How long will we wander, before returning to Him?

Posts tagged ‘God’

139) Loyalty

Day 139 reading: 2 Samuel, chapters 19-21

You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. (19:6-7, NIV)

I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first of the whole house of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king. (19:20, NIV)

Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. (19: 24, NIV)

So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem. (20:2, NIV)

One of Joab’s men stood beside Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab!” (20:11, NIV)

The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the Lord between David and Jonathan son of Saul. (21:7, NIV)

They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land. (21:14, NIV)

Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.” (21:17, NIV)

Today’s reading has me focusing on loyalty. Bonds and loyalty and brotherhood and honor seem to be the themes of our scriptures. It makes me think of all the different loyalties I honor in my own life.

Loyalty to God,pray hardest when it is hardest to pray

to my parents,

to my husband

and children.

Loyalty to my spiritual leaders,

my teachers,

my employers.

Loyalty to my hopes

and dreams

and goals.

I worry sometimes that my loyalties and energies are spreading too thin, but then I realize that as long as the Lord God is #1 on my loyalty list, all of my other service will be in line with His will and direction for my little life. He will give me the energy and power and perseverance to cover all those that fit within His plan; the others I don’t even need to concern myself with, He’s got them covered.

Make it a great day,

Mari!yn

Day 140 reading: Psalm, chapters 5, 38, and 41-42

Category:

2 Samuel, Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Perseverance, Seeing God, Service

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137) It’s not “Pollyanna-ish” to walk in God’s favor

Those of you who follow RS2H on Facebook, as well, may have seen my latest post from the book of Judges, chapter 8.

Then Gideon and the 300 men

who were with him

came to the Jordan and crossed over,

weary yet pursuing.

~Judges 8:4, NASB

Granted, I know that we read through the history of Gideon’s triumphs a while ago, but tonight as I opened my Bible, this spot was where I was directed and this phrasing weary yet pursuing is not only underlined but also highlighted in my Bible.  This is so fitting for me personally right now, as lately I have felt weary yet pursuing.

My son, Morgan, and I after a 50 mile bike ride. Definitely "weary yet pursuing" :-)

My son, Morgan, and I after a 50 mile bike ride. Definitely “weary yet pursuing” :-)

There’s no trouble here, no armies are pursuing me and I’m not feeling overtaken. Overall, life is very good! But where I have felt weary is in my studies. I have been reading some great biblically-based books lately, and I’ve been reading our daily studies, but the process of writing–both here and on my personal “Marilyn Horton Chronicles” blog are incredibly slow-moving…weary yet pursuing.

I can’t tell you how many times I have sat down with my Bible and computer, read this 2 Samuel passage that is today’s study, finished reading, and stared blank at my computer screen for far too long. Today’s reading and tomorrow’s reading have been sitting there in draft, hyper-linked to the online Bible study source I love for weeks and weeks…yet I have been weary yet pursuing.

Always in these phases of drought, I remind myself that we each have our season. And that just because I am in a quiet season, that doesn’t make it bad…just different.

When God pursued me with this idea of the Road Signs to Him Ministries, He laid it on my heart that Bible study needs to be relatable. Every time I sit to study, write and share with you and random strangers on the InTeRwEb, I try to do it from a place that will speak to those who are living (as I call it…) with “one foot in church and the other in the bar.” I try to reach back into my memories and think ‘what would have reached me, or gotten my attention, or shaken me awake when I was the one living this dichotomous life?’  Sometimes, I feel like I reach this goal, and many times I feel I fall short. But my prayer is always that no matter how muddled my words, that God will speak through them and create in them the words that you and you and you and YOU need to hear/read at that moment.  I cannot hit this goal, but God can take these little words and touch a cord that could just make all the difference in someone’s life, and for that I am definitely pursuing!

Day 137 reading: 2 Samuel, chapters 16-18

Today’s reading of David’s continued reign of success brings such a spirit of hope to me. I frequently remind myself that if someone or something is acting in accordance to God’s will, no one can stop them. So, rather than praying for personal success in a situation or in life, let’s pray that, above all, His will be done in our lives. If His will is the most important thing to us, no cursing, no stoning, no armies, no bosses or co-workers, no neighbors or far-off politicians can overcome us.

You are blessed by God, as was King David, and just as David continued to defeat armies larger and stronger than his, we will also continue to beat the odds as we walk in God’s overabundance of favor.

There the army of Israel was defeated by David’s men, and the casualties that day were great–twenty thousand men. (18: 7, NIV)

Of course, I’m not suggesting any of us go out and slay our enemies, but I am telling you without a doubt that when you seek His favor, you will reap the rewards in more ways than you can imagine. Time and time again as David’s soldiers looked ahead and saw their enemies, they had to have doubted and had fears, but time and again they overcame with the favor of God.

