How long will we wander, before returning to Him?

Archive for December, 2012

31) Covered By His Blessings

Day 32 reading: Exodus, chapters 4-6

I’m just going to jump right into today’s scripture passage because I am excited and really feeling this. A recurring theme today is Moses’ own insecurity about speaking the words of God.

Moses said to the Lord, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant, I am slow of speech and tongue.”

The Lord said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him his sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (4:10-12, NIV)

Marilyn teaching Salt Light studyI am there! Friends, let me admit now that I am not eloquent in my speech, either. When I write, I feel like the words absolutely flow out of me. My fingers dance across the keyboard in a lovely little rhythm. Everything flows and all is well in the world.

However, when I try to speak, even simple every-day conversation, even with my own family and friends, I feel like I am tripping and falling on my face at every turn. Can anyone relate?

There was a time in my life when the words didn’t flow as easily onto the page or computer, but I was much more self-assured in my speech. It’s as if I have traded one for the other; like I can’t have them both at the same time. Very interesting dynamic, I think. (frustrating, at times…but interesting just the same)

But here’s the cool part: when it’s truly crunch time, when what I am saying aloud is serious and sound and uplifting to Him, the words flow exactly as they should. When everything is clicking, I couldn’t write the words better and they take no thought, no obsessing, no processing, the words just flow from my mouth. The difference is that when the Lord is guiding my words and those words are falling on ears prepared by Him to truly hear, it’s not me speaking, but Him speaking through me.

The Lord said to him, “Who gave man his mouth?”

Amen, my Father, amen! Message received!

Yet even Moses, who had been directly called by the Lord, who had spoken to the Lord on several occasions, was still not sure of his abilities to speak and pass along the Word of God.

Moses said to the Lord, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent…I am slow of speech and tongue.” (4:10)

But Moses said to the Lord, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?” (6:12, NIV)

But Moses said to the Lord, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?” (6:30, NIV)

But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” (4:13, NIV)

Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on  his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.” (4:14-16, NIV)

Again and again so far in our journey, and in our current days, God makes amendments in the plan to account for our very human shortfalls. It doesn’t effect the end result, but sometimes the twists and turns our humanness put into His mighty plan for our lives have to be frustrating to Him.

How many times in my own doubts and fears have I put a wrench in God’s plans for my own life? Too many for ME to count, I’m sure! The joy in this is that as long as we are seeking to please Him with our steps, as long as we are praying for His guidance, even our slips will only cause stumbles, but not falls. He’s got YOU, have no fear!

My friends, I am so glad to be covered by His blessings.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 32 reading: Exodus, chapters 7-9

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Exodus, Faith, Gifts & Talents, Prayer, Seeing God, Trust

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30) “The more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread”

We are 30 days in and on into the Book of Exodus; this is a very exciting day!

Today’s reading: Exodus, chapters 1-3Snapshot_20121230_6

OK, so today we have baby Moses in his basket and Pharaoh’s daughter, and the Lord speaking to Moses out of the burning bush. We’ve heard these pieces preached, we’ve discussed them in Sunday School classes. But one particular verse caught my attention and I would like to focus on that for our chronological post of the day.

But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. (1:12, NIV)

Doesn’t this hold true still today? When we stand firm on our beliefs, no matter how the oppression comes at us and no matter what form it comes in, we will remain empowered.

The more they were oppressed. On journeys like the one we are on together, we are bound to find oppression coming on us because the evil one does not want our foundation to be strong. He wants us to be weak and easy to push around, so he’s going to bring his oppressive forces out against us more and more, the stronger we are and the more focused on the Lord that we become.

The more they were multiplied and spread. In all that we do, it is our primary duty as God’s children to spread His good news. This is one reason I have chosen a public forum to move through through this chronological Bible study journey (but mainly it’s so that I am held accountable every day to read and journal), and I am so appreciative for all the positive feedback I have received from those of you who are journeying with me. When the good news of the Lord our God spreads, as those who know and believe His Word are multiplied, He is glorified. That is our duty.

[The oppressors] came to dread [the oppressed] and worked them ruthlessly. Evil dreads being around those who walk with the Lord.  I imagine it’s like in the movies when Holy Water is splashed on a demon-possessed character and there are shrieks of pain. We can defeat evil with Good, and this foundation that we are building together is such a critical step.

I’m glad we’re on this road together.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 31 reading: Exodus, chapters 4-6

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Exodus, Perseverance, Trust

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29) Beginnings & the End of Genesis

Today is our last day in the book of Genesis. For me, this has been a great “beginning.” This journey through through the Bible is only going to get better, more moving, more powerful, and more empowering as the year continues!

Day 29 reading: Genesis, chapters 48-50

Wow, today’s scripture passage makes pretty quick work of two main characters we’ve been studying in the previous days, Israel and Joseph. It’s interesting to me how some details in the Bible are so thorough and they’ll be followed by a few paragraphs that span decades.

The first piece of scripture that really grabbed me in today’s reading was from Joseph’s visit with his father, on Israel’s death bed,

Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.” (48:11, NIV)

Newborn CharlotteThis one sentence makes a lump form in my throat so large I can hardly swallow. I lost my dear maternal grandparents before they were able to see our youngest daughter, and oh how I know they would be so tickled by her. But I console myself with the knowledge that they do see her, and all the children, every single day. I know they guard my children, my mother, and myself all the time and I know they see and care for everything we do. I miss them terribly, but I know they are smiling down on us and giggling every time one of the kids do something silly, are proud of their every accomplishment, and watch eagerly for us to right our wrongs.

When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew up his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people. (49:33, NIV)

So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them: They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite, along with the field. (50:12-13, NIV)

Then, after all that had been done for them, and all that Joseph had provided, and all the years together in Egypt, the brothers start to worry once again. Once their father had passed, they figured Joseph’s true feelings of hatred would come spilling out, so once again they tricked him, or attempted to.

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of  God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. (50:19-21, NIV)

And before we know it, Joseph is speaking his dying words to his brothers.

“God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” (50:25, NIV)

Even in death Joseph remained true to the path of the Lord. His concern was for his brothers, to reassure them that they would be provided for. Joseph’s life mirrored so well the life that a Christian should lead: one of grace and forgiveness even when human nature would return hate with hate. Joseph loved as we are each called to love, unconditionally.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

In Day 30, we’ll dive into the book of Exodus, chapters 1-3

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Children, Genesis, Prayer, Trust

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VENTURE OUT RECAP: Eliminate Clutter

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So, the challenge from December 26 was to eliminate clutter, specifically 100 items of clutter.

I actually enjoy spring cleaning…any time of the year. And I find it especially necessary after the holidays when I feel absolutely claustrophobic from all of the decorations, new gifts, and togetherness.

If the weather hadn’t have been so gross the day of this challenge, I would have tackled the garage, too, but instead I focused my clutter elimination efforts indoors. Curio cabinets, book shelves, closets, etc. some stuff gets sold–either on Ebay or local consignment shops–or donated. There was also at least an extra bag of trash that day, too!

