How long will we wander, before returning to Him?

Posts tagged ‘life’

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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115) Because the Battle was God’s

Day 115 reading: 1 Chronicles, chapters 3-5summer morning path

God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to him during battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him. (5:20, NIV)

Whether on a small or large scale, we wage wars daily. The Word gives up so many examples of calling out to Him and winning the battles of life. We have the greatest ally there is in Him and His army of angels fighting for us and protecting us every moment. That is nothing short of phenomenal.

On my personal walk with God, I am reminded daily that on my own I cannot live up to the standards I feel are worthy of our Lord, or our Savior’s sacrifice. I stumble–some days a little and some days a lot. Some days I stumble over my own self and pride that I fall flat on my face. In those days I am especially grateful that as much as the falls hurt, Jesus Christ bore all of the pain I should be feeling on Himself, because He knew I could not handle it all.

When I fall, I remember the battle was God’s (5:22, NIV) and that allows me to brush myself off and get back to my feet. I am not walking alone.

When we are truly humbled in the face of God, we cry out as Jabez did in his now infamous prayer that is still very much worth repeating daily:

“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hands be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” AND GOD GRANTED HIS REQUEST. (4:10, NIV)

Praise be to the Lord God Almighty.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 116 reading: Psalms, chapters 73, 77-78

Category:

1 Chronicles, Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Forgiveness, Healing, Hope, Perseverance, Prayer, Seeing God, Trust

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Video

Road Trippin’ with Marilyn

Hello friends! I took you along with me on my latest road trip…and boy was I happy to have you along for the ride. You helped fill the void between coffee shops and truck stops, so I thought I’d share some thoughts, pics, and speeeeeedy vid with you today! Enjoy and thanks so much for staying tuned in!!!

Make it a great day,

Marilyn, YOUR “Christian Life Encourager” :-)

(sorry for the background rattle…I had a car full!)

Written by Marilyn Rowe Horton

on 03/05/2013

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88) [YOUR NAME HERE] Servant of the Lord

Let’s jump right in to today’s scripture passage, as there is so much to discuss.

Today’s scripture reading: Joshua, chapters 22-24, the final chapters

First of all, I’m sure you noticed as I did the repetition within the first five verses of today’s reading of Moses’ descriptor: Moses the servant of the Lord. Moses is mentioned like that three times within the first five verses of chapter 22, and every Bible translation I checked had the verbiage exactly like that: Moses the servant of the Lord.

moses-servant-of-the-lord

Wouldn’t you love to be described that way, as a servant of the Lord? Of course, enjoying that may hinge on pride, but really I’m just speaking hypothetically. If we are on this journey together, likelihood is that we all consider ourselves servants of the Lord, but do others see that servant-hood in us? If they do not, it is my opinion that we need to work harder. We don’t need to boast about our servant-hood  but those around us should see the Lord as Master of our lives, just by knowing and living in close proximity with us. Can they see it? Is it there? Is there more we can each still do?

Try it out for size:

Marilyn, servant of the Lord.

Lisa, servant of the Lord.

Alice, servant of the Lord.

Katherine, servant of the Lord.

(Insert your name here), servant of the Lord.

Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Now, let’s back up our titles with action!

Next, the business with the alternate altar struck me as more than a bit odd, and I would really love to hear some educated guesses on this one; hopefully you can help me get my mind around this whole story.

Thus says the whole congregation of the Lord, “What is this unfaithful act you have committed against the God of Israel, turning away from following the Lord this day, by building yourselves an altar, to rebel against the Lord this day?” (22:16, NASB)

“Did not Achan the son of Zerah act unfaithfully in the things under the ban, and wrath fall on all the congregation of Israel? And that man did not perish alone in his iniquity.” (22:20, NASB)

Then the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered and spoke to the heads of the families of Israel. (22:21, NASB)

“Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord and turn away from following the Lord this day, by building an altar for burnt offering, for grain offering or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the Lord our God which is before His tabernacle.” (22:29, NASB)

The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad called the altar Witness; “For,” they said, “it is a witness between us that the Lord is God.” (22:34, NASB)

I can see from a logical standpoint where the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh were coming from, but the feeling side of me can’t get the rationale behind having a copy of the tabernacle altar. I truly look forward to researching this topic further at a later date–as I am working through this year purposefully avoiding the outside influences that come with doing reading and research to accompany each day’s Bible in a Year passage of scripture; this year is about opening my own mind and understanding. Until then, I would love to know your thoughts or what you have studied about this particular portion of scripture.

As we come to the end of Joshua’s life, and therefore the end of the book of Joshua, I enjoy his sort of parting words and reminders and tying up loose ends.  Joshua, being older and certainly of a natural age to pass, seemed to know that he was not long for this earth, though it is not written that the Lord told him as much directly as He had Moses before him.

But Joshua tells the people of Israel: “Be very careful to love the Lord your God.” (23: 11, NIV)

“You know in your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words with the Lord your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.” (23:14, NASB)

Then, my favorite part, the recap (my husband says I am queen of the recap, which is not necessarily a compliment in his book, but is in mine):

Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your forefathers, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the River and worshiped other gods. But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the river and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants. I gave him Isaac, and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I assigned the hill country of Seir to Esau, but Jacob and his sons went down to Egypt.

“‘Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and I brought you out. When I brought your fathers out of Egypt, you cam to the sea, and the Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen as far as the Red Sea. But they cried to the Lord for help, and he put darkness between you and the Egyptians; he brought the sea over them and covered them. You saw with your own eyes what I did to the Egyptians. Then you lived in the desert for a long time.

“‘I brought you to the land of the Amorites who lived east of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I gave them into your hands. I destroyed them from before you, and y0u took possession of their land. When Balak son of Zippor, the kind of Moab, prepared to fight against Israel, he sent for Balaam son of Beor to put a curse on you. But I would not listen to Balaam, so he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you out of his hand.

