Well, let's jump right in! 'Cuz I CAN'T wait for Monday! :) Today's reading included Lamentations 3-5.There is a LOT of good stuff in that portion of scripture. But something that stood out to me, as it has throughout our reading of Jeremiah and Ezekiel's writings, is the prominence of the false prophets and priests. In yesterday's reading, it said "Your prophets have predicted for you falsehood and delusion and foolish things. And they have not exposed your iniquity and guilt, to avert your captivity [by causing you to repent]; but they have divined and declared to you false and deceptive prophecies, worthless and misleading." Today, in chapter 4, after reciting all that was done to God's people, in the pouring out of His wrath, there is this interesting verse: "But this was for the sins of her false prophets and the iniquities of her priests...". Today, people still look up to, and follow evangelists, prophets, pastors, and teachers who can teach and preach in a charasmatic , believable way, and never call them to stop sinning and amend their ways (many pastors and teachers do not even address many issues as even being sin). Often, you hear people quoting other teachers they've heard, more often than they quote the Word. When asked what their thoughts are on a subject, their minds scramble to some teaching they have heard, or book they have read - but often they have never studied that subject themselves, to discover what the Holy Spirit and the Word have to say. Whenever we are ignorant of what GOD says, but well versed in what MAN says, we have put ourselves into a very vulnerable position, and are easy prey for the enemy to lead us astray (and in doing so, often we lead others astray with us). From the garden of Eden onward, satan has deceived people into disobedience, by subtly twisting what God really said, and cunningly luring them to ignorantly take him at his word that it was so. We in the United States, who all probably own several Bibles, are without excuse, when we choose to blindly follow the teachings of others, without studying the Word to see if it is so. Apparently, the Israelites, liked to listen to the feel good messages of the false prophets (whom they thought were true prophets, because they made God ought to just be a God of grace and mercy, saying peace, peace, where there was no peace). They didn't like to listen to the true prophets who admonished them to be obedient to what the Lord said to them. And although they erred, partly because they had been taught wrong, when the wrath of God was poured out because of the false prophets and priests, the people received the punishment upon themselves, also.I just think it should be a major warning and admonition to us, to always be studying the Word for ourselves, and not just believing what we are told, because that seems like the "easy" way. I love it, that we are studying the Word together, and encouraging one another, as the Word says to do.
Hi all-- Be patient. I am new to this format. I found this week's readings interesting, but wanted to share piggy-backing on Marlene's comments, my Bible memory verse (I had set for 1st Place and even though I can't continue with the program right now--I have found the discipline of having a weekly verse helpful) My verse for this week is that great one from Romans about no longer being conformed to the pattern of this world, but by the renewing of the mind. Then you will know God's will. I was really struck by the verb renewing . It reminds me, and this is where I think God's priests & prophets got off the trolley...pre-Babylonia, that we need to Re-NEW our knowledge of God daily....make it new again so we will be able, as the rest of the Romans verse says: "TO TEST AND APPROVE WHAT GOD'S WILL IS: So if we steep ourselves daily in His teachings and keep connected with others doing the same thing---- our God 'subscription' is always re-newed...it never expires. (That last part might possibly be influenced by Thea's Senior Magazine Sales this week....I do think the "renewal" analogy works though. Sandi
Interesting point, and parallel. I'm sure, as you pointed out, that the priests and prophets weren't sitting there every day, reading the Torah. In fact, as we saw while reading through Kings and Chronicles, the Law was continually being "lost" in some way, and it was only when it was stumbled upon and read, that leaders would tear their clothes, sit in sackcloth and ashes, and call for a national repentance.
Danielle was struggling this past week with doing her bible reading - she is just so tired every night. And getting up earlier than 6 is tough, since she does homework until 11. She asked me if God would be mad at her. I told her that our personal bible study time is for our benefit, not His. We don't do it because it's some rule, but because, as Sandi says, it actually helps us. Renewing the mind. Some days I don't feel like doing all the reading and today I was getting a little bit fed up with Ezekiel. Enough already! But it's like food - even if it doesn't taste all that good, it keeps us alive.