I’m definitely 100 items lighter, and it feels so good!

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Venture Out!

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VENTURE OUT RECAP: Eliminate Clutter

So, the challenge from December 26 was to eliminate clutter, specifically 100 items of clutter.

I actually enjoy spring cleaning…any time of the year. And I find it especially necessary after the holidays when I feel absolutely claustrophobic from all of the decorations, new gifts, and togetherness.

If the weather hadn’t have been so gross the day of this challenge, I would have tackled the garage, too, but instead I focused my clutter elimination efforts indoors. Curio cabinets, book shelves, closets, etc. some stuff gets sold–either on Ebay or local consignment shops–or donated. There was also at least an extra bag of trash that day, too!

I’m definitely 100 items lighter, and it feels so good!

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Venture Out!

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28) Resolutions & Life Themes

Click to visit MyOneWord.org

Click to visit MyOneWord.org

As 2013 quickly approaches, I am hearing all about New Year’s resolutions, theme scripture verses, theme songs, or even choosing a single word to help define the coming year. And, although I am usually quite against setting resolutions, per se, the inspiring power behind setting a theme all your own for 2013 is awesome to me! So, let me encourage you all to choose an empowering theme scripture to guide your own way in the coming year, or, at the very least, choose One Word to encompass your hopes and dreams for 2013.

My word for 2013: PUSH ~~PUSH forward, PUSH beyond, PUSH yourself, PUSH (and encourge) others, PUSH through. PUSH!

Day 28 reading: Genesis, chapters 46-47

Have you ever had a dear friend that you haven’t seen in ages, and when you finally see them the joy is just uncontrollable? You run together, like something out of a romantic comedy, and hug and cry and are just so filled with excitement and happiness? That’s such fun and such a special reunion. Now, imagine if that person were your own father, with whom you had a close bond.

As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.” (46:29, NIV)

Isn’t it a beautiful scene? Doesn’t it just make you smile to just read of Israel and Joseph’s heartfelt reunion?

I wonder how Joseph’s brothers were able to accept his high position in Egypt? They were jealous of him before for being their father’s favorite son. But now they were also dealing with Joseph being a national hero and savior for the Egyptians through seven years of hard drought. I’m sure everywhere they turned, they heard, “Joseph this…” and “Joseph that…” Hopefully their hearts were changed by this point in history and they found their way around the jealousy to see that God had worked through them all the entire time and that this was their end result.

Friends, I want to be better at seeing the end result, big picture, before I make costly mistakes. I want to be able to see the good in people before I have the opportunity to first see the bad and stick my foot in my mouth. I want to do the will of the Lord in my life, no matter the cost, and I want to have the forgiveness and foresight of Joseph to see that even the pain is all in God’s plan for the big picture. Every day of our chronological journey through the Bible, I can feel my footing getting stronger and more supportive. I can feel God smiling down on us as we read His Word, sometimes scratching our heads, but nose in the book, working through and working for that foundation in Him! Now is a great time to PUSH forward!

Make it a great day,

Day 29 Reading: Genesis, chapters 48-50 (the last day in Genesis)

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Faith, Genesis, Health & Well Being, Trust

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27) Our Christian History

Have you, like me, ever messed something up so many times that you knew no one would ever put that duty in your hands again or ever trust you with another important task ever again, just to end up HAVING to do that task–or one similar–again and really have to beg and plead to be allowed to do what you KNOW you HAVE to do? That was one long, rambling sentence, but sufficed to say, I can relate to Joseph’s brother, Judah, when he is begging his father to allow Benjamin to go along to Egypt so that they will be allowed to buy food and not starve.

Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die. I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life. As it is, if we had not delayed, we could have gone and returned twice.” (43:8-10, NIV)

This is a day of relating to the Word!

Day 27 Reading: Genesis, chapters 43-45

Then Israel (earlier known as Jacob) said to them, “may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your brother and Benjamin come back with you” (43:14, NIV).

Don’t I know the feeling. In these times when I’ve had to absolutely beg for one more chance to do something the right way, and am granted that opportunity, don’t I know that those who grant it are just praying that this time, please God, let it work!

Remember, Simeon was still back in Egypt, imprisoned, as ransom. No one knew what ever came of Joseph (boy, are they about to find out!). And Israel”s next favorite son is the meal ticket necessary to keep the entire family from starvation.

Israel did send them on their way, but before they left him, he felt such pain that all he could say was, “As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.” (43:14, NIV) Sometimes don’t you want to throw your hands up, when you’re in such pain that you really don’t know how you’re going to get through it. Sometimes, even if just for a moment, don’t you just want to say, ‘It is what it is.’ or, as Israel, “if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

Oh, but friends, who needs the movies when you have stories like these! This is the exciting climax I was so eager to continue reading from yesterday. After Joseph had fed his brothers and manipulated some things, still unknown to them, he finally couldn’t contain his secret any longer. I love this! The entire 45th chapter of Genesis is just so beautiful and touching; can’t you just feel the joy they felt?!

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!”

So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?”

But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. (45:1-3, NIV)

Joseph: “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you…God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not your who sent me here, but God.” (45:5 & 7-8, NIV)

Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him. (45:14-15, NIV)

So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.”

Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.

And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.” (45:25-28, NIV)

Kelsey archeryIsn’t that such a touching piece of our history? My daughter, Kelsey, told me recently that she thinks it’s sad that girls don’t generally like the subject of history (before you female history buffs out there–and I know some of you by name–start on your comments, remember, she’s a pre-teen…’nuff said ;-) ). Her solution is pretty cool, though: that she wants to write a history book that would teach the girls the history in a way that would interest them. She was specifically talking about various wars. Her class is studying the Civil War now, and the Korean War also came up in discussion, so the subject of war is fresh on her brain. I thought it was a genius plan! I have never been very interested in the study of history and it is only now that I really see how much I missed out on by only memorizing enough for the test and letting so much interesting stuff fall by the way side.

This journey through the Bible chronologically is also our history, it is our Christian history, and the part that is no longer taught in public schools. I remember when I was my daughter’s age, we prayed every day (in public school) and said the Pledge of Allegiance every day (“under God” and all!). Now, God is taboo in public, but that means that we have to be even stronger in our foundation and our convictions!

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Day 28 Reading: Genesis, 46-47

Category:

Children, Faith, Genesis, Healing, Trust

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VENTURE OUT!

Adventure awaits you, but sometimes you are going to have to step outside to see it…
Outside of your comfort zone.
Outside of your house.
Outside of your family.
Outside of your schedule.
Outside of your version of normal.

There’s not an app that will give us adventure! There’s not a book that will do the work for us. This moment is about adding the spice to life that doesn’t come without some effort…but it’s sooo worth the effort!

