me and helping me through how I speak to people and pray for people. It has been really wonderful to see the fruits of Him speaking through me and not my words of offence or confusion shining through.
36"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father.
So some of you may be wondering why I only outlined and talked about ONE little verse in ALL of Matthew. However, it is my favorite, so I figured it needed some limelight of its own. I am getting SO much more from Matthew than I had thought. I admittedly began in the book of Daniel just so that it would be a while until Matthew! haha I feel like I have read Matthew a million times, but as the Lord says, the Word of God is LIVING! So every time I read it, I get something new! Praise God for a fresh perspective!
I am getting so much from Matthew and encourage you to read it this week for some solid, great truths.
In Matthew 24 it was cool to read that even the ANGELS do not know when the rapture is to come! Not even JESUS! That is the best kept secret in the entire world! It is good to read about how when the 'end times' come, two men will be in a field and one will go but the other will stay. It says to keep away from temptation because the day He returns we do not want to be caught in foolishness. It was a great encouragement to continue to pursue God and not the desires of my heart/flesh that are so easy to do. I feel like God is really meeting me and helping me through how I speak to people and pray for people. It has been really wonderful to see the fruits of Him speaking through me and not my words of offence or confusion shining through.
36"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Matthew
Evenin'!
Matthew
My personal favorite part in Matthew is when John the Baptist comes onto the scene in Matthew 3. Besides Jesus Christ, I would want to meet John the Baptist (you know those questions: if you could have dinner with someone alive or dead who would it be?) I really like the authority in which he walks and how He so strongly relies on God.
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11"I baptize you with[b] water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
The Baptism of Jesus
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Matthew
My personal favorite part in Matthew is when John the Baptist comes onto the scene in Matthew 3. Besides Jesus Christ, I would want to meet John the Baptist (you know those questions: if you could have dinner with someone alive or dead who would it be?) I really like the authority in which he walks and how He so strongly relies on God.
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11"I baptize you with[b] water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
The Baptism of Jesus
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Friday, August 6, 2010
Zechariah and Malachi
Hugs all around!
I hope that you all are doing wonderfully this fine evening! Today for me was alright, I have definitely felt better, but I do feel good about getting this blog up to speed!!
Zechariah
I got so much out of this book of the Bible! It it very similar to Haggai but how some of the same examples from Haggai were written in Zechariah affected me differently. I liked that very much. It was a powerful and beautiful book in all.
These are some verses that spoke to me:
1. 2:5 "And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,' declares the Lord, 'and I will be its glory within.'
2. The story of the High Priest in chapter 3 is really good. The examples in verses 3-4 is really good. "3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. 4 The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you."
3. 4:6 "6 So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty."
4. 7:4-6 Speaks on fasting
5. 8:16
6. 9:10-12, 14-17, 10:1, 10:12
9:16 is my favorite from these verses it reads,
"The LORD their God will save them on that day
as the flock of his people.
They will sparkle in his land
like jewels in a crown."
Please read Zechariah today and be filled with new knowledge, great truths and be filled with God's promise.
Zechariah 1-:12 is what I call a power verse! Read this:
12 I will strengthen them in the LORD
and in his name they will walk,"
declares the LORD.
Malachi
God's wrath, what He likes and dislikes. The Word says "I hate divorce" and so forth. It is definitely a difficult and short book to read.
2:5-6, 5 "My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. 6 True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin."
I hope that you all are doing wonderfully this fine evening! Today for me was alright, I have definitely felt better, but I do feel good about getting this blog up to speed!!
Zechariah
I got so much out of this book of the Bible! It it very similar to Haggai but how some of the same examples from Haggai were written in Zechariah affected me differently. I liked that very much. It was a powerful and beautiful book in all.
These are some verses that spoke to me:
1. 2:5 "And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,' declares the Lord, 'and I will be its glory within.'
2. The story of the High Priest in chapter 3 is really good. The examples in verses 3-4 is really good. "3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. 4 The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you."
3. 4:6 "6 So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty."
4. 7:4-6 Speaks on fasting
5. 8:16
6. 9:10-12, 14-17, 10:1, 10:12
9:16 is my favorite from these verses it reads,
"The LORD their God will save them on that day
as the flock of his people.
They will sparkle in his land
like jewels in a crown."
Please read Zechariah today and be filled with new knowledge, great truths and be filled with God's promise.
Zechariah 1-:12 is what I call a power verse! Read this:
12 I will strengthen them in the LORD
and in his name they will walk,"
declares the LORD.
Malachi
God's wrath, what He likes and dislikes. The Word says "I hate divorce" and so forth. It is definitely a difficult and short book to read.
2:5-6, 5 "My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. 6 True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin."
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Smile, it's worth the wrinkles!
So today I allowed myself the 5 pices of Dove chocolate that I was craving and read the lovely insides of each wrapper. It is always nice to read something that makes your day and today, one of my wrappers said, "Smile! It's worth the wrinkles!" I loved that!! Be sure to smile to a stranger today. Show people God's love:)
In an effort to make my blog entries shorter and most effective, I have divided up all the readings I am catching up on and currently reading into a bunch of mini blogs. So read away and you will see what I have to say for each book.
Haggai
My Bible says the theme of Haggai is "Rebuilding for results--the blessing is in the doing." I just loved that!
Verses 5-11 really hit home. Especially the end of verse 5 that says, "You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." The last two years, I have been trying (and have) made a conscious effort to buy less and live more. I read a line in a news story on AOL.com that read something along the lines of "make sure your account summary is a reflection of the life you want to live." That really hit home for me. I looked and my financial spending two years ago and it consisted of clothing and STUFF. Just stuff. This past year I did a really great job and shopped the least amount that I have in the last 5 years. I was extremely proud of myself. However, being home for the summer with a little time to shop and with jobs again, it gets me thinking. However, the spending has to be intentional and necessary. Otherwise it is a purse with holes. My tithing, spending, etc is improving slowly but surely. I can see God at work in me and my finances. Thank you Lord for convicting me and reminding me today to spend and save wisely in Haggai.
Another great set of verses to note is Haggai 1:9-10, "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops." The Lord is referring to HIS house/the temple that needed to be built. HIS house is in ruins, and we mask it with our busy lifestyles and put us before HIM. I think we can very much relate this to modern day needs of the church not just the building but the BODY of Christ church.
In an effort to make my blog entries shorter and most effective, I have divided up all the readings I am catching up on and currently reading into a bunch of mini blogs. So read away and you will see what I have to say for each book.
Haggai
My Bible says the theme of Haggai is "Rebuilding for results--the blessing is in the doing." I just loved that!
