When they talk about Beauty and the Beast I thought about how I often think about people that are "gruff", including myself at times. "Underneath all his gruff exterior, the beast longed to be loved, to be understood." "Belle lives inside me: the girl who wants to be pursued, sought after, swept up, and rescued."
"Jesus takes our hand and guides us through this earthly journey, while all around us are the forces of darkness...'Say what you will, she is My Beloved."
It gave me comfort to hear about Kathy's experience with that song. (Although it was horrible and I hate that she had to go through that.) But it helped me to hear that someone else has followed the voice of God, only to be met with people that one might think would be happy for that abandon and following, but instead thought it was a gray area, or even that the steps that you take to follow God where the wrong ones. "Although it was extremely painful for me, it was one of those times in my life when I was convinced I had done what was pleasing to the Lord. The minute I did what God asked, a weight lifted from me." "Will I trust God even when there is no immediate reward?" Yes I will! "My life is in Your hand. My heart is in Your keepin."
The story of Lazarus really relates to my current situation and I think if you are going through any kind of wilderness you can put yourself into this story and learn something.
If Jesus would have just healed Lazarus it wouldn't have been such a deliverance. We have to tell Him "Lord, the one you love is sick." John 11:3b Jesus said "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." John 11:4 He didn't say that there wouldn't be death, He just said that the sickness wouldn't end in death. (Roughly remembered:>) John Piper says the Passion for the Supremacy of Christ is that we are most satisfied when God is most glorified.
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26
Our answer and Martha's - "Yes, Lord...I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." John 11:27
You are my Father, my Bridegroom, my Provider, my Defender, my Deliverer!
"...it is about a love affair with God. In that you will always be fulfilled."
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Killing Me Softly
"Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me." Song of Songs 2:10
Jesus calls us to go somewhere with Him. We don't just sit there and wait for Him to change things or do things for us. We have to come with Him - out of our muck and into His joy. "... I want to live in such a way that I continually let Him take me to higher places." "You know that you should heed His call, but you also know that change will be involved. That change can be painful." But that change is so worth it. But to make the change we have to "[carry] the stones to the water and [pile] them one by one on top of each other. After a while the water will begin to flow in a new way because it's been redirected. Eventually there's a brand new riverbank and the water flows with ease on a new path."
We have to get to the point that we are "intolerant of [our] sin" and as Kathy said (which really hit home with me), "let myself feel ' a little hungry, a little lonely'." But "nothing, absolutely nothing is worth losing the peace of God".
Our love for Him, our action, our daily lives are supposed to come from an "overflow of His love in [our] hearts."
God's desire for us is that we live in a "perpetual state of repentance". That we are constantly changing, growing, moving closer to Him and to His heart. We can't do that by stagnating in the same place. Keep a running note in your mind of what God is doing with you now. Think about the "kisses" that you have received from Him. What is He trying to show you? Some lessons are hard and take a long time (I'm going through some right now) but I don't ever want to feel like I am not striving to do and overcome all things through Christ who strengthens me.
He asks us to cry out to Him from our hearts, rather than wail upon our beds. Rather than wallowing in our sadness and mistakes let's cry out to the heart of God in repentance, for change and renewal.
From Seduction of the Lesser Gods " Without knowing fully what we are doing, we hide the things we secretly love and admire under our skirts, like Rachel, sitting primly and righteously on our camels, wondering why we are not whole, why we still suffer, why we feel unreconciled to the God we profess."
"And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness;
He encircled [Jacob], He instructed him,
He kept him as the apple of His eye.
As an eagle stirs up its nest,
Hovers over its young,
Spreading out its wings, taking them up,
Carrying them on its wings,
So the Lord alone led him."
Deuteronomy 32:10-12
Jesus calls us to go somewhere with Him. We don't just sit there and wait for Him to change things or do things for us. We have to come with Him - out of our muck and into His joy. "... I want to live in such a way that I continually let Him take me to higher places." "You know that you should heed His call, but you also know that change will be involved. That change can be painful." But that change is so worth it. But to make the change we have to "[carry] the stones to the water and [pile] them one by one on top of each other. After a while the water will begin to flow in a new way because it's been redirected. Eventually there's a brand new riverbank and the water flows with ease on a new path."
We have to get to the point that we are "intolerant of [our] sin" and as Kathy said (which really hit home with me), "let myself feel ' a little hungry, a little lonely'." But "nothing, absolutely nothing is worth losing the peace of God".
Our love for Him, our action, our daily lives are supposed to come from an "overflow of His love in [our] hearts."