“‘Then you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The citizens of Jericho fought against you, as did also the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites, but I gave them into your hands. I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you–also the two Amorite kings. You did not do it with your own sword and bow. So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods of your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods of your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (24:2-15, NIV)

Here’s what I love about this particular recap: this is your’s and my story, as well. Our versions have different details, but in the end, we are all on the same path to the Lord. My version would go something like this:

For generations, your family has served the Lord faithfully, acting in kind and serving the Lord in many ways. Through Eli and Ellen, Jack and Sherlie, the Lord has blessed your life, giving you Gary and Susan as faithful parents and role models to follow on your path. It is because of their faithfulness and good deeds in the Lord’s name that your life has been richly blessed, and through your service, your children’s lives will continue to be blessed, as well.

You have been sent around the country, meeting people and being introduced to cultures and people who you may not have ever been exposed to otherwise, with less faithful forefathers, but those experiences will serve you well as long as you walk the earth in service.

Then, through your husband’s family, you were blessed with a God-fearing husband, and through trials and tests, the Lord has been with you and protected you from the enemy, and brought you closer to Him. Together with your family, He brought you to a place where you would walk closer to God than ever before, as you progress down the path in faith, His grace is there with you always. He is leading you and directing you and your family continually, and as long as you listen to His guidance, you will continue to be blessed servants of the Lord.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. (24:15, NIV)

Day 88 reading: Judges, chapters 1-2

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Children, Faith, Joshua, Perseverance, Service

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82) Our Lord Knows Us!

It’s always a tough transition from one great leader to the next. It’s not as difficult when the first leader wasn’t quite living up to the hype, but either way there are growing pains involved.

Can you even imagine following in Moses’ footsteps? How do you think Joshua felt? Surely he was among the most faithful or this critical job would never have been passed to him, but still, there must have been some natural, human nerves involved.

Moses Joshua

I found this lovely image of Moses laying hands on Joshua and wanted to share it with you. I do not know the artist but thanks to the joys of modern technology, anything you want is always just a click or two away.

Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the Spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. (Deut. 34:9, NIV)

Today’s scripture passage: Joshua, chapters 1-4

As with every other leader God has chosen, Joshua was given specific instructions. The Lord said to him, “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you.” (1:5, NIV)

And the Israelites were behind their new leader in faith, saying, “Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses.” (1:17, NIV)

If we are faithful to Him, He is faithful to us. He will never leave us nor forsake us, either, and He will be faithful always to us just as He was to Moses, to Jacob, to Isaac, to Abraham, to Noah, and so on down the line. It is only when we forget him that our relationship begins to slip; He does not every forget us.

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (1:8, NIV)

I love this passage of scripture. Sometimes, when I’m feeling particularly weak, I like to carry my Bible with me wherever I go. Not to be seen by others, in fact most others rarely know I have it with me, but just to know it is there with me (even though it’s pretty huge, as discussed on Day 80). I may never open it on these days when I carry it with me all the time, but at least it’s there in case I need to find some words of strength in the Word of the Lord.

He speaks to us in so many ways, though. He speaks to us through our prayers with Him, or through the praise and worship music we crank up while driving down the road, or through a kind email from a friend at just the right time. We are instructed again and again throughout the Bible to never let Him get far from our hearts or our minds, so that we will be in constant communion with Him, our Lord and our Redeemer. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

I love to watch all of the wonderful ways the Lord works in our lives constantly. Just as the people reported to Joshua after they scoped out the land the Lord promised them and found that He was faithful to His promises, we watch the Lord make our enemies crumble and hurdles in our lives overcome by faith alone. They said to Joshua, “The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.” (2:24, NIV)

When the Lord works and wants everyone to know, without a shadow of a doubt that He is Lord Almighty, He does it up BIG:

So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground. (3:14-17, NIV)

And the priests came up out of the river carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord. No sooner had they set their feet back on the dry ground than the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before. (4:18, NIV)

Isn’t that glorious?! It is mentioned twice that they stood and crossed on dry ground. The water did not just stop flowing for a time being, He completely dried the ground, the river bed of the Jordan River, so that His chosen people could cross and not stumble, not fall, and not sink into the mud. Wouldn’t that have been an amazing feat to experience? Don’t you wonder sometimes how the Israelites could have possibly reacted against God time and time again when they got to experience His works like this?

That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses. (4:14, NIV)

In what seems to be his first act of leadership after crossing the Jordan, Joshua spoke to the people of Israel, saying, “The Lord your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (4:23-24, NIV)

Do you know what always gets me about these fantastic signs and miraculous acts the Lord works in each of our lives? He knows us. He knows that even with all He has done and continues to do in our lives, He knows that we will fall again, maybe just a stumble or maybe we’ll fight right on our faces and take years to recover, but we will fall nonetheless. Yet, He does these things in our lives anyway. He works from love.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 83 reading: Joshua, chapters 5-8

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

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80) Be Strong, Courageous, and Firm

I don’t know if it’s just me or if today’s reading is really just that good, but it is really just that good! I think it’s especially refreshing on the heels of all of the curses we read through together yesterday. Whew. We’ve come out on the other side, rejuvenated, refreshed, and ready to face Day 80 head-on.

Today’s scripture passage: Deuteronomy, chapters 30-31Bible

I want to begin with sharing one of the perks of the Bible my family gave me for my birthday several years ago. It’s a parallel Bible with four different translations included. I do get some jokes from people when I carry it to church because it’s soooo thick; My favorite joke was when I was asked if it was the “Unabridged” version :-) So clever!

Anyhoo… The opening verses of today’s scripture reading absolutely hit me as so beautiful and moving and breathtaking that I wanted to share it in all four translations that my Bible has to offer. Enjoy:

And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee, and shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with ll thine heart, and with all thy soul; that then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered the. (30:1-3, KJV)

And when all these things have come upon you the blessings and the curses which I have set before you, and you shall call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, and shall return to the Lord your God and obey His voice according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your mind and heart and with all your being, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion upon you and will gather you again from all the nations where He has scattered you. (30:1-3, Amplified)

So it shall be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind in all nations where the Lord your God has banished you, and you return to the Lord your God and obey Him with all your heart an soul according to all that I command you today, you and your sons, then the Lord your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you. (30:1-3, NASB)

And my personal favorite translation of this particular passage:

When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come upon you and you take them to heart wherever the Lord your God dispenses you among the nations, and when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. (30:1-3, NIV)

Aren’t those three verses lovely? Like I said, it may just be me, but I am absolutely raw and open to these words this morning.