My husband calls this my “Pollyanna attitude,” but like I tell him, it’s not a rose-colored-glasses kind of thing, or just the power of positive thinking…It’s happening every day in ways seen and unseen all around myself and those friends and family that I know walk in such a way as to please God.

I’m feeling a little “holy roller” right now, and I don’t mean to be. I slip. I slip a lot! I slip all of the time…and sometimes I catch my slips faster than other times. But know this: the God who created you and knows you by name also knows the very depth of your heart and every intention you have. Fear not, He is with you.

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Day 138 reading: Psalms, chapters 26, 40, 58, 61-62 & 64

Category:

2 Samuel, Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Creation, Faith, Perseverance, Prayer, Quiet time, Trust

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134) Distress and Deliverance

Day 134 reading: Psalms, chapters 32, 51, 86 & 122prayer

Psalms 32~A prayer during distress

Don’t we all know just what David is saying here? Can’t we all recall times when we have sinned and it was actually a painful thing to even think about in our own minds, let alone think of confessing our sin to anyone, even God? David says, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” (32:3, NIV)

But the relief that comes not only from confessing our sins but also the knowledge that we are forgiven is such a weight lifted from our lives. Just knowing that He loves us and forgives us. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”–and you forgave the guilt of my sin. (32:5, NIV)

Psalms 51~A contrite sinner’s prayer for pardon

On the heels of stealing another man’s wife and sentencing him to certain death in battle, don’t you just know David was feeling every word of the agony as he cried out to the Lord, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to the multitude of Your tender mercy and loving-kindness blot out my transgressions. (51:1, Amplified) Don’t we all wish to be wholly pure from sin? (51:2, Amplified) 

I used to pray that God not allow my head to turn to the right or to the left, but remain focused on the path He has set before me that leads me straight to Him. I have begun, recently, to add to that. I pray, my friends, that He also makes every word that comes out of my mouth, every thought formed in my head, and every action I make be only from Him. I surrender all control over my mind, body and spirit. I don’t mind being a puppet of the perfect puppeteer! I want Him to lead, guide and direct every aspect of my life so that every aspect of my life can serve Him and not my fleshly desires. If left to my own leanings, only He knows how truly far off course I could get…and easily.

David absolutely knew his first-hand as he penned, Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart. (51:6, Amplified)

Psalms 86~Prayer for deliverance

I think as I read this scripture of the many paths I have taken which have lead to a very jagged road to where I now stand. The path to enlightenment. The path to self-destruction. The path to nameless, faceless, tormented hours. All of these paths we tend to take when we are seeking satisfaction by purely human terms. Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord. (86:8, NIV) Why is it so often that we take the wrong paths, KNOWING they are the wrong paths? Why do we turn in rebellion from what we know to be right just to be able to say “I did it my way”…even though we later admit that “my way” didn’t really work out.

My passion is for those of us who know the way, maybe we were raised in the way or maybe we just know deep down in our hearts that what we have been seeking isn’t sustainable. We know there is only one truly sustainable resource: God, with a capital G! Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (86:11, NIV)

Psalms 122~The peace of Jerusalem, a song of ascents

I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
“May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”
For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 135 reading: 2 Samuel, chapters 13-15

Dear Lord, Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips: and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. (51:10-15, KJV)

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Forgiveness, Prayer, Psalms, Rules worth LIVING by

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133) David was Only Human

Day 133 reading: 2 Samuel, chapters 11-12

David was only human. I have to remind myself of this fact now and then while reading through the scriptures. So many of the great biblical heroes we read about still have very human weaknesses, just like you and I have them. Just when I find myself shaking my head in frustration with David, I get the gentle reminder that I have made my own share of decisions that I purposefully didn’t consult God in. Granted, those decisions don’t ever go well, yet we still forget from time to time that He is God and we are not. There’s only been one perfect human and we aren’t Him, either. So where does that leave us?

search“One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace.” (11:2, NIV) This is the first time I’ve caught that this was nighttime, and that David had to get up from bed in the night to walk around on his palace roof. Every other time I have read the story or heard it told in Sunday School or sermons, I have pictured him taking a daily afternoon or even morning stroll, but this “got up from bed and walked,” detail adds something to my understanding.