Verses 5-11 really hit home. Especially the end of verse 5 that says, "You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." The last two years, I have been trying (and have) made a conscious effort to buy less and live more. I read a line in a news story on AOL.com that read something along the lines of "make sure your account summary is a reflection of the life you want to live." That really hit home for me. I looked and my financial spending two years ago and it consisted of clothing and STUFF. Just stuff. This past year I did a really great job and shopped the least amount that I have in the last 5 years. I was extremely proud of myself. However, being home for the summer with a little time to shop and with jobs again, it gets me thinking. However, the spending has to be intentional and necessary. Otherwise it is a purse with holes. My tithing, spending, etc is improving slowly but surely. I can see God at work in me and my finances. Thank you Lord for convicting me and reminding me today to spend and save wisely in Haggai.
Another great set of verses to note is Haggai 1:9-10, "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops." The Lord is referring to HIS house/the temple that needed to be built. HIS house is in ruins, and we mask it with our busy lifestyles and put us before HIM. I think we can very much relate this to modern day needs of the church not just the building but the BODY of Christ church.
Rainy Day
Hi everyone!
I hope you are enjoying this rainy day as much as I am! It allows me time to read and relax. I think it is so strange how rain can make us so calm and sleepy-like. So you are probably wondering what happened with my promise to blog last night? Well, after work a group of old friends got together and chatted and caught up late into the night. So I apologize for leaving you all hanging. However, today I will blog and catch up.
So what did I learn from Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah?
Nahum
This book for me was about how God is a jealous God. He wants all of us to follow him and all of each of us to be in pursuit of Him and allow Him to lead us.
Nahum 1:7, "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into darkness." This to me sums up Nahum. God is good all the time and he will return to Earth to settle the divide between good and evil.
Habakkuk
This book for me was about questions we ask God and His answers. For example, we see injustice in the world and we say, "God where are you?" He is there in the midst of the trouble and we will not know or understand His mysterious ways in our lifetime but we can rest in the thought that He is a God of love.
I have always enjoyed 1:5
" 5 "Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told."
I really got a lot from the "woes" in 2:9-20. It gives a lot of examples of what God does not like and His feelings about them.
Example being in verse 2:15-16,
15 "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors,
pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk,
so that he can gaze on their naked bodies.
16 You will be filled with shame instead of glory.
Now it is your turn! Drink and be exposed [a] !
The cup from the LORD's right hand is coming around to you,
and disgrace will cover your glory."
This is a clear picture of how a sin can reflect back on you. A poor dicision can lead to distance from God and a need to repent. As believers, we need to seek a lifestyle that does not cause us to be living in sin.
Read 3 it is an intense chapter of the Bible. However, it paints a clear picture, as I said before.
The biggest thing I learned from reading Habakkuk was this: trust in the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord. Love the Lord with all your heart, regardless of what season you are in.
17 "Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments."
Zephaniah
I really liked the way it was bluntly worded in verse 1:12 about complacency. I think teaching and learning about getting out of complacency and into a life of actual change and understanding is huge in growing spriritually.
1:12, "At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps
and punish those who are complacent,
who are like wine left on its dregs,
who think, 'The LORD will do nothing,
either good or bad.'"
It is evident here that God does not like a complacent attitude or lifestyle. God wants us to take up our life and give it to Him to lead, develop and grow. This does not mean that we sit around doing nothing until Jesus returns to earth. It means GROWING! MOVING! STUDYING! Move in the gifts of the Spirit and begin to understand what God is all about. Do not become another complacent Christian that sits at church and then forgets what they heard all week. The Christian LIFE is more than that. Much more. It means power and developement and removing that comfort zone and allowing yourself to go further than what your brain tells you is Christianity and what you can wrap your head around.
3:14-20 A MUST READ!
3:20,
20 "At that time I will gather you;
at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honor and praise
among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your fortunes [a]
before your very eyes,"
says the LORD."
I hope you are enjoying this rainy day as much as I am! It allows me time to read and relax. I think it is so strange how rain can make us so calm and sleepy-like. So you are probably wondering what happened with my promise to blog last night? Well, after work a group of old friends got together and chatted and caught up late into the night. So I apologize for leaving you all hanging. However, today I will blog and catch up.
So what did I learn from Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah?
Nahum
This book for me was about how God is a jealous God. He wants all of us to follow him and all of each of us to be in pursuit of Him and allow Him to lead us.
Nahum 1:7, "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into darkness." This to me sums up Nahum. God is good all the time and he will return to Earth to settle the divide between good and evil.
Habakkuk
This book for me was about questions we ask God and His answers. For example, we see injustice in the world and we say, "God where are you?" He is there in the midst of the trouble and we will not know or understand His mysterious ways in our lifetime but we can rest in the thought that He is a God of love.
I have always enjoyed 1:5
" 5 "Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told."
I really got a lot from the "woes" in 2:9-20. It gives a lot of examples of what God does not like and His feelings about them.
Example being in verse 2:15-16,
15 "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors,
pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk,
so that he can gaze on their naked bodies.
16 You will be filled with shame instead of glory.
Now it is your turn! Drink and be exposed [a] !
The cup from the LORD's right hand is coming around to you,
and disgrace will cover your glory."
This is a clear picture of how a sin can reflect back on you. A poor dicision can lead to distance from God and a need to repent. As believers, we need to seek a lifestyle that does not cause us to be living in sin.
Read 3 it is an intense chapter of the Bible. However, it paints a clear picture, as I said before.
The biggest thing I learned from reading Habakkuk was this: trust in the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord. Love the Lord with all your heart, regardless of what season you are in.
17 "Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments."
Zephaniah
I really liked the way it was bluntly worded in verse 1:12 about complacency. I think teaching and learning about getting out of complacency and into a life of actual change and understanding is huge in growing spriritually.
1:12, "At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps
and punish those who are complacent,
who are like wine left on its dregs,
who think, 'The LORD will do nothing,
either good or bad.'"
It is evident here that God does not like a complacent attitude or lifestyle. God wants us to take up our life and give it to Him to lead, develop and grow. This does not mean that we sit around doing nothing until Jesus returns to earth. It means GROWING! MOVING! STUDYING! Move in the gifts of the Spirit and begin to understand what God is all about. Do not become another complacent Christian that sits at church and then forgets what they heard all week. The Christian LIFE is more than that. Much more. It means power and developement and removing that comfort zone and allowing yourself to go further than what your brain tells you is Christianity and what you can wrap your head around.
3:14-20 A MUST READ!
3:20,
20 "At that time I will gather you;
at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honor and praise
among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your fortunes [a]
before your very eyes,"
says the LORD."
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
Well hello there everyone!