Whenever I take the Word of God to heart, and I share it with my friends and family members, He will restore my soul to eternity and fill me with His love and grace. (my paraphrase)

My friends, that’s what I want, not only for myself but for you and yours, as well.

The Lord your God will circumcise you hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. (30:6, NIV)

Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice and hold fast to him. (30: 19-20, NIV)

I want God to circumcise my heart, to expose me afresh, and give my soul a new anointing, so that I may live only for Him.

Here’s the truth: But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind and in your heart, so that you can do it. (30:14, Amplified)

His Presence is here with us. His Word is living and breathing in us. We know what to do, now we have to go out and do it.

Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you. (31:6, Amplified)

I preferred the Amplified version of that particular verse because it not only told us to be strong and courageous, but also to be firm. Let us stand together, linked arm-in-arm against the enemy for he is real but he knows that the Lord our God is very real, as well, and the enemy is scared…he just puts on a brave face. Do not be fooled. Do not be weakened or grow weary. It’s going to be a long, hard fight, but we are up for the challenge. In the end, it is all so worth the effort.

Did anyone else reach the end of today’s scripture passage and want so badly to continue reading? I did! I look so forward to Moses’ song in our reading for Day 81 of our journey.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 81  reading: Deuteronomy, chapters 32-34 & Psalms, chapter 91

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Deuteronomy, Faith, Perseverance, Seeing God

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77) The Needs He Provides, The Wants He Allows

Steve Marilyn Christmas2012Oh, my friends, I have so much to share on a personal level, but want to be sure to keep my personal excitement to a minimum since I tend toward wordiness…as if you haven’t noticed. I will just say this: My family has been extremely blessed and the Lord’s gracious hand has been leading and opening doors for us that are thrilling to me. Please help me in praising Him for His love, and please keep our family in your prayers, as we need continued guidance as we continue down this path He has set before us. I’m sure I will be able to disclose more soon(ish), but for now, thank you, Lord, and thank you, friends!

On to today’s scripture passage: Deuteronomy, chapters 21-23

I am enjoying the theme of ownership running through today’s scripture reading.

If a slain person is found lying in the open country in the land which the Lord your God gives you to possess… (21:1, NASB)

When you go forth to battle against your enemies and the Lord your God has given them into your hands… (21:10, Amplified)

You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance… (21:23, NIV)

The Lord your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you. (23:5, NIV)

Since the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp to deliver you and to defeat your enemies before you, therefore your camp must be holy; and He must not see anything indecent among you or He will turn away from you. (23:14, NASB)

It is relatively easy to say the words, “Everything I have comes from Him,” but I have found it to be such a freeing sensation to really know that truth. This computer I type on is only available to me because He provided. This home that I live and love and play in is only ours because He gives it to us to possess. The money we earn truly comes from Him.

He is our Creator. He is our Provider. He is our Guide. He is our Strength. He is our Protector. He is our Everything. Without Him we are and have nothing.

I want so badly to shout this truth from the mountain tops, and to shake every person I see until they truly comprehend His awesome power. It is our natural human nature to take ownership of all that is around us and purchased by us and ruled by worldly standards, but it’s all completely false.

HE provides the talents which allow us to work at our jobs which give us money for housing and water and heat and air and food and fun.

HE provides the resources which power the world, the water and energy and wind and rain and land and soil and sun and heat.

HE provides all that we NEED and an amazing amount of what we WANT, as well.

Praise be to God!

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 78  reading: Deuteronomy, chapters 24-27

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Deuteronomy, Faith, Gifts & Talents, Health & Well Being, Seeing God, Trust

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73) Master Inventor

Day 73 reading: Deuteronomy, chapters 8-10

Bible study toolsBe careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the Lord promised on oath to your forefathers. (8:1, NIV)

It’s so easy sometimes to pick and choose the rules we’re going to follow. This is true for me in everyday life (that 30 mph speed limit really allows me to go 36), at work (I’m supposed to be there every morning at 8 a.m., but sometimes it may be 8:06 or 8:12 before I rush through the door), and even during family time (OK, I’m ready for this game of Clue to be over, it was Miss Scarlet in the Conservatory with the lead pipe…I win).

The mighty ten commandments are certainly no different in their ease to be bent by our human desires. I wouldn’t go out and rob someone with better material things than me, but I have to admit that sometimes there are friends who have been so richly blessed with their beautiful homes and cars and vacations that I feel a little jealousy welling up inside.

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord you God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. (8:10-14, NIV)

Or times when I’m so frustrated with my father over a work issue or decision that I forget that I’m supposed to honor him, no matter what. I wouldn’t murder anyone, but did that little white lie I told yesterday afternoon really make a difference? Sometimes it’s easy to classify our sins as “really bad,” “normal,” or even “minor” sins, instead of seeing them all the same, as the Lord sees them.

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. (8:3, NIV)

This journey is feeding us in ways we may have never thought of before. Through every day of reading and contemplation, He is feeding our souls and our minds, and keeping our hearts in His tender care.

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who give you the ability to produce wealth. (8:18, NIV)

I can’t tell you how much I love that short piece of verse 18, it’s wonderful. I have a little saying that sometimes I utilize too much. No matter what the issue is, this little saying applies.

“That’s why God invented… plastic.”

“That’s why God invented… the center turning lane.”

“That’s why God invented… the service industry.”

“That’s why God invented… dish washers.”

You name it, God invented it. Period.

This is the most beautiful closing I believe I have ever heard, and it applies to you and I today just as it did for the Israelites long ago:

And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your souls, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?

To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Yet the Lord set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. Your forefathers who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky. (10:12-22, NIV)

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 74 reading: Deuteronomy, chapters 11-13

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Deuteronomy, Perseverance, Rules worth LIVING by, Service

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72) This is Our Guidebook

Every time I’m reminded that Moses never actually got to go into the Promised Land, I’m a little sad. He led, he wandered, he had one-on-one conversations with God.