The story of David on his rooftop in the night, spying on the city he ruled reminds me of a Zig Ziglar quote that says, in essence, that “Hypocrites are those who complain about the filth on their own VCRs.” I picture David’s rooftop stroll kind of like the person who sneaks out of bed at night to dig in the cookies, or look at unsavory things on the internet. He was looking all around his city, and from the roof of his palace, David could see everything. Nothing was censored  and  just like the person online looking at porn doesn’t accidentally click on the stuff, and just like no one forces us to eat too much or get up in the night for fatty snacks, David got exactly what he was looking for. He found a beautiful woman, bathing, thinking she was safe from view.

After all the blessings the Lord had bestowed on David, and all that He gives us each and every day, we all make these human errors in judgement.  And when we make these errors, as when David did, it displeased the Lord. (11:27)

Then, the Lord sent a messenger from God to remind David that He sees and knows all. The Lord sent Nathan to David. (12:1, NIV) If I think back on times when I know I have made human errors that have displeased the Lord, I can also remember people of reminders that I know the Lord has sent to me, reminders of my errors in judgement, so that I could not just brush these mistakes under the rug and pretend they never happened. “Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what was evil in His eyes?” Nathan asked of David. (12:9, NIV) Just as He still does for us, the Lord reminded David of this sin. He sent Nathan, He allowed a baby to be conceived by David and Bathsheba, and then He took that baby away. The Lord sent reminders and David got the message and the punishment.

After all of the punishment David endured, he persevered through his ultimate faith in God, and he was redeemed in being blessed by his next son to Bathsheba, Solomon, whom we will certainly be studying soon. But let’s always allow ourselves to remember that even the mightiest fall and we must always guard our hearts and our eyes from things the Lord doesn’t want us to see.

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Day 134 reading: Psalms, chapters 32, 51, 86, and 122

Dear Lord, thank you for all of the blessings we already enjoy and recognize to be all from you. Lord, speak to us through your living Word, that we may learn from the mistakes and trappings of those humans who have gone before us so that we can exercise more control and keep you at the forefront of everything, especially when sin and temptation seeks after us. Lord, protect and guide us. It is in your name we pray. Amen.

Category:

2 Samuel, Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Children, Faith, Forgiveness, Perseverance, Prayer, Seeing God, Trust

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132) Let the Sounds of Our Praises be Heard!

I don’t know about you, but I am really enjoying reading through the Bible chronologically, so that all of these Psalms and historical accounts are put into context. This is where reading through the Bible straight through from Genesis to Revelation has always lost me.

Day 132 reading: Psalms, chapters 65-67 and 69-70

They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. (Psalms 65:8, NASB)

They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. (Psalms 65:8, NASB)

When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. (65:3, NIV)

You answered us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior. (65:5, NIV)

Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf. (66:5, NIV)

Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. (66:8-9, NIV)

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. (69:30-31, NIV)

For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise His who are prisoners. (69:33, NASB)

O God, hasten to deliver me; O Lord, hasten to my help! (70:1, NASB)

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 133 reading: 2 Samuel, chapters 11-12; 1 Chronicles, chapter 20

Dear Lord, If I regard iniquity in my heart, I know you will not hear me, but verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. (from Psalms 66:18-20, KJV) Amen.

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Faith, Forgiveness, Healing, Hope, Praise, Prayer, Psalms, Seeing God

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131) We’re in this for the long haul!

David dancing worshipDay 131 reading: 2 Samuel, chapter 10; 1 Chronicles, chapter 19; Psalm 20

Today, my friends is a joyous day for all. We were given life eternal and today marks another day that we are able to live life and share His love with the world.

David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” (2 Sam. 10:2, 1 Chronicles 19:2, NIV)

We ought to show kindness to our brothers and sisters in Him, just as He has shown kindness to each of us. The kindness will not always be well-received, but you and I only have control over our outward expression of love, and no control over other’s response.

In the case of David and his armies, they lost a small battle in the initial humiliation of his men whom he had sent to offer condolences; but they certainly won the war. As Joab said, “Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in His sight.” (2 Samuel 10:12, 1 Chronicles 19:13, NIV)

It’s not simply cliche to say that God helps us win the wars we fight every day, even if we must lose some smaller battles along the way. It is Truth. “Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7, NIV) I believe that verse could be restated any number of ways to apply to each of our lives daily.

  • Some trust in guns and some trust in knives, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
  • Some trust in their own human understanding and some trust in their pride, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
  • Some trust in __________ and some trust in __________, bu we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (What does YOUR version of this statement say?)

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. (Psalms 20:6, NASB)

Have the faith and trust to serve Him and know that sometimes in our human eyes we lose some battles but through trusting Him and His guidance, we will each win the war! Amen!!!