God's desire for us is that we live in a "perpetual state of repentance". That we are constantly changing, growing, moving closer to Him and to His heart. We can't do that by stagnating in the same place. Keep a running note in your mind of what God is doing with you now. Think about the "kisses" that you have received from Him. What is He trying to show you? Some lessons are hard and take a long time (I'm going through some right now) but I don't ever want to feel like I am not striving to do and overcome all things through Christ who strengthens me.
He asks us to cry out to Him from our hearts, rather than wail upon our beds. Rather than wallowing in our sadness and mistakes let's cry out to the heart of God in repentance, for change and renewal.
From Seduction of the Lesser Gods " Without knowing fully what we are doing, we hide the things we secretly love and admire under our skirts, like Rachel, sitting primly and righteously on our camels, wondering why we are not whole, why we still suffer, why we feel unreconciled to the God we profess."
"And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness;
He encircled [Jacob], He instructed him,
He kept him as the apple of His eye.
As an eagle stirs up its nest,
Hovers over its young,
Spreading out its wings, taking them up,
Carrying them on its wings,
So the Lord alone led him."
Deuteronomy 32:10-12
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Love Me Tender
"In the same way, when you are persuaded - through the prophecies or the miracles or the changed lives of others - that Jesus is, indeed, who He claimed to be, when you come into a personal relationship with Him, when His Spirit bears witness with your spirit, you are overwhelmed by the "sudden glory".
Our perspectives should be different now. Are we looking for signs of His love? They're everywhere! Are we fascinated by His mind? Wow! He has wisdom for our individual lives.
"But whoever take a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life." John 4:14 - Oh Lord spring up in me a spring of water welling up to eternal life
"I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." John 15:5 - Oh Lord that I would bear much fruit with You because apart from you I can do nothing
Have you received any "kisses from the King" lately? No only are the revelations that He gives us so amazing, but the very thought that He cares enough to plant those seeds into our lives is amazing. To think that He would guide us to a certain scripture, or call someone to say something to us, the orquestrated events that He would put into our lives help us to know that we are so loved and treasured.
"I don't want to ever settle for less in my life when I've learned that God Almighty always has a higher plan."
I love this - "according to rabbinic tradition, a kiss from God is a living word of prophecy...In traditional Judaism, Jamie explains, the first five books of the Torah are kissed by the worshippers. (Actually, one kisses one's fingers and then touches the mantle of the Torah.) Kissing is an act of devotion, showing how dear the Word of God is."
"The root Hebrew word for kiss is nasaq, meaning 'to kindle, to catch fire.' Can you think of an example when the Word of God lit a fire in you?"
What a great way to look at communion or the Lord's Supper (depending on what you're used to calling it) - we are being called into His presence, to remember who Jesus was and what He did for us, because He truly loves us.
Mary of Bethany - "sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said." She was kissed by her King. I don't want to miss "a word, a tender inflection, a warm look, a gently kiss".
We do activity for God and that is needed, but let us not replace communion with God with activity for God. "...good deeds will naturally flow out of communion with Him."
I could definitely relate to this passage of the chapter: "My 'busyness' is often a way, I realize, to make myself feel like I have worth and purpose in this world. I want people to think I am valuable, important, and wise."
Oh, God, make me like Mary of Bethany - to concentrate on communion with You and trust You with everything else. All things that I do are for Your glory! What else is there? I pray, Lord, that You won't ever need a megaphone to get my attention again!
"'Ask,' promised Jesus, 'and it will be given to you' (Matthew 7:7). 'You do not have because you do not ask,' said James (James 4:2). Even though there is no limit to God's blessing, if you didn't ask him for a blessing yesterday, you didn't get all you were supposed to have." Bruce Wilkinson
Our perspectives should be different now. Are we looking for signs of His love? They're everywhere! Are we fascinated by His mind? Wow! He has wisdom for our individual lives.
"But whoever take a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life." John 4:14 - Oh Lord spring up in me a spring of water welling up to eternal life
"I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." John 15:5 - Oh Lord that I would bear much fruit with You because apart from you I can do nothing
Have you received any "kisses from the King" lately? No only are the revelations that He gives us so amazing, but the very thought that He cares enough to plant those seeds into our lives is amazing. To think that He would guide us to a certain scripture, or call someone to say something to us, the orquestrated events that He would put into our lives help us to know that we are so loved and treasured.
"I don't want to ever settle for less in my life when I've learned that God Almighty always has a higher plan."