Moses spoke to the Israelites, saying: “But because of you the Lord was angry with me and would not listen to me. ‘That is enough,’ the Lord said. ‘Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan.’” (from yesterday’s scripture passage, Deuteronomy 3:26-27, NIV)

Day 72 reading, Deuteronomy, chapters 5-7

God spoke: “You shall have no other gods before Me or besides Me.” (5:7, Amplified)

I’ve been thinking and writing so much on His Lordship lately, yet I can’t seem to get beyond it. Every time I pick up my Bible or listen to a song on the radio, there is it: His Lordship. Oftentimes, I think God uses even our modern media to remind us of the things we need to put in the forefront of our thoughts. His Lordship. What in this world could possibly be more critical to our lives than Him?

He is the substance in our lives. He is the cake. This worldly stuff–our comfortable homes, our cars that get us from Point A to Point B, our families and circle of dear friends, our jobs, our toys, our phones, our gadgets and do-dad’s–are all the icing on the cake (and maybe even some sprinkles). God gives us these things. Without Him there is nothing.

He also insures that we hear, see, and feel the things we most need to be hearing, seeing, and feeling at any given time in our lives.

“You shall not make for yourself [to worship] a graven image or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth.” (5:8, Amplified)

iphoneMy cell phone is quite possibly my favorite material possession, and sometimes my phone (with all of the cool apps and a whole variety of uses in my daily life) gets in the way of more important things (like prayer time, family, and sleep, to name a few). I allow my phone to get in the way of things that are really more important, at times.

My vehicle,  another of my favorite material things. All shiny and sparkling, clean, and still with that “new car smell” even after a year of living life with my family.  I have to admit, it makes me a little proud…Pride: another relationship killer when it comes to God.

“You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, and showing mercy and steadfast love to thousands and to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep my commandments.” (5:9-10, Amplified)

How often do we find ourselves, at least figuratively, bowing down to the things of this world more so than we bow down, literally, to our Lord, Creator, Savior, King? We most certainly do serve our smart phones. As a culture, we have become a people who cannot keep from checking our phones constantly. It holds our email, our contacts, our social networking, our calendars, our stock tickers, our cameras, and even our Bibles. We serve this device as we give it special covers and protective screens, we take out insurance on it, and put it in a special pocket in our purse; we serve it as we take care of it sometimes better than we do the people around us and we certainly serve it when we pay more attention to our smart phones than we are doing for the people right there in the same room, same house, same family.

“Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, or your manservant or your maidservant, or your ox or your donkey or any of your livestock, or the stranger or sojourner who is within your gates, that your manservant and your maidservant may rest as well as you.” (5:13-14, Amplified)

I have really worked to drive this point home in my own household. As I’ve written before, the “day of rest” has been anything but for so long in so many of our lives, but God gives us and we deserve one day out of the week to do no work. Also, as I have studied this on our journey together, and really taken it all in, it’s not only that we are to rest, but we are to allow others to rest, as well. My family has taken a step in this direction, in that our after church Sunday lunches have lessened. I can’t honestly say they have stopped completely, but that’s one of those hard habits to break. We have become much more conscious about making our Sundays more sacred, not just the time we spend in worship on Sunday mornings, but all day. We do not work, and we do what we can to not cause others to have to work, as well (ie: waitresses, cooks, salespeople, etc.).

Gary Susan Marilyn“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you in the land which the Lord your God gives you.” (5:16, Amplified)

I know my own mother (Hi, Mom!) loves to read this one. ;-)  But, honestly, since we began this chronological study I have caught myself putting this rule into effect much better. My parents and I work together…every day…all day…and we love it, but truth be told, sometimes work gets in the way of family ties. Sometimes it’s easier to view each other more in terms of co-workers, and as co-workers the lines of honor tend to get muddled a bit.

“And the Lord heard your words when you spoke to me and the Lord said to me, I have heard the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They have said well all that they have spoken.” (5:28, Amplified)

He hears us! What an awesome reminder!!! No matter how great or small we think a thing is in our lives, God hears us. Does this point strike you right in the heart and make your throat knot up a little? It does me! It’s exciting. It’s endearing. And even a little frightening (so He heard me when I thought that about such-and-such?).

“Oh, that they had such a [mind and] heart in them always [reverently] to fear Me and keep all My commandments, that it might go well with them and with their children forever!” (5:29, Amplified)

You know sometimes when your children are acting up and you are just about ready to snatch them bald-headed, and then out of nowhere your mom or dad or some other older adult says something like, “That’s the same thing you used to do when you were her age.” That always rubs me wrong, because it’s so true. BUT, our children can also pick up and inherit good habits from us, that it might go well with them and with their children forever! Let them see you worship. Let them see you pray. Let them see you overcome the tendencies that threaten to drive a wedge between you and our Lord. Let them know there is an enemy out there and he never sleeps, but neither does the Lord. Glory to God!

“Therefore you people shall be watchful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land which you shall possess.” (5:32-33, Amplified)

I am really enjoying this re-cap from the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. It’s like every verse strikes a nerve and is critical to our walk with God. It’s a beautiful day to live in the Word!

“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord [the only Lord]. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being and with all your might. And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be [first] in your [own] minds and hearts; [then] you shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.” (6:4-7, Amplified)

I love this. He is our constant guide. This Word acts as our guidebook. Our Bibles are our maps, our answers, our guidebook on our journey to Him. And when we keep Him close at all times and keep His Words fresh on our hearts and minds, we draw nearer and nearer to Him.

“Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations.” (7:9, Amplified)

Today, you and I are living in grace based on the faithfulness of the generations that came before us. And to a thousand generations, our own offspring will continue to reap the blessings of our faithfulness, as well. If saving our own lives isn’t enough, think of a thousand generations of lives that can reflect our love for the Lord.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 73 reading: Deuteronomy, chapters 8-10

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Children, Deuteronomy, Faith, Rules worth LIVING by, Trust

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71) For the Lord your God is a compassionate God

Bible study tools“You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I commanded you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2, NASB)

Day 71 reading: Deuteronomy, chapters 3-4

Moses is still speaking to the Israelites:

“I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings; so the Lord shall do to all the kingdoms into which you are about to cross. Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you.’” (3:21-22, NASB)

He is fighting for us, too. We are His people, too. He is dwelling with us, too.  Our eyes have seen His great works in our own lives, too! It’s amazing to me how distant the Bible can seem at times, when really, it’s a retelling of our own lives each day.

“Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.” (4:9, NASB)

He deserves our due diligence. Our sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters and all the family to follow down the line, deserve to know Him and all that He has done in the lives of our families and our world.

This part about the Word and commandments and instructions not departing from the heart strikes home with me. Have you noticed that certain verses from our daily reading have stuck with you throughout the day? Have you gotten in a bind at some point along our journey and recalled a lesson we have learned together that was just perfect for that situation? I have. I have seen the hand of God working through this chronological study several times already in our 71 days.

“But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.” (4:29, NASB)

When we need Him, He is already several steps ahead of us. He knows our needs, and He fulfills them.

“For the Lord your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.” (4:31, NASB)

Even if our own human fathers and mothers didn’t wander around the desert for 40 years with Moses, we are His children and He made a covenant with our fathers, and father’s fathers as well. He protects those who serve Him and remember Him and put Him at the forefront of our minds, daily, just as He keeps us forever at the top of His list.

“Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the Lord, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.” (4:39, NASB)

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Tomorrow’s scripture reading: Deuteronomy, chapters 5-7

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Children, Deuteronomy, Eternity, Faith, Rules worth LIVING by, Seeing God, Trust

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63) The Roller Coaster of Trust

Today’s scripture passage cuts painfully close for me. I never realized I would see myself in the book of Numbers, but there I was this morning, right there on the pages of the Living Word of God.

Day 63 reading: Numbers, chapters 21-22

Then Israel made this vow to the Lord: “If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy their cities.” The Lord listened to Israel’s plea and gave the Canaanites over to them. (21:2-3, NIV)

roller-coasterSo, once again, God saves the day in a big way. I feel like I’m on a roller coaster ride with the Israelites at the helm, but I’m sure that’s how my own life will feel in retrospect, too.

But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses (21:4-5, NIV).

Again? And again…and again…and again. Why do the Israelites keep forgetting that He’s the real deal. Why do they only call out to Him when they need His miracles and then throw Him by the wayside when they are bored?

Aren’t we just as bad about that? I hope none of you reading this can relate to this, but I know my own walk tends to vacillate at times, too. You know, one minute you’re praising God and high as a kite on Him alone, then the next moment your child walks in the door with a bad report card and all of your praising goes out the window. Or you have a car wreck and although you are thankful to still be alive, you’re cursing the woman who broadsided you because she was talking on the phone, putting on lipstick and had a dog in her lap…all while attempting to drive.

Things happen in our very human lives that render very human responses; and I believe that God understands that completely. He knows what is in our hearts. He knows that He is in our hearts. So having very human moments in our day to days will not tear us from our Lord, but speaking out against Him over and over again as the Israelites are doing obviously took it’s toll on the relationship between the two.

Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. (21:6, NIV)

So Moses prayed for the people.

The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” (21:8, NIV)

Again, the Lord gives His people an “out.” Just think of the  scripture passages from just the past few days when the Israelites watched as the earth opened up and swallowed so many of their people whole, then were consumed by Holy fire, then a plague wiped out a number of them. So many watched their fellow comrades die on the spot because of their attitudes toward the Lord, yet here they were again, speaking out against Him; And here He is again saving them and proving His Presence with them.

And is it just me or was Moses almost as forgiving as the Lord Himself? Always praying for the people even after they rebuke him and speak against him? He has a supernatural tolerance for the people, because of what God had done in his life.

The Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people together and I will give them water.” (21:16, NIV)

He always provides for our needs. Always.

Then the people when on and won another battle and occupied more land, just as the Lord always said they would. And even in their fear, the Lord spoke to Moses to cover them.

The Lord said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of [Og king of Bashan and his whole army], for I have handed him over to you, with his whole army and his land.” (21:34, NIV)

When God is for us, when God is leading us, when we take God by the hand and follow Him and the path He has laid out for our lives, who can possibly stand against us? Hear this: NO ONE.

“A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me.” (22:5, NIV)

Recall this passage from Day 16 of our journey:

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” (Genesis 12: 1-3, NIV)

Then, we meet Balaam (and myself face-to-face in the mirror of the Living Word of God):

But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.” (22:12, NIV)

But Balaam answered [Balek and the other princes], “Even if Balek gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the Lord my God.” (22:18, NIV)

Are those ever words to live your life by. Only God gives me strength to do all that I do.

That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you.”

Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him.

When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field.

When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it.

When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with a staff.

Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”( 22:20-22, 23, 25, 27-28, NIV)

I have a confession to make. I uses to write my blog postings at night. It’s my most creative time and the juices are flowing. The problem with this is that then I stay up far later than I should and don’t end up getting enough rest at night. How many of you know that alarm clock or children pounding down the hallway come at the same time every morning no matter how much or how little sleep you get? So, my answer to this issue was that I would start going to bed earlier and waking up earlier, too. But at least by studying and writing early in the morning, I have a set time and a set schedule to keep me on track. The key there is that I can’t sleep through my alarm clock…

At night I pray that the Lord wake me up as early as I need to be woken up in order to read and write on the next day’s scripture passage, and this morning as I was set to get up and read, my alarm was set for 5:00 a.m., but my Lord work me up at 4:21 the first time. Note: the first time. Some mornings, I can’t seem to help having mental bargaining going on in my head with God. Me bargaining with God. Really? I’m as bad as the Israelites! So, this morning I slept through His 5:21 wake-up call, then His 4:28 wake-up call, then His 4:33 wake-up call, and on they went until I finally responded.

Friends, I don’t know if that makes me more like Balaam or more like the donkey in today’s passage, but let me tell you that when I finally got out of bed and into the Word, I was struck down by this last portion of scripture.

Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. (22:31, NIV)

Doesn’t life go smoother (at 4:21 a.m. or any other time of the day or night) when we follow the path He sets for us. When we ask for His Mighty Hand to save the day (or wake us up), doesn’t it work out better when we follow His path, step-for-step? Friends, I have to tell you, I don’t want to be like the Israelites on their roller coaster ride. I want to live a life of smooth sailing, following God close on His heels, never distracted from the world, but always facing Him for guidance, then actually DOING WHAT HE SAYS TO DO.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 64 reading: Numbers, chapters 23-25

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Faith, Forgiveness, Numbers, Perseverance, Quiet time, Rules worth LIVING by, Seeing God, Trust

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62) When we GIVE our best, we RECEIVE His best

Day 62 reading: Numbers, chapters 18-20

“Say to the Levites: ‘When you present the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the product of the threshing floor or the winepress.’” (18:30, NIV)

When we give our best, we receive His best.