Here I am again...spilling my guts about all the wonderful things God is teaching me in the Word. :) I am still really enjoying this process. As I was chatting with my friend Cassandra....I told her that I realized this whole blogging business is strangely holding me accountable. Go figure?
Tonight, I am exhausted from a very productive and fun filled day. So I am just going to be lazy and blog about some of Micah for you all. Tomorrow I will try to be more productive in terms of catching up on blog posts and updating you on my reading accomplishments.
A precursor for blogging on the book of Micah. My Bible even says at the beginning of it, that the shifts of focus can be very confusing. ha SO with that being said. Here is what I got from the book of Micah.
Micah 3-4 is really cool and intimidating. It reads, " Look! The LORD is coming from his dwelling place;
he comes down and treads the high places of the earth. The mountains melt beneath him and the valleys split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope." That's how BIG and POWERFUL our God really is! I think that's pretty spectacular if you ask me.
Mmmm I like a person who stands up and speaks with LIFE what they have dwelling inside of them! Ah, it reads in 3:7-8,
7 The seers will be ashamed
and the diviners disgraced.
They will all cover their faces
because there is no answer from God."
8 But as for me, I am filled with power,
with the Spirit of the LORD,
and with justice and might,
to declare to Jacob his transgression,
to Israel his sin.
Wonderful! I love how God allows us to have His Spirit and power living inside of us. We are so unworthy of His love and mercy and power, but we get them all! He so freely gives! So declare it and do not waste opportunities to show and share it with those around you.
I liked the idea of people streaming to the church in Micah 4. It's a really great picture to think of it in terms of people coming to Christ to celebrate and worship Him together. Streams of people united under one purpose.
Today I heard a song on the radio and also was able to reflect on this verse about peace in Micah. I think God is trying to show me serenity and peace amongst chaos and challenges. It's the most amazing thing when you experience God in a full and tangible way. That deep and joyful rest and peace that can come ONLY from the Father. 5:5 says, "And he will be their peace." Ahh. Yes Lord!
I really want everyone to read chapter 6. It talks about how they are asking, should we bring God a burnt offering or offer our first born to get rid of our sin or repent of our sin? Then verse 8 gently says,
"He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."
Then follows Micah 7:18-20.
18 "Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
19 You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
20 You will be true to Jacob,
and show mercy to Abraham,
as you pledged on oath to our fathers
in days long ago."
He is in awe of the Lord and what He does amidst the chaos and the sinful nature of man. He sees the love of the Father. He sees through the eyes of the Lord for a moment.
If you do not already have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and are not yet allowing Him to be the One and Only God of your life...I encourage you to dig deeper and get healed from the inside by choosing to follow Him. I sincerely hope that these blog entries can help propel you into an understanding of His call for all people. All of His children. If you need more information, here are some great links:
http://www.c28.com/
http://www.godandscience.org/evolution/imageofgod.html#d2BFhDSJvvZl
http://www.c28outreach.com/need_jesus.asp
Here I am again...spilling my guts about all the wonderful things God is teaching me in the Word. :) I am still really enjoying this process. As I was chatting with my friend Cassandra....I told her that I realized this whole blogging business is strangely holding me accountable. Go figure?
Tonight, I am exhausted from a very productive and fun filled day. So I am just going to be lazy and blog about some of Micah for you all. Tomorrow I will try to be more productive in terms of catching up on blog posts and updating you on my reading accomplishments.
A precursor for blogging on the book of Micah. My Bible even says at the beginning of it, that the shifts of focus can be very confusing. ha SO with that being said. Here is what I got from the book of Micah.
Micah 3-4 is really cool and intimidating. It reads, " Look! The LORD is coming from his dwelling place;
he comes down and treads the high places of the earth. The mountains melt beneath him and the valleys split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope." That's how BIG and POWERFUL our God really is! I think that's pretty spectacular if you ask me.
Mmmm I like a person who stands up and speaks with LIFE what they have dwelling inside of them! Ah, it reads in 3:7-8,
7 The seers will be ashamed
and the diviners disgraced.
They will all cover their faces
because there is no answer from God."
8 But as for me, I am filled with power,
with the Spirit of the LORD,
and with justice and might,
to declare to Jacob his transgression,
to Israel his sin.
Wonderful! I love how God allows us to have His Spirit and power living inside of us. We are so unworthy of His love and mercy and power, but we get them all! He so freely gives! So declare it and do not waste opportunities to show and share it with those around you.
I liked the idea of people streaming to the church in Micah 4. It's a really great picture to think of it in terms of people coming to Christ to celebrate and worship Him together. Streams of people united under one purpose.
Today I heard a song on the radio and also was able to reflect on this verse about peace in Micah. I think God is trying to show me serenity and peace amongst chaos and challenges. It's the most amazing thing when you experience God in a full and tangible way. That deep and joyful rest and peace that can come ONLY from the Father. 5:5 says, "And he will be their peace." Ahh. Yes Lord!
I really want everyone to read chapter 6. It talks about how they are asking, should we bring God a burnt offering or offer our first born to get rid of our sin or repent of our sin? Then verse 8 gently says,
"He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."
Then follows Micah 7:18-20.
18 "Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
19 You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
20 You will be true to Jacob,
and show mercy to Abraham,
as you pledged on oath to our fathers
in days long ago."
He is in awe of the Lord and what He does amidst the chaos and the sinful nature of man. He sees the love of the Father. He sees through the eyes of the Lord for a moment.
If you do not already have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and are not yet allowing Him to be the One and Only God of your life...I encourage you to dig deeper and get healed from the inside by choosing to follow Him. I sincerely hope that these blog entries can help propel you into an understanding of His call for all people. All of His children. If you need more information, here are some great links:
http://www.c28.com/
http://www.godandscience.org/evolution/imageofgod.html#d2BFhDSJvvZl
http://www.c28outreach.com/need_jesus.asp
Monday, August 2, 2010
Everything between Jonah & Malachi
Blog 3 of 3. Phew! God is so good! He is just blowing my mind today with all this reading and learning! I love it! I wanted to make a quick post because I will not be posting the last blog post tonight. I will finish it too late this evening and will take notes as I go, as always and blog tomorrow.
Peace. Love & Fellowship,
Kristina
Peace. Love & Fellowship,
Kristina
Amos, Obadiah, Jonah
Hurray! You are here!