Well, actually, this is the week of Sept. 21-27. Hey, Aaron! We missed you Friday!Not to mention Monday! :) As usual, Bible Study was really good last night. As I was starting today's reading, I noticed the last verse from yesterday's, and wondered why I hadn't picked up one it at the time. The angel Gabriel is talking to Daniel: "But I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing or book of truth. There is no one who holds with me and strengthens himself against these [hostile spiritual forces] except Michael, your [national guardian angel] prince." Not sure what that tells us, but it certainly is thought-provoking! One of the [many] things that stood out to me in today's reading, is Luke 6:37. We have talked a lot about the fact that although there are places like this that seem to say not to judge, there are more places that say we are supposed to judge behavior (in the church, as opposed to in those who are in the world). Sometimes we agree with one another over it, and sometimes we "enjoy" a lively debate.:) Today, when reading this verse, it suddenly dawned on me, that it has to be read in context. In context the verse is in the midst of Jesus discussing the fact that as followers of His, He is calling us to a higher standard of living. He is calling us to Kingdom living. He is calling us to a life that is the complete opposite of the world's thinking. He discusses how we are supposed to respond to all kinds of evil against us - to turn the other cheek instead of striking back, to bless those we would ordinarily want to curse, to lend and not expect anything back, to love those we'd "naturally" be inclined to hate, to be kind to those who are not the least bit kind to us, to show mercy where no mercy would "naturally" be given. It seems to me, that in context, He is almost summing up His words in verse 37. It's like He is saying, "So, in other words, you are not being given the right to be the judge and executioner over those who do you wrong. That's not your job, and it's not your right. Leave judging your enemies to God. What you are to do, is just love them. He'll take care of what happens to them as a result of what they do to you." (here, by the way, is Strong's definition of the word used in that verse for "judge": "properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish:--avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think."
Poor Mordecai! It is very, very hard, to take a stand, and feel that you are pretty much standing alone. Here, Mordecai,knowing what the Word said, determined to obey God, rather than please man. He probably figured that if he was punished for it, so be it. I'm sure it never occurred to him, that the backlash of his choice, would be so far reaching. Can you imagine what must have been going through his mind, when he heard about the decree? "I thought I might be punished, but I never expected this! Because of my decision, my entire nation is going to be destroyed! Every man, woman, and child - all because I thought it best not to bow down to Haman! It's all my fault! Everyone is going to die, because of me. What if I'm wrong?? Maybe I am interpreting God's Word too strictly. Maybe I'm just being legalistic. Surely God would not want His whole nation to be killed just because of my choice. Maybe I should just go to Haman, and bow down to him, and ask him not to kill everyone. God would understand. I'll ask His forgiveness afterward. Besides, He knows my heart. I wouldn't be bowing down on the inside, and I would only be doing it to save others. That's the right thing to do, right? Think about others, more than I think about me? I'm probably interpreting it wrong in the first place. Nobody follows that rule anymore. What real harm would there be if I bowed down? It certainly would not be God's will for the innocent to suffer, would it? So, surely He would rather I bow down than to have that happen." Isn't that what we would think? Isn't that what those around us would counsel us? Especially the innocent who were going to be killed? Isn't that the stand the church in the world today takes on almost everything? I think the story of Mordecai, is a call to Christians everywhere, to obey, rather than to fail to please God. It wouldn't seem so hard, or so strange, if Christians (as a whole) were still living it "together", either. We need one another.We need one another's encouragement, arms and hearts linked together, in order to faithfully walk the narrow road, that Jesus has called us to. If we are His, we are on that road. If we aren't on that road . . . are we His?
That's a wonderful point. I never thought about how Mordecai would feel responsible. He probably never thought that obedience to God would cause the destruction of his people! He may have waivered. After all, Esther didn't stand up to the king. She didn't refuse to eat his food, as Daniel did. She probably had to do a lot of things that went against God's law (though we don't know for sure). Could I do it, knowing the effects it would have on myself and others? Not sure I could.