Friends, it’s no wonder that the Lord got frustrated with the Israelites and I’m sure gets frustrated with me, daily, as well. Isn’t it maddening to even read the account of the Israelite’s refusal to follow His instructions? But don’t we do the same? Unfortunately so.

Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord!” (20:2-3, NIV)

Really?

Again?

Not only are you complaining AGAIN after all you have seen and LIVED THROUGH, but you’re going to keep COMPLAINING?!?!!?

Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. (20:6, NIV)

So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?”

Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. (20:9-11, NIV)

As obvious as this point is, I must make it: This is the Word of God. This is our guidebook. He dwells in each of us and speaks to each of us in His own way, but we must listen and obey. Listen AND obey.

Marilyn Horton headshotMake it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 63  reading: Numbers, 21-22

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Numbers, Perseverance, Rules worth LIVING by, Seeing God, Trust

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60) Resisting the Israelite Mindset

Today’s an exciting day! We visit two books for today’s reading: Numbers, chapters 14-15 and Psalms, chapter 90

“Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?”

How often do we think just that kind of thought about our old lives, the lives before we dedicated them to Him?

The thoughts and selective memories can be like an old, worn out recording, playing over and over in our heads:

  • Wasn’t life easier back then?
  • Wouldn’t life have been better if I’d have married him, and not him.
  • Wasn’t life happier when I still had all of those credit cards and could buy anything I wanted as long as I still had some credit left?
  • Wouldn’t it be more fun if I still did that, instead of this?
  • Wasn’t life more fun when I was still drinking…heavily…daily?
  • Wasn’t life more carefree when I was hanging out with my buddies, getting high, and just passing the time?

Any of these sound familiar? Everyone has their own set of “What If’s.” Everyone has their own set of Israelite Mindsets.

GOD Road SignThen, we were delivered, gave ourselves over to His will for our lives and now look at us: having to actually do stuff to lift Him up, having to make higher-caliber friends that don’t let us swim in our addictions or strongholds, having to make the most our of our lives. Bummer?

“The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord.” (4:7-9, NIV)

Friends, let us not moan and groan when things get tough. As long as we are in His service there is an exceedingly good life ahead!

The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?” (14:11, NIV)

God already knew the answer. He already knew what was in store. He knew since before He created the world. He knew each of us before time began and He knows how we will respond. But He also loves us and created us in His image to do His will and live fruitful lives. He works miraculous signs in our lives each and every day. If we’re not catching them, we may have our focus in the wrong place.

“Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared: ‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.’ In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.” (14:17-19, NIV)

Let us ask the same of our Lord. Let us thank Him for being slow to anger and abounding in love for each of us. I thank Him for punishing me for my wrong doings, for just as a parent who punishes their own children, it is for the child’s own well-being and future’s sake.

“Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the desert.” (14:33, NIV)

He punishes to the third and fourth generation, and He blesses, as well. I look into the eyes of my own sweet children, imagining the generations to come, and know that I am responsible for their blessings. I am responsible for making their lives as full of blessing as I can, as they will be for the generations to come after them.

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all y commands and will be consecrated to your God. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God.’” (15:37-41, NIV)

What reminders do we have each and every day that remind us of our blessed life in Him?  This question brings us to Psalms 90, A prayer of Moses the man of God:

Lord, you have been in our dwelling place throughout the generations.

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.”

For a thousand yours in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning–

though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.

We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation.

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan.

The lengths of our days is seventy years–or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Relent, O Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.

May your deeds e shown in your servants, your splendor to their children.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us–yes, establish the work of your hands.

It’s not always the easy route to rest our faith on Him, and to resist that Isrealite Mindset while roaming through the desert, but that’s why I’m so thankful that we have each other. I’m so thankful we have friends and family who can help lift us when we’re down. That’s why we must surround ourselves continually with people whose presence in our lives remind us that there are better things ahead than what we’ve left behind. We’re on this road to Him together–just hang on.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 61 reading: Numbers, chapters 16-17

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Faith, Numbers, Perseverance, Psalms

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59) Ever Thankful = Ever Humble

Tulsa OK sunriseDo you ever find yourself just plain ungrateful for what you have?

Grousing about what you don’t have or what you wish you had?

Not seeing all that you do have in your life?

You’re not the only one!

Day 59 reading: Numbers, chapters 11-13

Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. (11:1, NIV)

How can we complain about all that we lack when all that we already have comes from Him?

The rabble who were among them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost–also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” (11:4-6, NIV)

Now, granted, 40 years of manna would get old. But the Israelites had selective memory. They forgot that they were slaves to the Egyptians who fed them. At no cost? At the price of their dignity!

I have a note in my bible next to this passage that reads: Selective memory kills current successes and action.

When I look back on my memories, I don’t want to only remember the good, but I want to remember the real, the struggles, the hardships, the lessons learned. This is why I keep coming back to the Word, every day, to remind myself what my life was like before I truly dedicated my life to Him, and remember that I don’t want to turn back to my old ways. I will not allow myself to have selective memory.

“Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will eat it. You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, but for a whole month–until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it–because you have rejected the Lord, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’” (11:18-20, NIV)

When we are ungrateful to Him, it tends to turn around and bite us, doesn’t it? I can think of too many instances when I thought I really wanted something or someone and I begged and pleaded, and eventually got exactly what I asked for and realized why it wasn’t mine to begin with.

Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. (12:3, NIV)

I believe humility is among the first steps we must take in our walk with our Lord. When we humble ourselves before Him and before others in His name, we show our thankfulness for all that we have been given.