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So, here’s the deal:  Every morning (CST), RS2H will post a Venture Out Daily Challenge on our RS2H Facebook page. Facebook is going to be the primary platform for this particular adventure for several reasons, but most importantly 1) because not everyone wants to get several emails a day from RS2H, so this saves the website subscribers some frustration, 2) Facebook is great because any time you participate in a daily challenge, RS2H would LOVE for you to post some pictures our comment on your challenge, and 3) because, let’s face it, Facebook reaches more people than any current social media outlet available right now…it’s just the way to go!

I would like to encourage you to “Like” us on Facebook if you haven’t already, so you will see these Venture Out challenges in your morning news feed…just in case you want to play along with our fun!!

Then, at least once a week, I will also post a video post or photo posting here on the website dedicated to one of the weekly challenges. This is going to be such fun!

Sometimes these daily challenges will be silly, sometimes serious, sometimes strenuous, sometimes easy, sometimes the challenge truly won’t be feasible for you…they’re going to run the gamut, but here’s hoping that this community of believers enjoys the fun that is possible through these challenges and breaking out of the ho-hum a little…while still following the Road Signs every step of the way!

God gave you and I these earthly lives to be lived! Let’s do this!!!

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Health & Well Being, Venture Out!

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26) God spoke through Joseph

Some days I wish our reading was more theme-grouped. For instance we ended yesterday’s reading and begin today’s reading with dream interpretation. I know there are several places throughout the Bible where the Lord speaks to people through dreams, or dreams have to be interpreted, and I would love to study those as a whole for comparison. Maybe next year! Until then, we will continue our reading, chronologically. I am no history buff, but I can already tell that I am putting some pieces together in Biblical history, just from our 26 days together. I’m looking forward to all the further knowledge we’ll gain from continuing our study.

Day 26 reading: Genesis, chapters 41-42

God used Joseph to interpret the cup holder and baker’s dreams in yesterday’s reading, and the Pharaoh’s dreams in today’s. Joseph gives all the glory to God, and, in turn, God spoke through Joseph.

sky sunset stormEvery day that I wake up from a night full of dreams, I wonder ‘why did I just dream that?’ I analyze, I think through, I go over and over through the details of the dream, and I wonder at it’s cosmic meaning. Like I said yesterday (also within our dream-theme), I am resigned now to believe that if the dream is of great importance, God will be sure I:

  1. remember it in the morning
  2. understand it’s deep meaning
  3. that the details and instructions are laid out for me Barney-style (so simplified that even I can get what He’s trying to tell me).

I think anymore that God has resorted to speaking to me in my deepest prayers, and in our quiet time together; I think He knows that at least then I’m the most open to whatever He has to share with me, and under those circumstances, I will better accept any message He has for me.

Does anyone else feel this way? Like it better be REALLY obvious if God wants to speak to you through your dreams because, let’s face it, we have some really strange dreams sometimes. Scary at times, day to day stuff at other times, romantic, even sometimes dirty; and every time don’t you just wake up and wonder, ‘why???’ I do!

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” (41:39-40, NIV)

God does some strange things, sometimes, at least by human standards. But, just like he allowed Joseph to be sold into slavery by his brothers, then spend years in prison just to be freed and made second only to the Pharaoh; when we remain true to Him and His calling for our lives, He is able to work through us as He did through Joseph. There’s no account where Joseph doubted that God was working in Him. Joseph knew God was with him. And, no matter the worldly circumstances, Joseph took comfort in that knowledge.

Then, after seven years of feasting and in the midst of seven years of famine, Jacob sent all but one of Joseph’s brothers to Egypt for food; he sent them unknowingly to their long-lost brother, Joseph. Can you imagine how Joseph’s face flushed when he first saw his brothers?

I know too well the feeling of running into someone that I haven’t seen in a long time but didn’t get along with when I did see them. Or, some quarrel or disagreement came between you which has never really been resolved, just swept under the rug. That issue is all but forgotten when suddenly, without warning, there’s that person who caused you so much pain or anger or guilt. In that first moment of seeing them, isn’t it like going through a thousand different emotions in a split second? When you’ve lived life like I have, you’ve made some enemies, you’ve wronged some people, you’ve left things undone, and you’ve tried to forget the pain in the past. But the flush that goes through you when you see that person again or when something reminds you of that memory hits hard.

As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. ”Where do you come from?” he asked.

“From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”

Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. (42: 7-8, NIV)

I gather from that passage that Joseph’s initial reaction was perfectly human anger and distrust.

Just like I wish we were studying these few day’s worth of passages by theme, I also found that I wanted to keep reading even when I reached the end of today’s study passage. We reach an exciting climax in the story of Joseph and his brothers, just as we reach the end.

As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened.

Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!”

Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back.”

But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.” (42: 35-38, NIV)

My heart caught in my chest. I can’t wait for Joseph to see Benjamin and for all to be right, again, in their family. I want Jacob to see his dear son, alive! I want to see the brother’s faces when they realize who they’ve been bowing down to, that brother whom they envied so that they thought of killing him. This is such an interesting part of the Bible and I am so enjoying reading it all, chronologically, with completely fresh eyes and a heart only for God.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 27 reading: Genesis, chapters 43-45

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Faith, Genesis, Healing, Prayer, Quiet time, Seeing God, Trust

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25) What Dreams May Come

Day 25 reading: Genesis, chapters 38-40

Today we begin with one of Jacob’s 12 sons, Judah. Many times I feel a lot like Judah, as I go about life, not seeking God’s guidance and direction, but making my own human judgments. Judah did not seek His wisdom in any areas of his life and paid dearly, and all of this while his own father was mourning the loss of his son, Joseph.

Meanwhile, The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master (39:2, NIV). And, as a result of the Lord being with Joseph, The Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian (39:5, NIV).

But the portion of today’s reading that is particularly interesting to me is the part about the dream interpretations the Lord works through Joseph, while Joseph, the cup bearer and the baker were imprisoned. I have been a student of dream interpretation for decades. My earliest memory of journaling about my dreams was in the fifth grade or so, and I only remember that because I remember the computer I was using at the time.

tandy1000ex-ad(The Tandy 1000, my first “real” computer–it’s particularly funny to see, now, with the iPhones and tablets and hand-held gadgets  even my five year old has these days, but back in the day I thought this giant computer was awesome!!! By the way, this is the exact computer I had, complete with the stand you see in this old ad. It was HUGE. It took up my entire desk…plus there’s the printer and the joysticks and the diskettes….ahhh, those were the days.)

I have filled pages and diaries and journals with my own dreams and the interpretations that these books have taught me, but no matter what these dreams that flow so freely while I sleep have never made sense in their interpretations. The explanations of what driving or eating or a grandparent sighting or a child’s birth meant never seem to coincide with the explanations of any other aspect of the dream. Finally, I gave up trying to interpret my dreams, I tossed out all of the books that teetered on the side of non-Christian, and I stopped scribbling notes in the darkness of night with keywords or catch phrases to keep handy for the next morning when I could attempt to make sense of it all.

Joseph said to [the cup bearer and baker], “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (40:8, NIV)

In all of those years of documenting and researching the meaning of my countless dreams, I cannot remember one time consulting with God. I have always felt dreams were such powerful things, and even through my Christian walk, I have still left interpretation to human minds.