Today in my Bible, I had the pleasure of re-reading a paper gift given to me my last day in Fiji by one of the girls there. Bri was there for a few more weeks than my brother and I, so we had a send off party for us in our hotel room the night before we flew out. Bri and Heather drew us these adorable sketches and wrote great memories and notes on them. Today, Bri's sayings resonated with me. One of which reads, "Take the time to embrace the relationships you have, for they are more valuable than gold." Also, "Find God in nature, His beauty shines through all living things." Thanks for those Bri! Heather, your images made me smile ear to ear as I was viewing each sketch (it shows our entire journey in a collage of sketches). The memories were flooding back and grounding me. I loved the time I had to reflect and devour the Word and these images today. It was really great for me to just sit in God's goodness and love.
Also, another thing to bring me back to Fiji today was reading Amos! It is about a fruit farmer/shepherd who God leads to be a prophet without training. One of the group leaders in Fiji was a fruit farmer! Thanks for everything Tami!
Amos
In verse 4, my Bible says its an "old school" slur. I thought that was strange. More research to follow that.
4:4-5 "Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years. Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and bring about your freewill offerings--boast about them, you Isrealites fopr this is what you love to do," declares the Sovereign Lord." Then God goes on to give Amos Word about how He allowed drought, mildew and plagues to get people to turn from their wicked ways but they just did not. It made me want to be more intentional about my actions and my comments. God seems so disappointed and sarcastic here it was definitely a spiritual awakening for me. Aka, a reality check for areas of my life that need some editing and renewal.
4:12-13 "Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel." Now. If that does not make you healthily fear the Lord, I do not know what does. Prepare to meet your God. Tomorrow, this could happen! So we need to always be on our guard against the enemy and reject the choice to sin. By speaking life and love and being in the Word, we can be filled with constant light rather than darkness.
I have been telling my boyfriend, that I really feel like God is spiritually maturing me this year. I am growing in new ways than ever before and allowing myself to go deeper spiritually and take on bigger things for Him each day. Such as reading the entire Bible in 8 months. The 1 year Bible reading I failed at, so now my timeline is shorter? Only God. Thank you Lord! Yay for Spiritual renewal! Amen!
My favorite verses in Amos are 5:6 "Seek the Lord and live...", 6:1-7 where it talks about how we sit around with our riches and our opportunities and we waste them on ourselves. We are the first to go it says. Utilize your resources for the Kingdom when you can and for all you can : ) There was SO MUCH that I wrote down and underlined but I will save your eyes from reading every comment and point. I wrote multiple times in every chapter! Needless to say, just read Amos.
Obadiah
First of all, what a great name! Obadiah means, "the servant of the Lord." I want my life to say, "the servant of the Lord" when it's all said and done. Speaking of the end of life, I read an Obituary in today's paper. The woman's life was about Jesus, the church and the community! It was such a blessing to me reading about a woman running after the Lord all her life! What a joy to read about a sister's triumphs for the Kingdom!
Verses 3-4, 11-12 and 15 caught my attention. I really felt a sermon coming on in verses 3-4. I want to investigate those verses further and develop something there. 3-4 reads, "The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?' Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down," declares the Lord.
This summer, God has been bringing me back to simple truths and bringing me to Scripture after Scripture about not looking down on people or judging their place in ministry or their walk or the lack there of. I think it is so important that He brought me back to square one. Especially, since Ian and I feel called to work in freshmen ministry this fall. Amen for lessons re-learned and re-freshed!
I really enjoyed and want to write this verse on my mirror as a daily reminder. Verse 15 reads, "The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head."
Every day, this is an important Truth to return to and die to self with. I think I need to see this every day so that I will be slow to anger and rich in kindness and more careful about casting judgements, comments and rude actions.
Jonah
What a great book to remind us that God is always with us, even when we are running away from Him! Loved Jonah! In 3:6-10, it speaks about fasting and how God's compassion came from their obedience and surrender. I loved that. I love knowing that I can give Him and return to Him the much needed glory and repect He so deserves from me with fasting. I am so new to the whole fasting thing that I have been needing verses like this to help me understand the heart of God concerning the matter. Thank you Lord for those verses!
2:6--such a great reflection of God's love for us and His redemptive power and mercy. He never gives up on us.
2:8-9--I like the wording used here. The word 'forfeit' because it's always available (God's grace) but you choose to check out of it.
Jonah 4 is wonderful. The content taught me to be constantly listening to the Lord and really seeking to allow Him to nurture the relationships that I have with people.
All in all, a wonderful discovery of the Lord and His greatness. Thank you God!
Learning to die daily,
Kristina
Today in my Bible, I had the pleasure of re-reading a paper gift given to me my last day in Fiji by one of the girls there. Bri was there for a few more weeks than my brother and I, so we had a send off party for us in our hotel room the night before we flew out. Bri and Heather drew us these adorable sketches and wrote great memories and notes on them. Today, Bri's sayings resonated with me. One of which reads, "Take the time to embrace the relationships you have, for they are more valuable than gold." Also, "Find God in nature, His beauty shines through all living things." Thanks for those Bri! Heather, your images made me smile ear to ear as I was viewing each sketch (it shows our entire journey in a collage of sketches). The memories were flooding back and grounding me. I loved the time I had to reflect and devour the Word and these images today. It was really great for me to just sit in God's goodness and love.
Also, another thing to bring me back to Fiji today was reading Amos! It is about a fruit farmer/shepherd who God leads to be a prophet without training. One of the group leaders in Fiji was a fruit farmer! Thanks for everything Tami!
Amos
In verse 4, my Bible says its an "old school" slur. I thought that was strange. More research to follow that.
4:4-5 "Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years. Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and bring about your freewill offerings--boast about them, you Isrealites fopr this is what you love to do," declares the Sovereign Lord." Then God goes on to give Amos Word about how He allowed drought, mildew and plagues to get people to turn from their wicked ways but they just did not. It made me want to be more intentional about my actions and my comments. God seems so disappointed and sarcastic here it was definitely a spiritual awakening for me. Aka, a reality check for areas of my life that need some editing and renewal.
4:12-13 "Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel." Now. If that does not make you healthily fear the Lord, I do not know what does. Prepare to meet your God. Tomorrow, this could happen! So we need to always be on our guard against the enemy and reject the choice to sin. By speaking life and love and being in the Word, we can be filled with constant light rather than darkness.
I have been telling my boyfriend, that I really feel like God is spiritually maturing me this year. I am growing in new ways than ever before and allowing myself to go deeper spiritually and take on bigger things for Him each day. Such as reading the entire Bible in 8 months. The 1 year Bible reading I failed at, so now my timeline is shorter? Only God. Thank you Lord! Yay for Spiritual renewal! Amen!
My favorite verses in Amos are 5:6 "Seek the Lord and live...", 6:1-7 where it talks about how we sit around with our riches and our opportunities and we waste them on ourselves. We are the first to go it says. Utilize your resources for the Kingdom when you can and for all you can : ) There was SO MUCH that I wrote down and underlined but I will save your eyes from reading every comment and point. I wrote multiple times in every chapter! Needless to say, just read Amos.