I love this - "according to rabbinic tradition, a kiss from God is a living word of prophecy...In traditional Judaism, Jamie explains, the first five books of the Torah are kissed by the worshippers. (Actually, one kisses one's fingers and then touches the mantle of the Torah.) Kissing is an act of devotion, showing how dear the Word of God is."
"The root Hebrew word for kiss is nasaq, meaning 'to kindle, to catch fire.' Can you think of an example when the Word of God lit a fire in you?"
What a great way to look at communion or the Lord's Supper (depending on what you're used to calling it) - we are being called into His presence, to remember who Jesus was and what He did for us, because He truly loves us.
Mary of Bethany - "sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said." She was kissed by her King. I don't want to miss "a word, a tender inflection, a warm look, a gently kiss".
We do activity for God and that is needed, but let us not replace communion with God with activity for God. "...good deeds will naturally flow out of communion with Him."
I could definitely relate to this passage of the chapter: "My 'busyness' is often a way, I realize, to make myself feel like I have worth and purpose in this world. I want people to think I am valuable, important, and wise."
Oh, God, make me like Mary of Bethany - to concentrate on communion with You and trust You with everything else. All things that I do are for Your glory! What else is there? I pray, Lord, that You won't ever need a megaphone to get my attention again!
"'Ask,' promised Jesus, 'and it will be given to you' (Matthew 7:7). 'You do not have because you do not ask,' said James (James 4:2). Even though there is no limit to God's blessing, if you didn't ask him for a blessing yesterday, you didn't get all you were supposed to have." Bruce Wilkinson
Monday, November 3, 2008
It Had to Be You
Ephesians 1:4-5
Kathy says that she is overwhelmed by the amazing things that she gets to experience because God has given her a voice. Can you complete this sentence based on what God has give you?
"I am overwhelmed by some of the amazing things I get to experience because God has given me..."
How great! "It is a precious thought to think that Jesus, our Bridegroom, is preparing a place for us, looking forward to the time when He will come and take us home. We feel sure that He hopes we are also anticipating this day. For what bridegroom wants an apathetic bride?"
I love how they compare the first bride (Eve) with the last bride (the Bride of Christ). That comparison tells us that God is lonely for us, looking for the completion of His holy Bride and that we are to reflect the nature of Christ. As we prepare for our Bridegroom's return we are to prepare our character instead of our gowns. Prepare our characters with purity, radiance, integrity and growing devotion to Him.
Purity - "For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]." Philippians 4:8
"For then [changing their impure language] I will give to the people a clear and pure speech from pure lips, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one unanimous consent and one united shoulder [bearing the yoke of the Lord]." Zephaniah 3:9
"Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are}sinner, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]." James4:8
Radiance - "Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalm 34:5
Integrity - "The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the willful contrariness and crookedness of the treacherous shall destroy them." Proverbs 11:3
"Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God." Ephesians 6:14
Growing devotion to Him - "But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)! 2 Peter 3:18
Are we happy? "Happy is fleeting...The goal is loving Jesus. Then, and only then, do you experience an inextinguishable joy."
Will He catch us? Yes. So, if I die to _____, will He catch me? Yes!
Kathy says that she is overwhelmed by the amazing things that she gets to experience because God has given her a voice. Can you complete this sentence based on what God has give you?
"I am overwhelmed by some of the amazing things I get to experience because God has given me..."
How great! "It is a precious thought to think that Jesus, our Bridegroom, is preparing a place for us, looking forward to the time when He will come and take us home. We feel sure that He hopes we are also anticipating this day. For what bridegroom wants an apathetic bride?"
I love how they compare the first bride (Eve) with the last bride (the Bride of Christ). That comparison tells us that God is lonely for us, looking for the completion of His holy Bride and that we are to reflect the nature of Christ. As we prepare for our Bridegroom's return we are to prepare our character instead of our gowns. Prepare our characters with purity, radiance, integrity and growing devotion to Him.
Purity - "For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]." Philippians 4:8
"For then [changing their impure language] I will give to the people a clear and pure speech from pure lips, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one unanimous consent and one united shoulder [bearing the yoke of the Lord]." Zephaniah 3:9
"Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are}sinner, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]." James4:8
Radiance - "Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalm 34:5
Integrity - "The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the willful contrariness and crookedness of the treacherous shall destroy them." Proverbs 11:3
"Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God." Ephesians 6:14
Growing devotion to Him - "But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)! 2 Peter 3:18
Are we happy? "Happy is fleeting...The goal is loving Jesus. Then, and only then, do you experience an inextinguishable joy."
Will He catch us? Yes. So, if I die to _____, will He catch me? Yes!
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