Now, though I am still curious when I have a particularly off-beat dream what it’s supposed to be telling me, I obsess about it much less. I figure that if God is trying to tell me something or give me a special task, He will make it clear enough that I won’t misunderstand. Friends, I know there are areas of my own life where I need to let go and let God (I don’t remember where that phrase originated, but I think it’s about as old as the Tandy 1000 ;-) ). Seeking Him and trusting Him in all of life’s moments will bring us eternal prosperity, no matter where our worldly circumstances take us.

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Day 26 reading: Genesis, chapters 41-42

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Faith, Genesis, Seeing God, Trust

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24) Prides comes before the fall

As I began today’s reading, I had just finished my Bible study lesson on the pride of King Uzziah, and how pride can be our ultimate downfall when we allow it to take hold. Pride says that we are in charge, which puts us in the place of God. It’s a slippery slope.

Bible study toolsFor instance, this chronological study has gained some attention, and some readers have even chosen to subscribe to this blog because of what you’ve read here. That excites me to no end but not because that makes me anything special, it means that there are people out there who are also interested in strengthening their foundation through the Word and that this blog was at the right place at the right time. I’m not pretending here that my words are Spirit led or inspired but I promise you, friends, that I pray constantly that the words I write herein and the understanding I gain from each days scripture reading bring glory to God. Subscribing means you’re along for the ride and that is very exciting!

So, all that to say that I’ve got pride on the brain and it still seems fitting with our 24th day of reading, too.

Day 24 reading: Genesis, chapters 35-37

Right off the bat let me reference the verse that points to foreign gods still being a part of Jacob’s family’s life. With all that God, the Lord of all, has done and spoken to Jacob I am absolutely blown away by this.

So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” (35:2-3, NIV)

I guess that answers the question of what happened to Laban’s gods that Rachel hidden in chapter 31 (day 22), but how tragic that even after all of God’s provisions for Jacob and his family, that they were still holding on to those no-good, crummy gods.

Don’t we do that, too? I know that I have a tendency to take hold of Him and His Word but still want to cling to some (or even most) of my old ways. Is there more comfort in the old ways that have landed us where we are today, or more comfort in the God that is with us always, knowing all and being all? My heart says the latter but my human nature still clings to the things of this world. How to overcome? I would love to know anyone’s thoughts on this that feel compelled to share.

The second portion of today’s reading is the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors; a story we have heard since we were young ones in Sunday School and VBS, then as we age and were introduced to the musical rendition. We’ve heard this story from every angle, and today I am looking at it with pride in mind.

Joseph’s brothers were so proud and so jealous of him that they sold him into slavery. I do think it is a sad telling of the nature of man that even with all that Jacob went through to overcome his own parents favoritism, Jacob played favorites with his own.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons. (37:3, NIV)

Maybe it is natural for parents to favor some children over others. In a house like ours, the immediate needs are the ones that consume our time, as parents, so sometimes my husband and I find that we need to reset. We realize that the better behaved children have not gotten the attention they deserve because we have been so busy dealing with the issues. Jacob played favorites with Joseph and made a clear difference between he and his other sons. And in their anger and pride, the lesser sons took Josephs life in their own hands.

Pride makes us to terrible things, think terrible thoughts, and take the focus off of God, our Creator, our Source, and our Provider of all. Pride makes me talk when I really should listen. It makes me act when I know I should be still. It makes me think thoughts that are unhealthy and knock me off of His path.

In this journey through the Bible chronologically, I know we will study example after example of one’s pride coming before their fall. I hope having a stronger foundation in the Word will help each of us battle pride with scripture and win our sin natures for our Lord.

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Day 25 reading: Genesis, chapters 38-40

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Children, Genesis

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23) Still Struggling to do His Will

Day 23 reading: Genesis, chapters 32-34

We have two important stories in today’s reading. First, Jacob seemingly making amends with his brother, Esau, whom he once tricked out of his birthright then out of his blessing.  The passage begins with mention of Jacob being met by an unknown number of angels of God; we don’t know what the circumstances were or what was told to Jacob in that meeting, but we know that next Jacob begins to pursue a renewed relationship with his brother, so I am of a mind to think that Jacob was instructed in that meeting to make amends with Esau.

Jacob went above and beyond in this pursuing of Esau; taking part defensive and protective measures (by breaking up his flock of livestock as well as people) and proactive (by sending gifts ahead for Esau). All of these measures either worked beautifully or they weren’t necessary in the first place, as when Jacob met up with Esau, he asked,

“What do you mean by all these droves I met?”

“To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” Jacob said.

But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.” (33:8-9, NIV)

Esau met Jacob with love and welcomed him with open arms. Yet, at the first opportunity, Jacob took his clan away, again, from Esau.

So that day Esau started on his wy back to Seir. Jacob, however, went to Succoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. (33:16, NIV).

The second well-known story from today’s reading is the story of Dinah, Jacob’s daughter by Leah, and her defilement by Shechem.

I begin to question Jacob’s thought processes here. He has wrestled with God. He has prayed. And, yet, he seems to be doing something that was not in God’s plan for his human life. Instead of reuniting with his twin brother, Esau, Jacob went elsewhere and, there, his family was discraced by sexual impurity, and the reaction of his sons against that impurity. They departed from God, tricking the people of Hamor and Shechem.

earth_1_apollo17Is it just me or does Jacob’s human sin nature make you feel a little bit better about our own faults? Jacob “saw God face to face, and yet [his] life was spared” (32:30, NIV). Jacob, grandson of Abraham, who walked with God, received direct instruction from God and was often in direct contact with God and His angels, and yet he still goes his own way so often. This is half relief and half additional stressor. Jacob saw God and still disobeys. This makes me in all of my humanness feel a little better about the constant battles I have between what is right by God and that I know will not bring Him favor. It makes me a little stressed, because I figure if even someone who hears directly from God can do wrong…what about me?

Obviously, this is one of those days when this awesome trip through the Bible is doing more tripping me up than making my path clearer.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 24′s reading: Genesis, chapters 35-37

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Genesis, Seeing God

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22) When He Speaks

Day 22 reading: Genesis, chapters 30-31

Horton Family 2009Again, the cultural differences between the time period we’re reading through and the time period we are living in are so vastly different, yet the lessons are universal. Although many men joke about having more than one wife, and mistresses, concubines, etc…all my logical mind can think is, “How did they afford all of those kids?” Steve and I have five kids, two of which are now grown and on their own (his, mine, and ours, in case you’re doing the math), and it’s still a stretch to pay for them all! Jacob had at least six sons with Leah alone, not to mention all of the other children. Good grief. That would just stress my husband out!