Obadiah
First of all, what a great name! Obadiah means, "the servant of the Lord." I want my life to say, "the servant of the Lord" when it's all said and done. Speaking of the end of life, I read an Obituary in today's paper. The woman's life was about Jesus, the church and the community! It was such a blessing to me reading about a woman running after the Lord all her life! What a joy to read about a sister's triumphs for the Kingdom!
Verses 3-4, 11-12 and 15 caught my attention. I really felt a sermon coming on in verses 3-4. I want to investigate those verses further and develop something there. 3-4 reads, "The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?' Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down," declares the Lord.
This summer, God has been bringing me back to simple truths and bringing me to Scripture after Scripture about not looking down on people or judging their place in ministry or their walk or the lack there of. I think it is so important that He brought me back to square one. Especially, since Ian and I feel called to work in freshmen ministry this fall. Amen for lessons re-learned and re-freshed!
I really enjoyed and want to write this verse on my mirror as a daily reminder. Verse 15 reads, "The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head."
Every day, this is an important Truth to return to and die to self with. I think I need to see this every day so that I will be slow to anger and rich in kindness and more careful about casting judgements, comments and rude actions.
Jonah
What a great book to remind us that God is always with us, even when we are running away from Him! Loved Jonah! In 3:6-10, it speaks about fasting and how God's compassion came from their obedience and surrender. I loved that. I love knowing that I can give Him and return to Him the much needed glory and repect He so deserves from me with fasting. I am so new to the whole fasting thing that I have been needing verses like this to help me understand the heart of God concerning the matter. Thank you Lord for those verses!
2:6--such a great reflection of God's love for us and His redemptive power and mercy. He never gives up on us.
2:8-9--I like the wording used here. The word 'forfeit' because it's always available (God's grace) but you choose to check out of it.
Jonah 4 is wonderful. The content taught me to be constantly listening to the Lord and really seeking to allow Him to nurture the relationships that I have with people.
All in all, a wonderful discovery of the Lord and His greatness. Thank you God!
Learning to die daily,
Kristina
Summary of events
GOOOOOOODDDDDD Evening!
I just want you all to know that the Lord is just energizing the heck out of me lately! I am just learning so much from being in the Word more and more each day and it has been absolutely life changing! Thanks again, Keirstin for encouraging me through your dedication! I thought of you this weekend when my friend's dad said he heard Bill Johnson speak on, "If we do not step into our annointing, we could be missing an opportunity to encourage or speak into someone elses life!" WOW! That is so true! So allow that to challenge you this month as you tackle new obstacles spiritually. Allow yourself to die daily (to you) and to live for Him!
So admittedly, I took this weekend off from reading. However, God willing, I am catching up and reading 40 chapters today! Without God and His time, there is no way I could have accomplished this! Praise the Lord!
I am going to make this into three blog posts. It's just too much to read. So this is the summary blog, then the two above this will be the end of Amos, Obadiah, Jonah blog. Then the Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai and Zechariah blog after!
Learning to die daily,
Kristina
I just want you all to know that the Lord is just energizing the heck out of me lately! I am just learning so much from being in the Word more and more each day and it has been absolutely life changing! Thanks again, Keirstin for encouraging me through your dedication! I thought of you this weekend when my friend's dad said he heard Bill Johnson speak on, "If we do not step into our annointing, we could be missing an opportunity to encourage or speak into someone elses life!" WOW! That is so true! So allow that to challenge you this month as you tackle new obstacles spiritually. Allow yourself to die daily (to you) and to live for Him!
So admittedly, I took this weekend off from reading. However, God willing, I am catching up and reading 40 chapters today! Without God and His time, there is no way I could have accomplished this! Praise the Lord!
I am going to make this into three blog posts. It's just too much to read. So this is the summary blog, then the two above this will be the end of Amos, Obadiah, Jonah blog. Then the Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai and Zechariah blog after!
Learning to die daily,
Kristina
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday!!!!
Evening all!
Today's reading consists of the books Joel and Amos. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these books because I have never read them before. They are the small books that got lost between the popular books of the Bible. However, even the small books can bring big lessons and a big punch! I have learned....to be more aware of the end times. If Jesus were to come tomorrow, would I be knowledgeable about the coming? I hope so!!! Joel allowed me to see God's wrath and His goodness all wrapped up into one. Joel 2:28-32 were great for me today.
The Day of the LORD
28 "And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
30 I will show wonders in the heavens
and on the earth,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
31 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
32 And everyone who calls
on the name of the LORD will be saved;
for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be deliverance,
as the LORD has said,
among the survivors
whom the LORD calls.
Enjoy.
Amos was a little confusing. I want to re-read and get some more feedback before I post anything. It speaks a lot of wrath and numbering days and sins, etc. I was not too sure if I was understanding it all. Definitely a book to return to for a future study. Any ideas? Comments?
Be blessed and have a fabulous weekend! In Christ,
Kristina
Today's reading consists of the books Joel and Amos. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these books because I have never read them before. They are the small books that got lost between the popular books of the Bible. However, even the small books can bring big lessons and a big punch! I have learned....to be more aware of the end times. If Jesus were to come tomorrow, would I be knowledgeable about the coming? I hope so!!! Joel allowed me to see God's wrath and His goodness all wrapped up into one. Joel 2:28-32 were great for me today.
The Day of the LORD
28 "And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
30 I will show wonders in the heavens
and on the earth,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
31 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
32 And everyone who calls
on the name of the LORD will be saved;
for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be deliverance,
as the LORD has said,
among the survivors
whom the LORD calls.
Enjoy.
Amos was a little confusing. I want to re-read and get some more feedback before I post anything. It speaks a lot of wrath and numbering days and sins, etc. I was not too sure if I was understanding it all. Definitely a book to return to for a future study. Any ideas? Comments?
Be blessed and have a fabulous weekend! In Christ,
Kristina
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Hosea
So earlier today, I posted the remaining chapters of Daniel that I read through. As the evening continued, I completed ALL of Hosea! Woo! I am so excited for meeting my goal for today of getting all of that reading done! I prayed that God would make my reading really interesting and He did! I could not get my eyes off the pages! The reading went by so quickly and I learned so much.
Hosea taught me a lot about God's wrath and what the "fear" of God really is all about. It speaks of His love and how He is calling us to repentance and to love Him but we just turn away time and time again. It made me never want to disappoint God or sin again!