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 132 reading: Psalms, chapters 65-67, 69-70

Dear Lord, Please give us all the desires of our hearts and make all of Your plans succeed through us. (from Psalms 20:4, NIV) Thank you for Your blessings, Your mercy and Your ever-flowing love. Please protect and guide each of us as we go through our daily lives, serving You and doing all You have sent us to do. Amen.

Category:

1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel, Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Eternity, Faith, Perseverance, Psalms, Seeing God, Service, Trust

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130) Offer Ourselves Unto the Lord

Day 130 reading: Psalms, chapters 50, 53, 60 & 75

Psalm 50 opens with a reminder that all already belongs to the Lord. He needs nothing. But when we offer ourselves and our material riches up to Him, its not out of His need to receive but our need to give.

Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and this shalt glorify me. (50:14-15, KJV)

And the line that stands out above all. The line that punches me right in the gut:

“You thought that I was just like you.” (50:21, NASB)

It is so easy to make God, the Lord of Heavens and Earth, Creator of all, just another pal. There’s a comic strip that I’ve seen circulating lately aptly called, “Coffee With Jesus.” I love it because so much of it focuses on remembering that He was man, but also God…Here’s the link  just in case you need a reminder in the form of a giggle: 
http://radiofreebabylon.com/Comics/CoffeeWithJesus.php

USA flag

My King James Bible titles Psalms 60 “Prayer for National Deliverance” which strikes me more today than it likely would have even five or ten years ago. Now, more than ever, we are in need of national and world-wide deliverance. He is able. He is the only one who is able.

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Day 131 reading: 2 Samuel, chapter 10; 1 Chronicles, chapter 19; Psalms, chapter 20

Dear Lord, Please look down from heaven and see all those who adore you. You seek our understanding and our longing, (from 53:2, NASB) Lord, and I pray you see that in each of us. Lord, please bless our studies with understanding and our actions with your purpose. It is in your holy have I pray. Amen.

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Creation, Prayer, Psalms, Seeing God

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129) “The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.” (2 Sam 8:6, 8:14; 1 Chron 18:6, 18:13)

2 Sam 8Day 129 reading: 2 Samuel, chapters 8-9; 1 Chronicles, chapter 18

King David was a great and powerful leader and warrior because of all the blessings the Lord had bestowed on him. Entire nations were subdued or conquered. Victory surely did follow him wherever he went in the Lord’s name.

David even won some moral victories, though those are sometimes more difficult to remember if you know David’s entire history. However, this moral victory in his treatment of Mephibosheth is certainly a victory nonetheless. “David asked, ‘Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” (2 Samuel 9:1, NIV) “Ziba answered the kind, ‘There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.’” (2 Samuel 9:3b, NIV)

“Mephibosheth bowed down and said, ‘What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?’” (2 Samuel 9:8, NIV) Mephibosheth, one who was certainly treated like the lowest of the low because of his handicap, but King David invited him to sit in a seat of honor at his table for the rest of his life, all in memory of his soul-knitted friendship with Mephibosheth’s father, Jonathan.

“‘Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.’” (2 Samuel 9:7, NIV)

Personally, I prefer the moral victories over those of the gruesome fighting sort. We could use some extra moral victories in our world today, as every day the moral decay seems to be slipping further and further down. As a people, we seem to have less use for one another than in previous generations. This sort of discord must reverse–we must gain some moral victories–or we’ll all just slowly and painfully kill one another off and no one wins that battle.

Let’s reach out and encourage someone today. Let’s reach beyond ourselves and our own little worlds and restore someone’s moral who may feel like the lowest of the low. Let’s evaluate our own lives and pray to God that He show us how we can have these moral victories wherever we go. I fear our Lord’s followers won’t outlast the haters otherwise. We have to gain some moral control of this situation before it devours every single one of us.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 130 reading: Psalms, chapters 50, 53, 60 and 75

Category:

1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel, Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Hope, Prayer, Service

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123) His Love Endures FOREVER

Day 123 reading: Psalms, chapters 106-107

His love endures forever! (106:1, NIV)

prayerRemember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them, that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise. (106:4-5, NIV)

He saved them from the hand of the foe; from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them. The waters covered their adversaries; not one of them survived. Then they believed his promises and sang his praise. But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his counsel. (106:10-13, NIV)

They yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods. (106:28, NIV)

Nevertheless he looked upon their distress when He heard their cry; and He remembered His covenant for their sake, and relented according to the greatness of His lovingkindness. He also made them objects of compassion in the presence of all their captors. (106:44-46, NASB)

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. (107:19-20, NIV)

Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord. (107:43, NIV)

Friends, these are the words of our forefathers’ lives, but they are also our own personal stories. How often do we seem to be flying high with His Most High one day and crash land on a desert island the next? God didn’t promise that every day would be easy; that’s not what following Him is about. He didn’t say there wouldn’t be struggles. But He does assure us again and again through His Word remind us that He loves us beyond all measure and that the best way for you and I to show Him we love him back is to have faith in Him.