Today, though, what really interests me is how God sometimes takes us in a completely different direction than we initially planned. Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” (31:3, NIV)

And I return, also, to a question I posed yesterday about the IF’s and the THEN’s and the Lord God of Jacob’s father, Isaac, rather than claiming Him as his own. Jacob responds here to God’s calling back to his homeland, “the God of my father has been with me” (31:5, NIV), and my reaction is completely different. Today–and maybe it’s a difference in the way it is used–I see the God of my father reference more as a reverence for all that his father, Isaac, and his father before him, Abraham, had done and promised, and that Jacob was being protected because of those promises. The way I read today’s scripture, Jacob believes that God is protecting him and his family because of his forefather’s obedient lives.

Then, God speaks to Jacob in a dream, and reminds him of the vow Jacob made to God (or the “test,” whichever way you want to look at it): “I am the god of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.” (31:13, NIV)

As Jacob is sharing this dream with his wives, I love that for the first time recorded, the sisters actually agree. “Do whatever God has told you” (31:16, NIV). So many women take issue with submission to a husband, male-figure, or even any other authority figure in their lives. I know, I used to be one of them. But then I realized that if you are following the direction of someone who is faithful to God and is putting godly direction above all else, then submitting to that is nothing negative and can only have positive outcomes.

I find the stealing of Laban’s gods (statues, I suppose?) an interesting twist of events. Yet, even once God came to Laban in a dream, telling him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either god or bad,” Laban still obsesses and hunts for his gods among Jacob’s things (31:24, NIV). I have said this before and I will most likely say it a hundred times more, but if God spoke directly to me, in a dream or otherwise…I WOULD LISTEN. (I hope) But certainly, if God spoke directly to me, I would no longer doubt (if I doubted before) the existence and omnipresence of the Lord our God. And, I would absolutely, without a doubt, STOP looking for the other gods. I truly don’t understand this part of the history.

Today, as I was going about my daily thinks, I recalled a memory of a babysitter I once had. Penny was a kind, Christian woman with bright red hair and a love for God. Penny loved to watch soap operas, but once she became a Christian, she traded in her Guiding Light and As The World Turns for a Christian soap opera (which, I still think is a complete contradiction). I always thought it absurd that a Christian soap (“stories”) even existed, and especially since I was never around soap operas (thank you, Mom) I really didn’t see the thrill of any of them, Christian-based or not. But now I see. Soap operas began in the beginning! We have read Job and much of Genesis and we’ve already got enough material for some pretty juicy stories. Drama has always been around; it didn’t begin with the Valley Girls of the 80′s; it began with a piece of fruit in a garden that was too tempting for human will to resist. Friends, we can’t always escape the drama, but we can control the ways we allow the drama to effect our lives, and how we respond. Hopefully, by rebuilding our foundation on the Lord, we will approach the stories of life in the healthiest way possible, and always trust in the Lord, our Provider, to bring us home to safety.

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Day 23′s reading: Genesis, chapters 32-34

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Faith, Genesis, Seeing God, Trust

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21) Giving God an Ultimatum?

Congratulations to us for reaching the 21-day mark. We have officially made God a habit! Making God a priority in our lives begins with having a strong foundation in the Word. After all, if we don’t know what God said, how are we going to truly know how to behave or what to believe when the world seems to be attacking from all angels? Stick with this, friends, and we will all learn that lesson together!

Day 21 reading: Genesis, chapters 27-29

In today’s passage, we get into the stories of Isaac and his sons Esau the skillful hunter and man of the open country, and Jacob who was a quiet man, staying among the tents (25:27, NIV).

First of all, let me just say that in my very shallow understanding of the culture in which we read, I think today’s reading is a bit odd. It confuses me. I mean, Isaac and Rebekah obviously played favorites with their children, and so Rebekah made sure that Jacob, her favorite, was blessed instead of Esau, Isaac’s favorite? And, Isaac only had one true blessing to give out? And, the remaining blessing wasn’t really much of a blessing at all, but more of a curse, it seems. I’m so lost. It’s days like these when I wish I were reading some studied commentator to help me through these rough spots. But, like I have said again and again, I am not because I want to know what the Word says…then I will build on that.

When my eyes are so tired at the end of a long day of staring at details on a computer screen, and everything is so blurry, I am struck by the way old Isaac ended his days; so blind that he couldn’t even decipher one son from the other. When you can’t tell goatskins from hairy man, you’re pretty far gone.

And Rebekah, Isaac’s scheming wife, when she butts in, she really butts in! I’m curious what the future readings will reveal about the remainder of Rebekah’s life, as she spoke to Jacob (her favorite), “My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get [the elements of trickery] for me.” Whether she paid for the way she handled things in this situation while still on earth or whether she began her stay in heaven with a pretty hefty stay in time-out would be interesting to know.

I have a very distinct picture of Rebekah and Jacob in my minds-eye, and it’s not a terribly flattering picture. When Isaac asked Jacob (though he thought he was speaking to Esau) how we got everything together so quickly, Jacob’s response bothers me: “The Lord your God gave me success.” (27:20, NIV) Not anything about the Lord being Jacob’s God, Jacob’s belief, but his father’s God.

Then, later, once Jacob journeyed to the land that he called Bethel (or house of God), he says something that strikes me as a #1 no-no in dealings with God: testing Him.

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” (28:20-22, NIV)

Cross Overlook (1)IF God will do all of these things. THEN Jacob will consider the Lord his God. And after all of that, THEN Jacob will give back a tenth. Let me just say that IF I told God in prayer that IF He did this thing and that thing for me THEN I would praise Him forevermore, I would NOT expect my instructions to be fulfilled. Rather, I would be running for my life and expecting lightning to strike my self-consumed world! IF-THEN…

But you know what, I think Jacob gets his lesson pretty quickly in the Leah/Rachel saga. I believe the Lord worked through Laban to make sure Jacob paid dearly, in years of labor, payment, wives, and children, for testing God with all of his IF’s and THEN’s. We walk on shaky ground when we start telling our Creator how He needs to do things. I can’t speak for you, but there are certainly ways in my life that I have tried to tell God how to run my life…though I wouldn’t have seen it from that slant at the time.

Although I have been really trying to avoid referencing any scripture passages outside of our daily passages, today the following passage was lifted up to me and it was too beautiful not to share with you.

The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

“Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
(Jeremiah 1:4-8, NIV)

This passage struck a chord with me as I read and write on this journey. I am still very young; I am only 34 with many years and experiences yet to come. But I know one thing is certain: I feel a calling on my heart to do what I’m doing, and to share with you as I go along. My spiritual maturity may still be in its youth, but when the Lord leads me to His Book and urges me to read and share, that’s what I am going to do. I am not intending to tell you, the readers, anything new and profound, but I am uncovering a new understanding as I read and share, and I hope you are looking at our Christian history in a fresh light, as well.

Friends, I am thankful for all of you on this journey with me. I think of you often and you are in my prayers. Although I am here and you are there, and I know nothing of the journey you are on personally, or the place you are in your own life, and you know only as much as I choose to write herein, we are connected. God has drawn us together and I am excited for the day that we are united in heaven and can realize we knew each other now but in our human lack, couldn’t even comprehend the connection. Glory to God in all of His Majesty!