The verses that caught my attention most were:
Hosea 6:1-4, Hosea 7:1-2, 7:13-16, Hosea 9:7-9, Hosea 10:2, 10:12-14
Today in all, I feel like God was teaching me about the Word and historical, Biblical references. Also, about His compassion and love for me. How He wants to me to continue to strive for bettering my walk and my faith. To lean on Him for understanding and guidance and not the world. A Good day from a Great God!
Pray for my sore body to heal!
Be blessed,
Kristina
Hosea taught me a lot about God's wrath and what the "fear" of God really is all about. It speaks of His love and how He is calling us to repentance and to love Him but we just turn away time and time again. It made me never want to disappoint God or sin again!
The verses that caught my attention most were:
Hosea 6:1-4, Hosea 7:1-2, 7:13-16, Hosea 9:7-9, Hosea 10:2, 10:12-14
Today in all, I feel like God was teaching me about the Word and historical, Biblical references. Also, about His compassion and love for me. How He wants to me to continue to strive for bettering my walk and my faith. To lean on Him for understanding and guidance and not the world. A Good day from a Great God!
Pray for my sore body to heal!
Be blessed,
Kristina
Day 4 Daniel 9-12
Bula friends!
I wanted to first start by saying I totally lied about attempting a one page summary of so many chapters. However, I did make a concerted effort to trim what I needed to reflect on. Hope you enjoy this lengthy read as much as I did.
I was reading Daniel 9 after just completing some reading on fasting and nutritional tips concerning fasting for 3-40 days. A clear and concise reference for all fasting questions and concerns (http://www.ccci.org/training-and-growth/devotional-life/7-steps-to-fasting/index.htm ). I highly recommend this site to you. My pastor actually sent this link out in a church email and I found it really encouraging and helpful.
In reading Daniel 9, I felt encouraged to pray about fasting and to get serious about crying out to God, lifting up my sins and confessing them to Him. I felt urged to truly seek to repent from my behaviors, thoughts and spiritual plagues that I have not allowed myself to focus on crushing with Christ. I have never succeeded in fasting for the time I wanted to fast. Ever. So I really want to do it right when the time is right. The link above gave tips on what types of drinks to make and vitamins to take so you are healthy and able to really focus on God.
So in Daniel 9, I took away the cries and open communication that Daniel had with God. I really want to be intimiately close and more connected with God. I want to take my faith and dedication to repent and glorify the Lord to the next level—fasting.
These verses were really encouraging and allowed me to see the closeness of Daniel and God in a time of need:
15 "Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. 16 O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. 17 "Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."
The best part was when God responded:
20 “While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the LORD my God for his holy hill- 21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and said to me, "Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. 23 As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision”
Daniel 10 My favorite portion to meditate on is verse 10-21. It talks about God meeting Daniel and he being in a deep sleep on his face listening to God. Then he is given strength and can stand to listen to God. It is so refreshing to see God meet a man tangibly. It is so cool when God meets us in incomprehensible ways. I had never known God so intimately and in a tangible way until I truly dedicated my life to Him and His work while in college. I now know God in a deeper and more intimate way than ever before. I would urge you to look deeper into what you believe. God is not Sunday morning and God is not just about words on a page. He is so beautiful and merciful.
For Daniel 11, you really should draw a picture. This is definitely a chapter I need to revisit after I complete my 8-month study. It is very detailed and speaks about the end of a great battle of kings.
Daniel 12 has very interesting lines such as: 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise [a] will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge." It makes me wonder if nobody goes to Heaven until the end times. Do our souls wait in limbo between Earth and Heaven and then when the rapture comes, those who have died and are brought to eternal life will go to Heaven? After reading Daniel 12 I am a unsure.
This was insightful:
8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?"
9 He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
13 "As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance."
I wanted to first start by saying I totally lied about attempting a one page summary of so many chapters. However, I did make a concerted effort to trim what I needed to reflect on. Hope you enjoy this lengthy read as much as I did.
I was reading Daniel 9 after just completing some reading on fasting and nutritional tips concerning fasting for 3-40 days. A clear and concise reference for all fasting questions and concerns (http://www.ccci.org/training-and-growth/devotional-life/7-steps-to-fasting/index.htm ). I highly recommend this site to you. My pastor actually sent this link out in a church email and I found it really encouraging and helpful.
In reading Daniel 9, I felt encouraged to pray about fasting and to get serious about crying out to God, lifting up my sins and confessing them to Him. I felt urged to truly seek to repent from my behaviors, thoughts and spiritual plagues that I have not allowed myself to focus on crushing with Christ. I have never succeeded in fasting for the time I wanted to fast. Ever. So I really want to do it right when the time is right. The link above gave tips on what types of drinks to make and vitamins to take so you are healthy and able to really focus on God.
So in Daniel 9, I took away the cries and open communication that Daniel had with God. I really want to be intimiately close and more connected with God. I want to take my faith and dedication to repent and glorify the Lord to the next level—fasting.
These verses were really encouraging and allowed me to see the closeness of Daniel and God in a time of need:
15 "Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. 16 O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. 17 "Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."
The best part was when God responded:
20 “While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the LORD my God for his holy hill- 21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and said to me, "Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. 23 As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision”
Daniel 10 My favorite portion to meditate on is verse 10-21. It talks about God meeting Daniel and he being in a deep sleep on his face listening to God. Then he is given strength and can stand to listen to God. It is so refreshing to see God meet a man tangibly. It is so cool when God meets us in incomprehensible ways. I had never known God so intimately and in a tangible way until I truly dedicated my life to Him and His work while in college. I now know God in a deeper and more intimate way than ever before. I would urge you to look deeper into what you believe. God is not Sunday morning and God is not just about words on a page. He is so beautiful and merciful.
For Daniel 11, you really should draw a picture. This is definitely a chapter I need to revisit after I complete my 8-month study. It is very detailed and speaks about the end of a great battle of kings.
Daniel 12 has very interesting lines such as: 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise [a] will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge." It makes me wonder if nobody goes to Heaven until the end times. Do our souls wait in limbo between Earth and Heaven and then when the rapture comes, those who have died and are brought to eternal life will go to Heaven? After reading Daniel 12 I am a unsure.
This was insightful:
8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?"
9 He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
13 "As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance."
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tomorrow
Quick note: Tomorrow, please pray for me! My goal is to get this body healed up and well rested for the weekend ahead and the week ahead. I also plan to complete the book of Daniel (4 more chapters to go), complete the book of Hosea (14 chapters) ALL tomorrow. So, be prepared for a blogging summary and don't worry, it will not be as detailed and long as the others have been! I am going to reduce it to a page summary (I think). I want it to be a concise and easy to read blog, not a class. Let me know your thoughts and please keep me in your prayers, as well as my other friends and family going through health issues and the like. Thank you and God bless!