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Day 124 reading: 2 Samuel 5:11-25; 2 Samuel 6:1-23; 1 Chronicles, chapters 13-16

Category:

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

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121) He wants YOU!

Day 121 reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-10 and 1 Chronicles, chapters 11-12King David

David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. (2 Samuel 5:4, NIV)

30 is a good age to get into one’s own, I think. Marriage. Parenthood. Leading. Kingship. Many of my favorite Bible teachers weren’t born and raised to be Bible teachers but came into ministry in their early thirties. I compare myself at 16 or 24 or 35 and think of the extreme maturity differences between the earlier and the latter. I have not studied it myself, but my Exercise Physiologist husband has talked many times about how the human brain isn’t even fully developed until the mid-20′s, which kind of makes me feel better as I was still making ridiculous judgement calls then and this is a great way to justify those in my now fully-formed brain. 30 is a good age to bore full-steam ahead toward the calling on your life.

David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him. (2 Samuel 5:10, NASB)

There’s another scripture that reads: If God is for us, who can be against us. When we align our hearts and our personal ministries with the Lord God of hosts, let’s face it friends, it’s a win-win situation.

David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him. (1 Chronicles 11:9, NASB)

Then, after devoting line after line of the Living Word of God to the armies and servants and leaders under King David, we read, “All these were fighting men who volunteered to serve in the ranks.” (1 Chronicles 12:38, NIV) I see that and it hits me: God wants me to be a volunteer to serve in His army right here where I’m standing, beginning today, beginning now, and He wants me to bring as many with me as possible.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Can you imagine a life so filled with the Spirit of the Lord that it can best be described as becoming greater and greater again and again?

Day 122 reading: Psalm, chapter 133

Category:

1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel, Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Service, Trust

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120) Let My Cry for Help Come to You, O Lord!

Day 120 reading: Psalms, chapters 102-104praise 2

Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you. (102:1, NIV)

Sometimes, don’t we just need some validation that He truly hears the prayers of our hearts?

My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. (102:4, NIV)

The Bread of Life is food for our spirit and keeps us in better alignment with our Lord.

My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass. (102:11, NIV)

When we are separated from Him, doesn’t every day feel hollow, like we are just going through the motions of living without true purpose, no matter how “busy” we make ourselves?

But you remain the same, and your years will never end. The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you. (102:27-28, NIV)

His world endures forever, but our lives come and go. But as we bring more life into this world, it is our duty to bring more Life to each life as we lead our children to Him.

Bless the Lord. O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. (103:2-5, NASB)

He gives all and we have the audacity to think we have anything to do with any of our accomplishments.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. (103:8-10, NIV)

It makes a chill run up my spine to think of how my life would be if He treated me as I deserved based on all the sins of my lifetime.

How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. (104:24, NIV)

I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my god as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord. But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord. (104:33-35, NIV)

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 121 reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-10 and 1 Chronicles, chapters 11-12

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Eternity, Healing, Perseverance, Prayer, Psalms, Seeing God, Trust

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119) Saul and Our own Egos

Day 119 reading: 1 Chronicles, chapters 7-10sword

When I have studied this series of chapters before, my eyes have glazed over and not quite come out of their fog enough to recognize the critical importance of this final chapter of today’s reading. Chapters 7-9 are more of the all-important, but still no more interesting to read, genealogy. But chapter 10! Chapter 10, with headings in my Bible like: “Saul killed on mount Gilboa,” “Defeat and Death of Saul and His Sons,” or the most poignant, “Saul Takes His Own Life.” It’s very easy to not quite wake up from the genealogy fog to recognize the significance of such a short chapter, but it meant a TON to the people of Israel.

I feel quite sure–even without double-checking this statement–that biblical theologians have been able to pick this small chapter apart and unveil every aspect of what Saul’s death meant to the Israelites. However, me being a simple Bible reader and student, I know that I can’t grasp all that it really meant to the people then or for the futures of these people, but I can look at Saul in his humanness and grab hold of some critical pieces of the story and how those pieces relate to each of us today.

After all of the battles, the Lord’s anointed King Saul is being overtaken. In his admittance of defeat, he takes his own life. I can only imagine the despair that overtook him in those moments of clarity, when he realized how grave his sins had been and how he had misused his God-breathed power.

“Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.” (10:13-14, NIV)

Saul died because of his pride, because he never died to his pride when he was anointed by God to lead the Israelites.

Saul died because he did not follow the word of God.

Saul died because he not only did not consult God, but he did consult those against or in opposition to God.

Saul died because he was unfaithful.

Life is such a struggle. It doesn’t have to be, but we make it one. In all of our humanness, we allow our own pride and ego to get in the way of consulting God. I believe I have shared before my favorite way to remember just how deep ego drives us when I remember that EGO stands for: Edging God Out. This is the simplest way to describe Saul’s life as anointed king, for he truly edged God out of his life and forgot that he was a masterpiece of God.

Let’s you and I not forget that we are also blessed by God to do great things. We are built to serve Him and serve others. Let’s not forget to consult Him daily, hourly even, as we go along this journey. On your way to work, praying for protection and guidance for yourself and the other commuters on the road. As you sit at your desk or perform your job, praying for careful attention to detail so each job and each work of your hands is blessed. Eating our meals and snacks throughout the day, praying that the foods we choose bring nourishment to our bodies so we are better able to go and do and be all He wants us to be. Prayers as we fall asleep at night, praying that our thoughts and dreams are peaceful and of Him, that our sleep in restful and full, so that we may wake refreshed, again, tomorrow to face whatever we see with love.

God loves you, now go act like you know it!

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 120 reading: Psalms, chapters 102-104

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1 Chronicles, Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Faith, Perseverance, Prayer, Quiet time, Rules worth LIVING by, Seeing God, Service

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118) I Will Triumph in the Works of Thy Hands

Sing aloud unto God  our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. (Psalms 81:1, KJV)

Day 118 reading: Psalms, chapters 81, 88, 92-93

praiseBeautiful visions of praise like this bring up in me a great thankfulness for my church home, my church family, and for the nation in which I live that still (albeit with a fight, at times) allows me to worship God when I want to and how I want to.

More and more as the days progress, the downward slope of outward faith and praise seems to be dwindling in the United States as a whole. I hope this is an untruth. I know in my own church home the praise is still loud and proud! But what about the people outside of our church walls and our own personal reach?

At what point to do we each reach beyond our reach and reach out to others? I throw this out there knowing full well that outreach is the furthest thing from my comfort zone when it comes to my Christian walk. I love to write and talk about my faith and reach out through my words, but the verbal is certainly limited to those who already share a strong faith. I’m not comfortable in the missions or doing outreach projects, and I am actually ashamed to share that with you, but feel compelled to just the same.

I have felt for some time that my mission is for those who know the way but have slipped. Those who were once on their path to righteousness, but who have lost their way among the wolves. This is my comfort zone as I was there. I lived with the wolves, I drank with the wolves, and I took on their ways.

Thou has laid me in the lowest it, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. (88:6-7, KJV)

I knew better, but I did the opposite of what I knew. Now, I sing aloud to Him; He is my Strength and my Redeemer.

O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; for my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. (88:1-3, KJV)

For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. (92:4-5, KJV)

Doing the works of the Lord serves well and pleases my heart as it also pleased Him. When He leads us to serve, we will triumph. With Him leading the way, we cannot fail. And the key that I personally have to keep in mind is that failure by human standards is quite different that it is by His standards. Our timeline is not always His timeline. Things we may see as failures may actually be a part of His grand plan. It’s wonderful to know that when we put our faith in God, and our works in action, His Will will be done.

More than the sounds of many waters;
Than the mighty breakers of the sea,
The Lord on high is mighty.
Your testimonies are fully confirmed;
Holiness befits Your house,
O Lord, forevermore. (93:4-5, NASB)

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 119 reading: 1 Chronicles, chapters 7-10

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Faith, Forgiveness, Healing, Hope, Perseverance, Prayer, Psalms, Seeing God, Service, Trust

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117) Seeing the Doors the Lord Opens and Closes

Day 117 reading: 1 Chronicles, chapter 6wpid-shot_1353622514363.jpg

Another list of lineage graces our reading today, but as tedious as these sorts of listing readings are for me to sift through, they also always hit home for me in some unexpected way.

Today, as I read of these clans and tribes and families, I think of all the opening and closing of doors the Lord is doing within my own large family. So many changes, all wonderful, all good, and mostly completely unplanned. My parents, husband, children and I are getting good practice at walking in faith and I am so thankful for God’s grace that allows us to do so.