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Day 22 reading: Genesis, chapters 30-31

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Faith, Genesis, Jeremiah, Seeing God

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20) Know Better, Do Better

First and foremost, let’s take a moment to celebrate 20 days together in God’s Word! Woohoo! I’ve heard that if you do one thing every day for three weeks, it becomes a habit. Well, friends, tomorrow is our three week mark together. And, whether you were already spending daily time with God, or if this is just an addition to your routine, I’m excited that we are going through this journey together. Let’s jump in to today’s Word.

Today’s reading: Genesis, chapters 25-27

God told Abraham back in chapter 21 that “it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned” (21:12, NIV), so even though he had other children from his concubines, Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac (25:5, NIV). I wonder if familial hierarchy was such then that Abraham’s other children didn’t feel slighted, or if it was much like now where being cut out of the inheritance would really hurt. There’s no further mention of it, and what it does mention is pretty matter-of-fact, so what do you think, is it more of the latter???

Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years (25:8, NIV). I imagine that Abraham had a real peace about him, particularly in his final years on earth. He and God had a true relationship, and I would even venture to say that I imagine Abraham knew when he was going. I bet he was among the “lucky ones” with no pain, he just faded into a peaceful sleep, never to wake. Wouldn’t that be the way to go? To die at a good old age…full of years, and memories, and love, and contentment, and secure knowledge of exactly what heavenly place he was going to next.

Now, Abraham and Isaac interest me in one particular way. Both had beautiful wives; apparently the kind of Miss America wives that men drool over. The father and son, when travelling, told their wives to say that they were siblings so as to spare the lives of the husbands. And, both said these things to a ruler named Abimelech. Now, I would love for someone to clarify this point for me. In Abraham’s case, in chapter 20, Abimelech is king of Gerar (20:2). Later, in Isaac’s life, in our current day’s reading, Abimelech is king of the Phillistines (26:8). I have never had a mind of geography or history, so this matter is a double-edged sword for me. Is this the same Abimelech? Gerar is mentioned later in chapter 26, so I questionably assume this is the same king, just another generation older.

This is one of those times when I may just be obsessing over something that really makes no real difference, but these similarities strike me as so odd. There is no mention of God instructing either Abraham or Isaac to lie in order to save their lives. So, why would these protected, God-fearing, God-abiding men feel the need to do anything manipulative? Don’t they know by now that God is going to protect them no matter what? I suppose this is proof that even Abraham and Isaac were only human. That’s kind of a comforting thought for me, as I tend to think I have to do this and that in my own human way, when it’s something God can easily handle and He really doesn’t need my help. In fact, like with Abraham and Isaac, our human ways usually end up throwing added wrenches into the gears of God’s plan.

Further, IF Abimelech, king of Gerar is the same as Abimelech, king of the Phillistines, is the same man…just how dumb was this guy? At what point would he learn his lesson? AND, as much as oral history was critical in the times before computers, styluses, and notebooks, wouldn’t Isaac have heard the story of the time he lied to a king and said he was his wife’s brother? Don’t our parents tell us of the stupidity of their youth so we won’t repeat the same mistakes? In both cases, God had to keep the king from consummating things between Abimelech and each of the wives. Like I said before, so often He has to fix the messes that our human errors make.

My pastor often says how much easier it is for us, as Christians, to forgive a “sinner” for doing something wrong than for us to forgive the “saved.”

It’s the “he didn’t know any betters” vs.

the “he should have known betters.”

But the truth is that we are all sinners, we all make human errors. At some time in our lives, we all make errors that make the Lord sad, but no matter what His mighty grace saves us. Just as Isaac returned to the land of Abraham and began working to re-dig the wells that his father had dug, you and I must return to the safety and direction of our heavenly Father’s care.

Maybe you were raised in the church like I was, maybe you’ve never really had a time when you didn’t know of God, and didn’t know the stories; but that doesn’t mean that, just like me, you didn’t stray. Friends, I fell off the path of righteousness with God, but I am here to tell you that I crawled back onto the path and I don’t ever want to fall away from Him again.

PATH CSLewisMaybe you have never known God until recently, maybe you were raised under a different set of guidelines or maybe you were never raised with training in any religion at all; if this is the case in your life, this is where your path begins. As the munchkins said to Dorothy, “Just follow the yellow brick road.”

No matter what your past experiences are, today is a new day in God’s house and today can be the day that you make Him priority over even your earth-bound world. We are building our foundation, and this is a great opportunity for us all to start fresh and leave all of the mistakes of our sinful past behind us. Are you with me?

Tomorrow’s reading: Genesis, chapters 27-29

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Faith, Genesis, Trust

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19) The Lord our Provider

Today’s theme (rather, the theme of our life): The Lord Will Provide.

Today’s reading: Genesis, chapters 22-24

Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”

Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.
(22:1-8, NIV)

LIFE IS GOODThe Lord DID provide for that burnt offering. The Lord DOES provide all we truly need now. And, the Lord will CONTINUE to provide for us in the future. By testing us, God is able to prove again and again that He will forever provide for our needs. After we pass these tests, large and small, God blesses us with greater responsibility.

I love the quote from Mother Teresa, “I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.”

God blessed Abraham for his faith, and He blesses you and I, as well.

The Lord rewarded Abraham for passing the ultimate test:
I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” (22:17-18, NIV)

God blesses us all the more because you have obeyed me.

I want to pose an open-ended question. Don’t panic, it won’t be too deep…it’s more a Sunday school question, but hopefully over time we can add some depth to our answers.

The question is two-fold:

1) How do we, in our daily lives, obey God? How do we, REALLY, obey Him daily? Not, what should we doing, but what do we do?

2) What proof have we experienced in the past that when we obey God, we truly are blessed in cause and effect kind of responsiveness?

My answers, #1) In my daily life, I have to have my “God time.” And most of the time that need to have quiet time alone with Him is because I feel so lonely without it. Whether I spend the time on this chronological journey, reading and writing, or it’s time spent in prayer or some other form of time with Him, I know I must have it in order to remain full and focused.

Through this year’s reading journey, I am purposely avoiding commentaries and teachings that pertain to the passages we are reading together. This is not to suggest that I don’t love to hear my pastor preach, or get so deeply involved with my latest ladies Bible study, but I have not gone out of my way to research the daily scripture reading passages more in-depth. If it’s not in the Book, itself, it can wait. This year for me is about knowing what the Bible actually says, without spin or outside interpretation. There are so many great thinkers and students of the Bible that have incredible insight, but I first want to strengthen my own biblical foundation in the Word so that I can make out right from wrong, skewed from biblical, in the teachings and readings I come across in the future. In fact, I am already thinking about next year’s self-assignment (I know, I know…we’re not even out of the teens and I’m already planning for the next 365 day stretch), and I think it will involve commentary. Right now, I am just enjoying the living, breathing, Word of God. Aren’t you?