When we are doubtful of our calling to walk with God, or when we are challenged and scared, remember the words of Caleb: “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” (13:30, NIV)

He knew as we should know that God is able! When He sends us to do something, to act, to move, He will not let us fall unless that is all part of the greater plan He has in store for us. When we humble ourselves to follow His path for our lives, He will show us the way, give us a road map, and we will know with all certainty that we cannot fail.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 60 reading: Numbers, chapters 14-15 and Psalms 90

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Gifts & Talents, Numbers, Perseverance, Service, Trust

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53) “The Field Shall Yield Fruit”

“If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments,

and perform them, then I will give you rain in its season,

the land shall yield its produce,

and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.” (Leviticus 26:3-4, NKJV)

200236712-001Friends, we all want the nourishing rain to fall on these seeds that we are planting through our studies in His Word.

Day 53 reading: Leviticus, chapters 26-27

His healing rains fall, they fill us up, the nourish our bodies and souls, and cleanse us of our past wrong doings. His love covers us and endures more than we can imagine.

He reminds us constantly that He is walking among us and that He is the Lord our God. (26:12) If you are reading this now or following this journey with me, then you likely have already taken that step towards life eternal with Him. But we all risk slipping, so we must guard ourselves and continue our time with Him. This will deepen our relationship with Him. It will strengthen our walls of protection. And it will continue to thicken the foundation on which we are building up our temples in His holy name.

And, so, we have completed the book of Leviticus. If you are here, you have been brought here for a reason. I was called to lead this journey, and you were sent here to journey with me. Whatever your season in life, whatever your goals or needs, I believe the Lord directed you here so we could learn from one another, be open to seeing the Word fresh before us, and keep one another safe from outside destruction. Some days, I feel evil pushing in on the walls that I have built up around my heart so hard that I feel like they could cave in any moment, but so many times already on this journey, you have lifted me up and kept me strong. Sometimes it is a kind word or comment, sometimes it’s a pressing challenge that keeps me on my toes, other times it’s just the commitment to be here with you that keeps me focused. For all that and more, I thank you for being here and I thank the Lord daily for bringing us together.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 54 reading: Numbers 1-2

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Healing, Leviticus, Perseverance, Quiet time

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52) Rest from the World

Today’s reading is such a beautiful continuation of yesterday’s passage, and my focus on the repetition of I AM THE LORD, let us pick up right where we left off.

Day 52 reading: Leviticus, chapters 24-25

By the end of yesterday’s scripture passage, couldn’t you just hear our Creator’s voice booming, “I AM THE LORD.” I know I could!

So, on the heels of that, we have the first portion of today’s scripture passage:

BibleAnd the Israelite woman’s son blasphemed the name of the Lord and cursed; and so they brought him to Moses. (His mother’s name was Shelomith the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.)

Then they put him in custody, that the mind of the Lord might be shown to them.

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ”Take outside the camp him who has cursed; then let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him. Then you shall speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. And whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him, the stranger as well as him who is born in the land. When he blasphemes the name of the Lord, he shall be put to death.” (24:11-16, NKJV)

Yesterday, His Word reminded us again and again who our Lord was then and forever will be, and today we open with a young man blaspheming His holy name.

When we take the Lord’s name in vain, or when we speak against Him, or when we turn our hearts from Him, we are put to death. When we dismiss Him as our One and Only, we die. We die a death that we cannot actually even begin to fathom. It is beyond our understanding all that life could be. But if we turn from our Maker, we lose everlasting life. Period.

On the other hand, when we turn towards our Maker. When we ask the Lord for forgiveness. When we praise His holy name and shun evil, that is life!

“When he blasphemes the name of the Lord, he shall be put to death.” (24:16, NKJV)

And then, we get into ways to honor the Lord to an even greater extent. Now, I know I have trouble truly keeping the Sabbath DAY, but today’s passage also speaks of a Sabbath YEAR.

And the Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a sabbath to the Lord. Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the Lord. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. What grows of its own accord of your harvest you shall not reap, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine, for it is a year of rest for the land.” (25:1-5, NKJV)

Remembering every moment of every day that the only reason you and I have breath and life is our Lord, and maybe, hopefully, we can also remember to take time out to give Him the respect He deserves.

Every seventh day, He deserves our attention and our rest from the worldly duties that take up so much of our constant thoughts and energy.

He deserves for us to tithe our time as well as our money. 10% of our every day is roughly two and a half hours a day. It sounds like a lot of time, and I’m sure your first reaction is that you are already booked solid as it is, but let me tell you, friends, He is the best investment of your time you will ever make.

He deserves for us to look to Him in times of struggle as well as times of praise.

He deserves for us to seek His guidance through the good, the bad, and the ugly.

“Therefore you shall not oppress one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the Lord your God. So you shall observe My statutes and keep My judgments, and perform them; and you will dwell in the land in safety. Then the land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill, and dwell there in safety.” (25:17-19, NKJV)

I seek His favor and blessings. And I pray for them for you, as well.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 53 reading: Leviticus, chapters 26-27

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Eternity, Leviticus, Rules worth LIVING by, Seeing God

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51) Hear Him Speak: I AM THE LORD!

Day 51 reading: Leviticus, chapters 22-23

I love that in the first chapter of today’s reading, alone, there are nine times when God reminds us: I AM THE LORD.

  1. 22:2GOD Road Sign
  2. 22:3
  3. 22:8
  4. 22:9
  5. 22:16
  6. 22:30
  7. 22:31
  8. 22:32
  9. 22:33

I love the variations from translation to translation. I am the Lord. I am Jehovah (The Darby Translation). I am Adonai (The Complete Jewish Bible). I am God (The Message). I am Yahweh (World English Bible).

Sometimes, in the midst of our very human frailty, isn’t it a struggle to remember that He truly is the Lord? Why, when I am going through a tough time, do I ever allow the issue or problem or concern get me down? God is the Lord over all. No issue or problem or concern is bigger than the Lord our God and Creator. No issue! Hear Him speak: I AM THE LORD!

My friends, I find so often that it is when I lose sight of who my true Ruler is, that my life sees the most turmoil, that I handle things with the least grace, and that I feel the least in control of my world. But when I acknowledge Him, even in the midst of the storms there is calm. His Presence. He is the Lord. Glory to God!

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 52 reading: Leviticus, chapters 24-25

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Faith, Leviticus, Quiet time, Seeing God, Trust

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46) “For Today the Lord Will Appear to You.” (Lev 9:4)

Today’s reading is the culmination of the  chapter after chapter of instruction. Moses is anointing Aaron and his sons as priests, and sending them out to do the work of the Lord. This is an exciting day!