Friends, I hope the living Word of God speaks to you every day, even during the seemingly mundane details of those like today’s passage. He included all for a specific reason and sometimes it’s just up to us to rely on Him to show us each individually why He chose that particular family or this piece of history to share.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 118 reading: Psalms, chapters 81, 88, 92-93

Category:

1 Chronicles, Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Children, Faith

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116) When We Wander, our Lord Gets Harder to See

Isn’t it interesting how your life can come to a screeching halt when you forget your priorities? Life can just get to feeling a little “off.” Allowing busyness to be an excuse for giving Him the tithing of time He deserves makes life get off track, even in small, barely noticeable (at first) ways. This is the place I see the psalmist looking out from as we read through today’s scriptures, and I can totally relate. But through all he sees Hope, which each of us have in our Maker.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms, chapters 73, 77-78

But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps had almost slipped.
For I was envious of the arrogant
As I saw the prosperity of the wicked. (73:2-3, NASB)

Whether my feet just come close to slipping or I am already caught in a downward spiral, hurdling toward the pit, there is a way up through Him. When I speak to Him, it clears my mind of fear and frustration. When I call out to Him, I feel at peace even in the midst of uncertainty.

Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (73:25-26, NASB)

He is my portion forever. Besides Him nothing truly matters. We get so caught up in so much stuff, stuff that makes no difference in the long haul yet consumes all of our day, our nights, our relaxation time and our sleep. The junk that clutters up our time is also the junk that stands in the gap between us and Him. Friends, together let’s make a pact to de-clutter. I have my hand raised high in the air, screaming, “Please remove all of the junk that stands in the way of my steady, constant, unchanging relationship with YOU!”

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;road work ahead
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works. (73:28, NASB)

When I am living my life in line with His path for me, His works are on my mind, in my heart and on my tongue. But when I get distracted and wander off that right road, His works are harder to see. Not because He’s changed, but because our eyesight weakens from the drainage ditches.

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds. (77:11-12, NIV)
 
We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done. (78:4, NIV)

Compared to Him, we are but specks and without Him, we are empty.

He remembered that they were but flesh,
a passing breeze that does not return. (78:39, NIV)

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 117 reading : 1 Chronicles 6

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Hope, Perseverance, Prayer, Psalms, Quiet time, Seeing God, Trust

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114) Better is ONE DAY in Your Courts

Now that we’re really sinking our teeth into the meat of the Old Testament, I am even more pleased with the way the Word is opening up to me.  This is why I chose to read the Bible chronologically instead of straight through cover-to-cover as I had done before; by reading chronologically everything is put into context.

For instance, I have really enjoyed reading David’s psalms, which are like his own personal journal entries, written approximately the same time as we are reading the history of what was happening in his life. This has already been such a fascinating journey for me and I hope you have enjoyed it, as well.

Day 114 reading: Psalms, chapters 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87

In today’s reading, I was particularly drawn to the King James translation of these psalms. They were beautifully written and, for me, encompassed the essence of what the Psalmist was most wanting to convey.

O send out thy light and they truth; let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. (43:3, KJV)

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. (84:5, KJV)

Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness; therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (45:7, KJV)

Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. (49:20, KJV)

Those scriptures are absolutely beautiful and so packed with meaning. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee. Send out they light and they truth and let them lead me. Please, Lord, give me honour and understanding. It’s like a cleansing rain falling down on me as I read these scriptures and know that even the Lord’s anointed sometimes felt alone, that even they sometimes begged Him for vindication, and that even they prayed for guidance as they walked along the path.

Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love. (45:26, NIV)

My mother did something so neat for me after reading Day 113′s article; she brought me over an envelope of genealogy for her father’s side of the family. The Lord will count when He registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” (87:6, NASB) It has been so much fun pouring over the names and birth years and all that was revealed just through the most basic information. Some names popped out from the pages that I had heard for years from my grandparents but had never really put into context, and some friendly heart stirrings of people that I miss.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (84:10-11, NIV)

Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me–those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him–the ransom for any life is costly, no payment is ever enough–that he should live on forever and not decay. (49:5-9, NIV)

But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol (the place of the dead); for He will receive me. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! (49:15, Amplified)

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 105 reading: 1 Chronicles, chapters 3-5

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Eternity, Faith, Forgiveness, Prayer, Psalms, Trust

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Video

1000 Days Younger: WATER!!!

Hello all! And welcome to the FIRST true installment of the “1000 Days Younger” mission from RoadSignstoHim.com!

I’m pretty pumped about this exciting journey and hope you’ll hang with me, make the positive life changes alongside myself and others, and truly LIVE the life God has planned for you!!!