P.S. Please feel free to drop in any comments, questions and requests for prayer/ prayer needs. I would love to hear your thoughts on my first Spiritual blog, as well as answer any questions you might have and I love to pray! So shoot them all my way. Have a blessed Thursday :)
P.S. Please feel free to drop in any comments, questions and requests for prayer/ prayer needs. I would love to hear your thoughts on my first Spiritual blog, as well as answer any questions you might have and I love to pray! So shoot them all my way. Have a blessed Thursday :)
Day tres: Daniel 5,6,7,8
Greetings everyone!
Today was a day of rest and aches and pains. I went through a surgical procedure today and had lots of stiff muscles and a sore side. I hope to feel like myself again soon. Needless to day, I am banned from lifting heavy things (such as my Bible) and did not have any desire to type on my blog, however, the Lord has given me strength and I have figured out a way to lay in bed and read without feeling pain. So with that being said, Daniel 5-8.
Daniel 5
First of all, the king mentioned in this chapter, his name is epic. It is King Belshazzar! Admittedly, this is the first time I can remember ever reading Daniel 5. This is a good thing. I need to be enlightened and taught more about Scripture, so it is nice to be informed of a new portion and not find myself re-reading and growing stale in what I know. That will make the parts of Scripture that I do know mean so much more and have a new life, when I return from reading new passages.
What I can take away from Daniel 5 is that you cannot be arrogant with high position and sovereignty that comes from being a leader. The king could not even learn from his father's mistakes and was so arrogant with his high position, too.
I want to be sure to learn from both king's mistakes and be sure to put my pride and arrogance aside as a leader in ministry. I am a natural leader with natural desires to lead and guide people. However, I need to remember that leadership qualities are a precious gift from God and I need to make sure that my leadership is reflective of God and not of myself. I need to be sure that all I think, do and say is glorifying the Lord. Thank you Lord, for teaching me about leadership in the book of Daniel with king Nebucchadnezzar and king Belshazzar!
Daniel 6
Wow! Love the lion's den story! The king's admin and satraps wanted to get a charge against Daniel but they could only get the king to create a law forbidding people to praise anyone but him for thirty days. Daniel did pray and praise the Lord, and as a result was thrown in the pit with a lion. Verses 4-5 reads, "At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally, these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God." It even says that the king tried to prevent Daniel from going to the den/tried to help him get out of it and could not sleep or eat the night that Daniel was left in the den for dead.
In the end, the king finds that Daniel is alive and untouched by the lions in the morning. The king says in verse 26-27, "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."
Wow, God is so good! I took from this the obedience and diligence of Daniel to constantly serve God Almighty, no matter the laws or the decrees issued. He was reverent and still in the presence of God. I love that.
Daniel 7
Daniel talks about his dream and how visions entered his mind. Dreams and visions from God are something I was so unfamiliar with until someone pointed it out to me in Scripture. It is so clear that God wants to communicate with us in more ways than simply reading His Word and in prayer several times throughout Scripture. He wants to invade our sleep and give us dreams and visions from Heaven. How cool is that? I really like these verses from Daniel's dream, (verses 13-14), "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." WOO! I love that! Praise the Lord for mighty promises and great dreams and visions before Christ's coming : ) Poor Daniel, getting so much amazing insight and information for the end times in one night! It says he was terrified but kept the matter to himself. He must have felt so troubled and confused. It says that the dream was interpreted and laid out in this way in verses 23-27! Check it out and take notes! This is a slightly different translation than the NIV that I read but I really like to mix translations and get new insight. Here is the New Living Translation (NLT):
23 Then he said to me, “This fourth beast is the fourth world power that will rule the earth. It will be different from all the others. It will devour the whole world, trampling and crushing everything in its path. 24 Its ten horns are ten kings who will rule that empire. Then another king will arise, different from the other ten, who will subdue three of them. 25 He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time.
26 “But then the court will pass judgment, and all his power will be taken away and completely destroyed. 27 Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey him.”
Daniel 8
Daniel is rocked by God and is given even more insight and yet another example to help him understand the wrath of God that is to come in the end times. Then the angel Gabriel comes to him and tells him the interpretation! He was SO afraid, again! What an amazing and God-fearing experience that must have been for him! What an honor to be given that valuable information. I enjoy reading verses 19-25 because it paints the picture of the end times. I like in verse 25, "He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power." AMEN! I love how God allows us to understand that the end times will be very planned out and gives us the signs ahead of time. And how He so easily tells us, that He already has the victory! Hallelujah!
Today was a day of rest and aches and pains. I went through a surgical procedure today and had lots of stiff muscles and a sore side. I hope to feel like myself again soon. Needless to day, I am banned from lifting heavy things (such as my Bible) and did not have any desire to type on my blog, however, the Lord has given me strength and I have figured out a way to lay in bed and read without feeling pain. So with that being said, Daniel 5-8.
Daniel 5
First of all, the king mentioned in this chapter, his name is epic. It is King Belshazzar! Admittedly, this is the first time I can remember ever reading Daniel 5. This is a good thing. I need to be enlightened and taught more about Scripture, so it is nice to be informed of a new portion and not find myself re-reading and growing stale in what I know. That will make the parts of Scripture that I do know mean so much more and have a new life, when I return from reading new passages.
What I can take away from Daniel 5 is that you cannot be arrogant with high position and sovereignty that comes from being a leader. The king could not even learn from his father's mistakes and was so arrogant with his high position, too.
I want to be sure to learn from both king's mistakes and be sure to put my pride and arrogance aside as a leader in ministry. I am a natural leader with natural desires to lead and guide people. However, I need to remember that leadership qualities are a precious gift from God and I need to make sure that my leadership is reflective of God and not of myself. I need to be sure that all I think, do and say is glorifying the Lord. Thank you Lord, for teaching me about leadership in the book of Daniel with king Nebucchadnezzar and king Belshazzar!
Daniel 6
Wow! Love the lion's den story! The king's admin and satraps wanted to get a charge against Daniel but they could only get the king to create a law forbidding people to praise anyone but him for thirty days. Daniel did pray and praise the Lord, and as a result was thrown in the pit with a lion. Verses 4-5 reads, "At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally, these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God." It even says that the king tried to prevent Daniel from going to the den/tried to help him get out of it and could not sleep or eat the night that Daniel was left in the den for dead.
In the end, the king finds that Daniel is alive and untouched by the lions in the morning. The king says in verse 26-27, "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."
Wow, God is so good! I took from this the obedience and diligence of Daniel to constantly serve God Almighty, no matter the laws or the decrees issued. He was reverent and still in the presence of God. I love that.