My answers, #2) Even as I posed the second question my mind went blank. Isn’t it frustrating when you know there’s so much to say, so many exciting stories, and you just lose it? I would say that 90% of my prayers also include pleas to God to make the pathways He wants me to follow as obvious as possible; I’m always afraid I may miss a turn and completely miss the awesome life God has in store for me. That being said, I have had countless wonderful experiences with God, when I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was being greatly blessed because I was faithful and trusting in Him. Cause & effect.

Steve Marilyn Christmas 2011The summer of 2009 was a difficult one in my family. Anyone who is or ever has been married knows there are hills and there are valleys. Let’s just say, the summer of 2009 was a rocky valley; it was a test that my husband and I barely made it through. It was a summer that I knew would make me stronger if I persevered or weaken me to a shell of the person I once was if I didn’t hold strong. I say with unwavering certainty that that rocky valley, that test of strength, was the best thing that could have ever happened in my family.

Sometimes, we have to hit rock bottom, to completely lose sight of the light, so that we can crave it so much that we finally seek after it. And, friends, when we regain our sight, it is a beautiful thing! I don’t ever want to return to that dark hole. I don’t want my feet to ever touch that rocky place again. Steve and I are blessed today because we passed a very difficult test. We are closer to one another; we are happier parents; and, best of all, we are closer to God and feel more secure in our relationship with Him, than we ever were before the rocky valley. Glory to God!

I look forward to hearing each of your insights into the cause and effects of God’s blessings. I want to live out His daily Word through my life in this world. It’s a tricky balancing act, as you all know, but together and with His Word and His Spirit, we will pull through the tests and our foundation of sand will be strengthened into the Rock!

Tomorrow’s reading: Genesis, chapters 25-26

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Genesis, Trust

Tagged with:

Happiness is…

I loved the post by the same name that Loving Proof Ministries posted yesterday so much that I want to encourage each of us to make our own “happiness, is…” list. Here’s Marilyn’s:
wpid-IMG_20120709_093527.jpgHappiness is that first sip of coffee in the morning.

Happiness is catching your kids doing something nice for someone else…especially when they don’t know you’re watching.

Happiness is a day at the office without any telemarketing calls.

Happiness is the first cozy fire of autumn.

Happiness is the first snow cone of summer.wpid-PhotoGrid_1341521352966.jpg

Happiness is when your grown children choose to spend time with you.

Happiness is getting to bed early on Friday night, AND sleeping in on Saturday morning.

Happiness is the days when everyone in the family is happy and healthy.

Happiness is when you go to buy a new tube of your favorite lipstick and your color hasn’t been discontinued yet.

Happiness is getting that first Christmas card of the season in the mail.

Happiness is the smell of bleach in a clean house.

Happiness is the day you start being able to sleep through your husband’s snoring.

Happiness is sore muscles after a challenging workout.

Happiness is hearing loved ones lift one another up.

Happiness is that one night each year when the whole family loads up and looks at Christmas lights.

Happiness is when the kids turn their bedroom lights off without being reminded.

wpid-74694_1778782753621_4097948_n.jpegHappiness is seeing loved ones genuinely love the gifts you purchased or made for them.

Happiness is finishing one project before getting distracted by another.

Happiness is being inspired by creativity.

Happiness is when everyone cooperates for family pictures.

Happiness is a clean car.

Happiness is feeling useful, talented, and productive.

Happiness is a fresh coat of paint.

Happiness is having a good hair day (especially true when you’re trying to grow your hair out!).wpid-tumblr_lv5jqdhSZe1qzxe50o1_500.jpeg

Happiness is garage parking on cold days, rainy days, or cold and rainy days.

Happiness is having a scripture memory verse come to you right when you need it most.

Happiness is getting stopped for speeding but being let off with a warning.

Happiness is taking the high road even when you really, really, really don’t want to.

Happiness is when technology works and actually makes life more efficient.

Happiness is hearing the perfect song at just the right moment.

wpid-257543d85ca566095ff1a6a0f2048a8a.jpgHappiness is having your cheeks start to cramp from smiling so much.

Happiness is paying the bills on time.

Happiness is answered prayers.

Happiness is seeing the countless blessings all around us each and every day.

What’s on your list?

Category:

Blessings

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18) His Presence Known

Carrying over the thought from Day 17 about “The God Who Sees Me,” I am struck by how often God appears in some tangible form in our readings. He appeared to Adam and Eve in some form in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8); He spoke directly with Cain (Genesis 4:6 & 10); He spoke to Noah and directed the building of the ark and the repopulating the earth (Genesis 6-9); the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building in Babylon (Genesis 11:5, NIV); He spoke to Job out of the storm (Job 38-42); and now He is speaking and appearing in various forms to Abraham and his family (Genesis 12+). God sees us, God lives in us, and God appears among us. What a wonderful truth!

Without further adieu, today’s reading: Genesis, chapters 19-21

Two angels appear to Lot in Sodom, to warn him and help him escape destruction. Have you ever felt as if you were in the presence of an angel of God? I have and it gives me chills to even think of it. (FYI–this is one of the matters I will question when I get the opportunity to ask Father God all the questions I want in Heaven) Whether angels live and walk among us is a matter only for God to know and Hollywood to aggrandize, but I do know that there are people and circumstances that are absolutely bursting with the loving grace that can only be from the Lord, our God.

God appeared to Abimelech in a dream, as He appears many times throughout the Bible. My human mind tends to wonder to the question: if God appears to me in a dream, how do I know that it is Him and not just some really unique dream? The answer comes even before I really have time to attempt to process the question: if it’s Him, YOU’LL KNOW. God doesn’t do anything half-way and you can be sure that if He chooses to reach out to you through a dream or a vision, you will know it is from Him.

Have you heard God’s voice, speaking to you so clearly that it’s as if He is right there standing next to you? Although I won’t know for certain about my encounter with an angel, and I can’t ever recall having a God-inspired dream, I have heard Him speak to me and when He does, let me tell you, I stop everything else I am doing and listen up! I can tell you this, friends, even in my limited understanding of God and His ways, I know that if He wants you to hear Him you better listen! In a previous post, entitled Thumbprints, I wrote about just such an encounter with the audibility of God.

If God tells you to build an ark, build it! If He tells you to eat this, not that, listen! If God says He will bless you with descendants too numerous to count, you don’t have to knock up your maidservant to make it happen. When he speaks to us, in whatever form He chooses, we must listen.

Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. (21:1-2, NIV)

God isn’t human! I hate to be Captain Obvious here, but so often our human selves seem to think all of the promises God has made to us since Creation have been mere words. As humans, we have a knack for promising ourselves into the ground. We’ll promise to get this chore done or that task checked off. We promise to read the Bible in a Year or lose 20 pounds by summer beach weather. But, as humans, our promises are often only partial-promises. So often, we fall painfully short of the mark. Not God! God keeps His promises every time. EVERY TIME. God speaks to us, tells us “do not be so distressed” (21:12, NIV), gives us direction, gives us comfort, He opens our eyes (21:19). He is an honest and faithful Creator God and He will be ever-faithful to us, no matter how many times we have messed up in the past or will surely mess up in the future.