9 comments:
I love your comment at the top:
"A place for those who love to worship God, and for those who just can't wait for Monday to come around! ;)"
Well, let's jump right in! 'Cuz I CAN'T wait for Monday! :)
Today's reading included Lamentations 3-5.There is a LOT of good stuff in that portion of scripture. But something that stood out to me, as it has throughout our reading of Jeremiah and Ezekiel's writings, is the prominence of the false prophets and priests. In yesterday's reading, it said "Your prophets have predicted for you falsehood and delusion and foolish things. And they have not exposed your iniquity and guilt, to avert your captivity [by causing you to repent]; but they have divined and declared to you false and deceptive prophecies, worthless and misleading." Today, in chapter 4, after reciting all that was done to God's people, in the pouring out of His wrath, there is this interesting verse: "But this was for the sins of her false prophets and the iniquities of her priests...". Today, people still look up to, and follow evangelists, prophets, pastors, and teachers who can teach and preach in a charasmatic , believable way, and never call them to stop sinning and amend their ways (many pastors and teachers do not even address many issues as even being sin). Often, you hear people quoting other teachers they've heard, more often than they quote the Word. When asked what their thoughts are on a subject, their minds scramble to some teaching they have heard, or book they have read - but often they have never studied that subject themselves, to discover what the Holy Spirit and the Word have to say. Whenever we are ignorant of what GOD says, but well versed in what MAN says, we have put ourselves into a very vulnerable position, and are easy prey for the enemy to lead us astray (and in doing so, often we lead others astray with us). From the garden of Eden onward, satan has deceived people into disobedience, by subtly twisting what God really said, and cunningly luring them to ignorantly take him at his word that it was so. We in the United States, who all probably own several Bibles, are without excuse, when we choose to blindly follow the teachings of others, without studying the Word to see if it is so. Apparently, the Israelites, liked to listen to the feel good messages of the false prophets (whom they thought were true prophets, because they made God ought to just be a God of grace and mercy, saying peace, peace, where there was no peace). They didn't like to listen to the true prophets who admonished them to be obedient to what the Lord said to them. And although they erred, partly because they had been taught wrong, when the wrath of God was poured out because of the false prophets and priests, the people received the punishment upon themselves, also.I just think it should be a major warning and admonition to us, to always be studying the Word for ourselves, and not just believing what we are told, because that seems like the "easy" way.
I love it, that we are studying the Word together, and encouraging one another, as the Word says to do.
Hi all--
Be patient. I am new to this format.
I found this week's readings interesting, but wanted to share piggy-backing on Marlene's comments, my Bible memory verse (I had set for 1st Place and even though I can't continue with the program right now--I have found the discipline of having a weekly verse helpful) My verse for this week is that great one from Romans about no longer being conformed to the pattern of this world, but by the renewing of the mind. Then you will know God's will. I was really struck by the verb renewing . It reminds me, and this is where I think God's priests & prophets got off the trolley...pre-Babylonia, that we need to Re-NEW our knowledge of God daily....make it new again so we will be able, as the rest of the Romans verse says: "TO TEST AND APPROVE WHAT GOD'S WILL IS: So if we steep ourselves daily in His teachings and keep connected with others doing the same thing---- our God 'subscription' is always re-newed...it never expires. (That last part might possibly be influenced by Thea's Senior Magazine Sales this week....I do think the "renewal" analogy works though.
Sandi
Interesting point, and parallel. I'm sure, as you pointed out, that the priests and prophets weren't sitting there every day, reading the Torah. In fact, as we saw while reading through Kings and Chronicles, the Law was continually being "lost" in some way, and it was only when it was stumbled upon and read, that leaders would tear their clothes, sit in sackcloth and ashes, and call for a national repentance.
http://www.askelm.com/news/n060221.htm
Danielle was struggling this past week with doing her bible reading - she is just so tired every night. And getting up earlier than 6 is tough, since she does homework until 11. She asked me if God would be mad at her. I told her that our personal bible study time is for our benefit, not His. We don't do it because it's some rule, but because, as Sandi says, it actually helps us. Renewing the mind. Some days I don't feel like doing all the reading and today I was getting a little bit fed up with Ezekiel. Enough already! But it's like food - even if it doesn't taste all that good, it keeps us alive.