We are responsible for these temples, and the FIRST thing to remember when caring for our temples are that they are made up MOSTLY of WATER!!! So, it’s such a vital source of life that cannot be ignored if we want to fully function each day, for a long…long…LONG time!!!

Enjoy the video! I’m adding this one and all future 1000DY vids to the “1000 Days Younger” playlist on our roadsignstoHim YouTube channel for easy viewing and catch-up AND have a category here on the main website dedicated to this “1000 Days Younger” mission, as well. And, although this one’s been a little finicky, the PLAN is to post new 1000DY videos each Tuesday!!!!!

Catch you later, gator!

Make it a great day & KEEP SMILING,

Mari!yn  :-D

Written by Marilyn Rowe Horton

on 04/05/2013

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113) Family Lines & Biblical Times

Today’s scripture passage: 1 Chronicles, chapters 1-2

 

…and more begats and chiefs and lists…

Morgans 14th Birthday 2013 (12) RFE

And this is where our Living Word becomes a little more difficult for me to relate. The fact of the matter is that in today’s culture, roots and lineage and family lines and history are no longer at the forefront. Today, it seems, “family” is more defined by friends and the closest of relatives and relationships rather than the generations that shared our bloodline. Personally, I don’t think I can name the history of my family in full beyond the preceding two generations. I have a hard enough time keeping up with my own parents, husband, and five children from day to day. I am ashamed of this fact as I read through my Bible in a Year–or 365 days, whichever the case may be–because the Lord obviously holds our lineage more highly than many of us do in present times. How do we keep the bloodline and the stories and the history of “our people” strong even through all of the dilutions of divorce and preoccupation? How do I ensure that my children know at least as much about my parents and grandparents as I know, while encouraging them to also learn what they can beyond what I can teach them?

My friends, as much as the family listings are difficult for me to read, this fact of my lack of knowledge is even more difficult. Is there anyone else who feels the same or similar? And, are there any others who have found that balance between the past and present? I love to hear from all!

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 114 reading: Psalms, chapters 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87

Category:

1 Chronicles, Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Children

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112) My Prayer through the Psalms

Day 112 reading: Psalms, chapters 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, & 21

My prayer through David’s words:

BibleO Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who have displayed Your splendor alive the heavens! (8:1, NASB) When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is bad that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? (8:3-4, NASB) I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. (9:1-2, KJV) I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (16:8, Amplified) Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. (16:5, NIV) Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. (6:8-9, NIV) The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. (9:9, KJV) The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. (19:7-8, NASB) O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear. (10:17, NASB) I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. (16:7, NASB) Will evildoers never learn–those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the Lord? There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous. (14:4-5, NIV) For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. (9:10, NASB) Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. (19:12-13, NIV) Preserve me, O God; for in thee do I put my trust. (16:1, KJV) For I trust in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High I will not be shaken. (21:7, NIV) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. (19:14, KJV) AMEN!

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 113 reading: 1 Chronicles, chapters 1-2

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Faith, Forgiveness, Hope, Perseverance, Prayer, Psalms, Trust

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111) God’s Anointed

Today’s scripture passage: 2 Samuel, chapters 1-4dont give up

I have read and reread this passage several days in a row. I am having trouble wrapping my head around David’s killing people who killed those who were against David.

Then David called one of his men and said, “Go, strike him down!” So he struck him down, and he died. For David had said to him, “Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, ‘I killed the Lord’s anointed.’” (1:15-16, NIV)

Then the king said to his men, “Do you not realize that a prince and a great man has fallen in Israel this day? And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!” (3:38-39, NIV)

David answered Recab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of all trouble, when a man told me, ‘Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! How much more–when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed–should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!” (4:9-11, NIV)

Really, friends, I have struggled here. It’s been a sticking point for me and I didn’t need any help slowing my progress through this Bible journey. These men David had killed were doing what they felt was right in his sight.  They thought they were doing right by David, their king, God’s anointed.

But it’s really had me thinking about how we treat each other in our everyday lives. Remembering that the Presence of the Lord is in every single person we meet on the streets, shouldn’t that effect our behavior and our treatment of those around us more than it does?

My friends, I am thankful for you and that you’ve hung in here with me through this time of being incommunicado.  The Lord is working with and through each of us for a very personal mission in His holy name, and sometimes it is difficult to put aside our human ambitions and distractions to follow the path He leads us on. But take up your shield of faith and follow, not turning to the right or to the left. Our eternity is so worth the fight.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 112 reading: Psalms, chapters 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, & 21

Category:

2 Samuel, Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Eternity, Faith, Forgiveness, Perseverance, Rules worth LIVING by, Seeing God, Service, Trust

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