Daniel 7
Daniel talks about his dream and how visions entered his mind. Dreams and visions from God are something I was so unfamiliar with until someone pointed it out to me in Scripture. It is so clear that God wants to communicate with us in more ways than simply reading His Word and in prayer several times throughout Scripture. He wants to invade our sleep and give us dreams and visions from Heaven. How cool is that? I really like these verses from Daniel's dream, (verses 13-14), "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." WOO! I love that! Praise the Lord for mighty promises and great dreams and visions before Christ's coming : ) Poor Daniel, getting so much amazing insight and information for the end times in one night! It says he was terrified but kept the matter to himself. He must have felt so troubled and confused. It says that the dream was interpreted and laid out in this way in verses 23-27! Check it out and take notes! This is a slightly different translation than the NIV that I read but I really like to mix translations and get new insight. Here is the New Living Translation (NLT):
23 Then he said to me, “This fourth beast is the fourth world power that will rule the earth. It will be different from all the others. It will devour the whole world, trampling and crushing everything in its path. 24 Its ten horns are ten kings who will rule that empire. Then another king will arise, different from the other ten, who will subdue three of them. 25 He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time.
26 “But then the court will pass judgment, and all his power will be taken away and completely destroyed. 27 Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey him.”
Daniel 8
Daniel is rocked by God and is given even more insight and yet another example to help him understand the wrath of God that is to come in the end times. Then the angel Gabriel comes to him and tells him the interpretation! He was SO afraid, again! What an amazing and God-fearing experience that must have been for him! What an honor to be given that valuable information. I enjoy reading verses 19-25 because it paints the picture of the end times. I like in verse 25, "He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power." AMEN! I love how God allows us to understand that the end times will be very planned out and gives us the signs ahead of time. And how He so easily tells us, that He already has the victory! Hallelujah!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Day Two: Daniel 3-4
Bula! ( that means hello in Fijian)
I hope that your day was as productive as mine turned out to be! It was a great day and here I am, day two in Daniel 3 and 4.
Daniel 3--one of my favorite stories of the Bible. I actually did not ever hear of the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago until last summer while reading the Bible on my own. So this was a nice refresher of where I was last year Biblically. It's a story of true trust in the Lord and His promises. I really love how they change the king's heart and beliefs and even the beliefs of the people by the end of chapter 3! Verse 26-27 are amazing, when he comes to the furnace and sees four men inside, an angel protecting the three men who stood up for their God and refused to worship a fake idol. Verse 28-29 reads, "Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago, who has sent his angel and rescued this servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago be cut into pieces and their houses turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way." A total change of belief and in total amazement, the king spoke that over the crowd witnessing this miracle. My text says the king issued the furnace to be seven times hotter than usual just to be sure the men would die inside. It also says the men who threw them in the furnace died from the heat. God preserved the men and changed people that day. Not to mention, He also gave these men a true affirmation that He is real and could work in their lives if they just believed. What a powerful testimony to have of being rescued from a furnace! Wow! The king seems to still have anger issues with saying, "if you don't do this, your home will be rubble!" lol but God was still working in him.
Daniel 4--God comes to king Neb. again in a dream and it troubles him again. Rather than seeking the interpretation from the sorcerers, and so forth as before, he goes straight to Daniel. Daniel interprets the dream and it was telling king Neb. to really listen to God and to renounce his sins and turn to God. King Neb. hears from God the same words that Daniel had spoken, leaves his people and lives in the woods for a long time, gaining sanity back. Verses 36-37 are wonderful it reads, "At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now, I Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King od heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble." I really enjoyed reading that because it is such a great testimony of how God changed his heart and transformed his way of thinking. It is so well worded and easily describes how that transformed mind happens when you decide that God is your everything and when you realize all that He is and can do. The Christian life is not easy, but God makes it the best path possible, every time, all the time.
Summary:
I learned to be diligent and unshakable when it comes to trusting in and holding true to my God. No matter the circumstance. Even in a furnace. Also that God can do so much, and is so much, that it's just time to trust Him and His perfect plan. Also, a great reminder of all that God has shaped and transformed in my life in the past two years. He has shown me and taught me so much of who He is in college, it is crazy. Thank you Lord for your greatness, faithfulness and for being the One True God! Amen!
I hope that your day was as productive as mine turned out to be! It was a great day and here I am, day two in Daniel 3 and 4.
Daniel 3--one of my favorite stories of the Bible. I actually did not ever hear of the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago until last summer while reading the Bible on my own. So this was a nice refresher of where I was last year Biblically. It's a story of true trust in the Lord and His promises. I really love how they change the king's heart and beliefs and even the beliefs of the people by the end of chapter 3! Verse 26-27 are amazing, when he comes to the furnace and sees four men inside, an angel protecting the three men who stood up for their God and refused to worship a fake idol. Verse 28-29 reads, "Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago, who has sent his angel and rescued this servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago be cut into pieces and their houses turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way." A total change of belief and in total amazement, the king spoke that over the crowd witnessing this miracle. My text says the king issued the furnace to be seven times hotter than usual just to be sure the men would die inside. It also says the men who threw them in the furnace died from the heat. God preserved the men and changed people that day. Not to mention, He also gave these men a true affirmation that He is real and could work in their lives if they just believed. What a powerful testimony to have of being rescued from a furnace! Wow! The king seems to still have anger issues with saying, "if you don't do this, your home will be rubble!" lol but God was still working in him.
Daniel 4--God comes to king Neb. again in a dream and it troubles him again. Rather than seeking the interpretation from the sorcerers, and so forth as before, he goes straight to Daniel. Daniel interprets the dream and it was telling king Neb. to really listen to God and to renounce his sins and turn to God. King Neb. hears from God the same words that Daniel had spoken, leaves his people and lives in the woods for a long time, gaining sanity back. Verses 36-37 are wonderful it reads, "At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now, I Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King od heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble." I really enjoyed reading that because it is such a great testimony of how God changed his heart and transformed his way of thinking. It is so well worded and easily describes how that transformed mind happens when you decide that God is your everything and when you realize all that He is and can do. The Christian life is not easy, but God makes it the best path possible, every time, all the time.
Summary:
I learned to be diligent and unshakable when it comes to trusting in and holding true to my God. No matter the circumstance. Even in a furnace. Also that God can do so much, and is so much, that it's just time to trust Him and His perfect plan. Also, a great reminder of all that God has shaped and transformed in my life in the past two years. He has shown me and taught me so much of who He is in college, it is crazy. Thank you Lord for your greatness, faithfulness and for being the One True God! Amen!
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