Well, actually, this is the week of Sept. 21-27. Hey, Aaron! We missed you Friday!Not to mention Monday! :)
As usual, Bible Study was really good last night. As I was starting today's reading, I noticed the last verse from yesterday's, and wondered why I hadn't picked up one it at the time. The angel Gabriel is talking to Daniel: "But I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing or book of truth. There is no one who holds with me and strengthens himself against these [hostile spiritual forces] except Michael, your [national guardian angel] prince." Not sure what that tells us, but it certainly is thought-provoking!
One of the [many] things that stood out to me in today's reading, is Luke 6:37. We have talked a lot about the fact that although there are places like this that seem to say not to judge, there are more places that say we are supposed to judge behavior (in the church, as opposed to in those who are in the world). Sometimes we agree with one another over it, and sometimes we "enjoy" a lively debate.:) Today, when reading this verse, it suddenly dawned on me, that it has to be read in context. In context the verse is in the midst of Jesus discussing the fact that as followers of His, He is calling us to a higher standard of living. He is calling us to Kingdom living. He is calling us to a life that is the complete opposite of the world's thinking. He discusses how we are supposed to respond to all kinds of evil against us - to turn the other cheek instead of striking back, to bless those we would ordinarily want to curse, to lend and not expect anything back, to love those we'd "naturally" be inclined to hate, to be kind to those who are not the least bit kind to us, to show mercy where no mercy would "naturally" be given. It seems to me, that in context, He is almost summing up His words in verse 37. It's like He is saying, "So, in other words, you are not being given the right to be the judge and executioner over those who do you wrong. That's not your job, and it's not your right. Leave judging your enemies to God. What you are to do, is just love them. He'll take care of what happens to them as a result of what they do to you."
(here, by the way, is Strong's definition of the word used in that verse for "judge": "properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish:--avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think."
Poor Mordecai! It is very, very hard, to take a stand, and feel that you are pretty much standing alone. Here, Mordecai,knowing what the Word said, determined to obey God, rather than please man. He probably figured that if he was punished for it, so be it. I'm sure it never occurred to him, that the backlash of his choice, would be so far reaching. Can you imagine what must have been going through his mind, when he heard about the decree? "I thought I might be punished, but I never expected this! Because of my decision, my entire nation is going to be destroyed! Every man, woman, and child - all because I thought it best not to bow down to Haman! It's all my fault! Everyone is going to die, because of me. What if I'm wrong?? Maybe I am interpreting God's Word too strictly. Maybe I'm just being legalistic. Surely God would not want His whole nation to be killed just because of my choice. Maybe I should just go to Haman, and bow down to him, and ask him not to kill everyone. God would understand. I'll ask His forgiveness afterward. Besides, He knows my heart. I wouldn't be bowing down on the inside, and I would only be doing it to save others. That's the right thing to do, right? Think about others, more than I think about me? I'm probably interpreting it wrong in the first place. Nobody follows that rule anymore. What real harm would there be if I bowed down? It certainly would not be God's will for the innocent to suffer, would it? So, surely He would rather I bow down than to have that happen." Isn't that what we would think? Isn't that what those around us would counsel us? Especially the innocent who were going to be killed? Isn't that the stand the church in the world today takes on almost everything? I think the story of Mordecai, is a call to Christians everywhere, to obey, rather than to fail to please God. It wouldn't seem so hard, or so strange, if Christians (as a whole) were still living it "together", either. We need one another.We need one another's encouragement, arms and hearts linked together, in order to faithfully walk the narrow road, that Jesus has called us to. If we are His, we are on that road. If we aren't on that road . . . are we His?
That's a wonderful point. I never thought about how Mordecai would feel responsible. He probably never thought that obedience to God would cause the destruction of his people! He may have waivered. After all, Esther didn't stand up to the king. She didn't refuse to eat his food, as Daniel did. She probably had to do a lot of things that went against God's law (though we don't know for sure). Could I do it, knowing the effects it would have on myself and others? Not sure I could.
Post a Comment