Help me watch for the promises to come as we continue our chronological journey through the Bible. We are 2 1/2 weeks in and there is so much more in store for us along this journey than we can even begin to comprehend this early in the game.

Tomorrow’s reading: Genesis, chapters 22-24

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Faith, Genesis, Seeing God

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17) “The God Who Sees Me”

Today’s reading: Genesis, chapters 16-18

I know we’ve read/heard these stories a dozen times (minimum) through years of growing up in church. Abram/Abraham, Sarai/Sarah, Hagar, Ismael, Isaac, Sodom and Gomorrah…we know these stories, we’ve studied them, and this is one of those passages where I have to fight not to glaze over. Today I won the fight and it paid off.

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (16:13, NIV)

He is the God who sees me. He is the God that sees YOU! He sees us through every celebration and every struggle.

I find it interesting that Hagar, a maidservant who was essentially forced into relations with her 86-year-old master, gives the Lord an endearing nick-name of sorts. The God Who Sees Me. I just love that name!

It is so  comforting for me to know that the Lord, our God, is with us all of the time. His Spirit lives in us and breathes through us and gives us renewed life and energy and guidance for every moment of our lives. Awesome!

It brings me great comfort to know that any time I need Him or seek His company, He is right there. He’s on-call. He is the only One who knows my every need. He’s the only One who knows where I have lacking or what areas of my life need help. He is the only One who knows me best. I can’t fake anything with Him, no smiles, no happy attitudes, no masks or facades. They don’t work with Him. He sees me, He knew me before He even created me, yet He loves me and lives with me all of my days. He Sees Me!

He is THE GOD WHO SEES YOU!

My hope and prayer is that this brings you comfort, as well. Knowing that you are never alone and never without His loving hand covering, protecting, and guiding you.

Our God is truly an awesome God!!!

Tomorrow’s reading: Genesis, chapters 19-21

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Genesis, Healing, Seeing God, Trust

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16) He is our Reward

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ROADSIGNSTOHIM.com

Today, we return to Genesis; back to the beginning. We are strengthening our foundation more every day, as we continue to read, study, and pray the inspired Word. As we continue to read through the Bible chronologically, we are back in Genesis, studying Father Abraham and his many sons.

Today’s reading: Genesis, chapters 12-15

What first strikes me today, as it has many times already over the course of the first two weeks of our journey, is the obedience of select people. Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord…and did everything just as God commanded him (6:8 & 22, NIV).

As much as I attempt to do everything exactly as I know the Lord wants me to do them, my human sin nature gets in the way A LOT! For example, I have been working on my potty mouth for years. I’ve gone through phases in my life that have placed four-letter words on the tip of my tongue, and in most conversations. I have to give myself a little pat on the back, as I have really reigned my tongue in, but the truth is there are still slips. And even when I don’t let the ugliness come out of my mouth, there are still plenty of times I think them but don’t say them. As much as I want to congratulate myself for that achievement, it’s really no achievement at all! God knows my thoughts so even though the rest of the human race doesn’t have to hear those things come out of my mouth, the most critical being of all still knows they’re there. It excites me to even consider how blessed life would feel to know that I found favor in the eyes of the Lord BECAUSE I did everything just as He commands me.

Abram is one of those wonderful role models for our Christian walk of faith.

The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” (12:1, NIV)

As I have written previously (and will likely mention again and again because it’s just that important to me), I believe in giving 10% of our time back to God, as well as 10% of our money. (See previous post, 10% of me) That said, the obedience factor comes into play in my life a lot. I love to do a little celebration dance in my head when I know I am doing something in obedience to God, that will please Him; and I hate the gut knot I get when I know I have made the disappointing choice but am too lazy to undo what I’ve done. I would compare giving 10% of my time back to God to doing housework or some nasty chore that I don’t enjoy, but that’s not fair to Him. I actually enjoy the time I give back to Him more than any other time in my day. I don’t look at it as something I will be punished for not doing, but I do feel so rewarded when I do give that time back.

There are still times, however, that I end up on the couch watching TV with my husband, just chillaxin’ and being completely mindless…when I could/should be using that time more dutifully but don’t. There are times when I feel the urge to pray for some special need that has just come into my heart, but I allow myself to get distracted and don’t end up praying at all, much less for this special need that was apparently very important. Thankfully, God knows that I am only human. He knows that my first reaction is one of selfishness, and He still doesn’t hold that against me…I like to think He does still appreciate my efforts to do “good.”

In my heart, God is not an angry God looking to punish us at every wrong move. He is a loving and very gracious Creator who has already put up with so much from me, yet still loves me and gives me every breath, every moment. I know there are times when He steps in and corrects me, which my human nature may not always enjoy, but just like when a disrespectful child is straightened up by loving parents, I turn out better in the end for the lessons.

All that to say: Abram/Abraham was obedient in all he did and he was blessed as a direct result of his obedient heart and action.

“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (12:3, NIV)

So, what did Abram do? He left, as the Lord had told him. (12:4, NIV)

There have been times in my life when the Spirit has whispered to me to do something specific and I complied. But, I cannot imagine the human struggle that would go on if I got a word to, literally, drop everything and everyone and just follow. Now, that takes some trust! About half the time that I feel that specific pull on my heart like He is whispering to me, I doubt that it’s not just my human sin nature trying to trip me up on my walk with Him. I tend to second-guess and doubt more often than I drop everything in dutiful obedience. But when I pray, I pray specifically that God not allow me in all of my stubborn glory to miss the signs He has put out for me. I ask Him to make them big, obvious, flashing neon if necessary, just so I don’t miss a turn or a split in the road (hence the “Road Signs to Him”). My greatest fear is that I am not going to live up to the potential of what the Lord has in store for my life. So, I pray in faith and trust Him to make it all obvious to me where He wants me.

Much of the story of Abraham and Sarah we will continue to reference in the days ahead. So much of it interests me, especially in relation to the way the story reveals itself on down the line. But, also, so much of it has been so over-stated in church, Sunday school and other Bible lessons that I don’t want to go into overkill over some of these passages. Just as I was determined to do, I have enjoyed reading these familiar stories with fresh eyes. I have picked something up each day that I truly had never noticed before or that had never struck me in the same way as it strikes me now. The Bible truly is the Living Word of God, as it continuously applies to our current situation, it always has the lessons we most need to learn, and it always teaches us something new with each turn of the page.

The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (15:1, NIV)

He is our shield, as well. In fact I want to re-read that passage, inserting our own names into those words from the Lord, substituting ours for Abram’s. Ready?

The word of the Lord says to you, “Do not be afraid, _________________. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

Friends, God wants to be our reward! In Him there is no fear. Even living among the evil as we do, we will be strong in the Lord and not be afraid. He is our reward. HE IS OUR REWARD!

Tomorrow’s reading: Genesis, chapters 16-18

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Faith, Genesis, Prayer, Quiet time, Seeing God, Trust

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