Day 46 reading: Leviticus, chapters 8-10road-signs-to-him-website-header.jpg

I liken today’s scripture studies to all of the reading we are doing here, all of the studying we’ve done on our own or with Bible study groups of other sorts, and all of the sermons and lessons we’ve heard over the course of our Christian walk…we are being sent out to do the work of the Lord, as well.

Moses said to the assembly, “This is what the Lord has commanded to be done.” (8:5, NIV)

I’m not Aaron, and I’m certainly no Moses, but I am commanded to do the work of the Lord every day, just as they were. I do not go through the ritual and cleansing and sacrificing and atoning that is lined out in today’s reading, but I have a Savior who lived to become my sacrifice. He laid His life down for me, so it is my job to lay my life down daily before God and ask one simple question: How do you want me to serve You today?

When we meet our Creator God in our own temple, our own Tent of Meeting, we experience His Presence and we glow as if we had also seen Him face to face.

How is His existence reflected in you today as you go out among the people you serve? How is He using you today to love others and to be His hands and feet? How do you shine?

Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown. (9:24, NIV)

Fall facedown in joy today at His all-consuming Presence in your life, and celebrate in the ministry of service to others.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 47 reading: Leviticus, chapters 11-13

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Leviticus, Rules worth LIVING by, Seeing God, Service

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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!

wpid-20120720_115016.jpg

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!!!

Category:

Health & Well Being, Venture Out!

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7) YOU ARE Predestined for Greatness

Welcome, to Day Seven! One week down, 51 to go! I feel like today is a mini-milestone and I am very excited to get into today’s scripture reading because it means that, together, we set out to do something awesome together, and have done that for seven straight days. Go us!!! Keep this up with me. If you stumble or fall, brush yourselves off and pick up where you left off. God doesn’t want to beat you up every time you make a mistake or miss the mark and neither do I. Together, we will read our Bibles in a year and will begin 2011 in a whole new Light! So, let’s continue.

Today’s reading: Job, chapters 14-16

This passage of scripture speaks to me personally. I know as we go along in our year of study, there will be some days that we just feel and some days that we have trouble even getting into. Today’s a day I can really get into. It speaks to me about my time and place here on Earth and living life through the flowing water of the Word of God that quenches me.

Man’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed” (14:5).  God tells us throughout the inspired Word that we lead predestined lives, and that our human nature uses it’s will to either go the ways God gently leads us, or fight against the current that flows down the path He has set for us. I fought for years against His will for my life. We can fight against Him and not even realize that we are fighting Him when we fight our parents or our leaders or other influential people in our lives. We never know what tools He is going to use to direct our steps, but I have chosen to prayerfully trust in Him to lead me every step of the way. No amount of “fun” that I could come up with is worth the eternal life of pure joy that I would be risking by not walking with God, for “man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure” (14:1-2). Our human bodies are not equipped to live the hard lives many of us put them through. Dependency on drugs, alcohol, and other addictive agents break us down, even when we think of them as the crutch that is holding us up. But the truth is that “man’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed” (14:5).

Our days are numbered. If you are still alive and on this Earth, you have not yet fulfilled the plan God has set for your life. I feel so very strongly about this passage of scripture because it also speaks to the great importance of good bodily health. You see, although our days are numbered and only God knows if we have eight more days or 80 more years left in this body, it is our job to keep our bodily temples healthy and strong because through a healthy body, we are better able to go out and participate in spreading God’s awesome message of love and hope to as many ears as we can reach.

Health, life, and longevity go far in spreading God’s love, like water flowing through the world feeding and nourishing all. “As water disappears from the sea or a riverbed becomes parched and dry, so man lies down and does not rise” (14:11-12). I am willing to put in the effort it takes for the Living Waters to never cease their flow through me so that my body and spirit can be continually nourished. We’ve all seen people, or maybe we’ve even been these people at times, who seem to be walking around, mere shells of the person they once were. That light, that spark, has seemed to gone out of their eyes. There’s no skip in their step, but it’s not because they’ve just grown old and can no longer skip, it’s because they’ve lost hope. When man loses hope, “he wanders about–food for vultures; he knows the day of darkness is at hand” (15:23). Dear friends, don’t lose hope, but keep your eyes on the prize of our God eternal.

My father has a saying that I have heard countless times throughout my life. When I would say something like, “I love this song,” or “Oh, I love those shoes,” my father would simply respond with, “It is ridiculous to love an inanimate object.” This life lesson came back to me today, “Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless, for he will get nothing in return” (15:31). When we accumulate things, or favor filling our bodies with junk instead of health, or opt out of exercise year after year in exchange for the couch and another hour of TV time, or don’t take stock of the important relationships in life, we lose sight of the road signs that are leading us along the path God has set for us. The stuff will give us nothing in return.

So many of the ways we as a culture entertain ourselves anymore are so worthless in the grand scheme of things. We “drink up evil like water” (15:16) and keep coming back for more. Like coming up on a car crash on the highway. Ambulances, fire trucks, police, and other emergency workers are on the scene taking care of business, yet we can’t help but slow down, lurk around, and just about cause another car accident just by not paying attention to our own business. Let’s make a pact here and now to TURN AWAY from the distractions that we know are not in God’s plan for us. He is with us always in spirit; if He were there walking and sitting and talking next to us in human bodily form, would we still turn on that television show that we know is only going to poison our thoughts? Would we still visit certain websites in hopes of finding some sick excuse for entertainment? Would we still let our words spew with hate and filth? He’s there friends, all of the time, and remembering that will help effect major changes in the way we do things. I love to remind myself of Him and that all time is time together with Him. He is with you and I in times of happiness and through our struggles, and He is available to us and gives us the go-ahead to be honest with Him in our trusts, and doubts, and fears, and desires; all you have to do is remember that He is God and He is able!

“O earth, do not cover my blood;
may my cry never be laid to rest!
Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
My intercessor is my friend
as my eyes pour out tears to God”
(16:19-21)

Tomorrow’s reading: Job, chapters 17-20

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Eternity, Health & Well Being, Job

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