Judges 11-12:15; John 1:1-28; Psalm 101:1-8; Proverbs 14:13-14 (New International Version, ©2011)
38 “You may go,” he said. And he let her go for two months. She and her
friends went into the hills and wept because she would never marry. 39
After the two months, she returned to her father, and he did to her as
he had vowed. And she was a virgin.
Oh stupid man. Why vow to kill someone that comes out of your house.
Why not the 1st one our of your barn. Who did he think would come out?
Why God? Why don't you stop us in our foolishness. Tell us in our
prayers and petitions not to say such things. Help us to rethink our
vowes before we plunge someone, like this girl to her death. Lord I am
deeply troubled by the lack of direction you gave this man. You let him
vow in his stupidity and take the life of his daughter. Would I allow
such a vow to be made to me? No Lord. I would note make a promise to
anyone based on the harm of one of your children. Why Lord do you have
such passages that show you to be heartless? Speak peace to my heart
Lord for this has brought an anger and a place of injustice about you
Lord. I am asking you Lord to give an account for your inaction. I
demand to know your ways that I may love you. I will not brush over
this harm, you have more than permitted. Speak Lord for your servant
needs to understand. For I follow you because I trust you Lord to be
good and just.
"For none know the day and the hour of their death but I says the Lord.
This girl belonged to me. She was my beloved that also loved and
honored her Father even unto death. For it was her time to be in heaven
with me. Would you begrudge me if she had died any other way? Child
all life and death is my making. So child look not upon her death but
on the lesson her father needed to learn, for you already see it. Make
not stupid vowes. I let him keep it for I chose the one that came
through the door. For it was her time. It was in my mercy that I let
her come. For death would have taken her by sickness. She was my jewel
and I wanted more for her. She knows this now as she is seated with me
in heavenly places. She was given the rare gift of knowing the day of
her passing. Able to delight in her friends, in her health before
going."
I praise you and thank you Lord for showing me your ways. I thank you
and praise you that you have shown me the importance of questioning your
ways that I may fully know you. Not to take bitterness into my heart
toward you. For even your word is but half the conversation. Lord
forgive us for not persisting in our anger towards you to understand
your ways. Father every time I press forward with words that seem
almost dishonoring to speak you in turn honor me with an answer. Thank
Father for you have shown yourself more than my Lord but also my
friend. One that you have given the right to question you. For it is
in that place that I will know you. For I am more than your child I am
to be your bride.
John
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen
his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself
God and[b] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him
known.
Psalm
8 Every morning I will put to silence
all the wicked in the land;
I will cut off every evildoer
from the city of the LORD.
Proverbs
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
Monday, April 30, 2012
April 30, 2012
Judges 11-12; John 1:1-28; Psalm 101:1-8; Proverbs 14:13-14 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
1 Jephthah the Gileadite was a great warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute, and Gilead was his father.
7 Jephthah replied to the elders of Gilead, “Didn’t you hate me and drive me from my father’s house? Why then have you come to me now when you’re in trouble?”
(I remember the story of this man all to well. Last year it was with great trouble that i read it. Yet this year with the understanding the Lord has given me it it like the retelling of a story by an old friend. I hope that in my rejoicing of last years understanding i do not over look what you have for me this year. See 2nd post for this date for last years Rhema moment.)
John
1 In the beginning was the Word,[a]
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 All things were created through Him,
and apart from Him not one thing was created
that has been created.
4 Life was in Him,[b]
and that life was the light of men.
5 That light shines in the darkness,
yet the darkness did not overcome[c] it.
14 The Word became flesh[k]
and took up residence[l] among us.
We observed His glory,
the glory as the One and Only Son[m] from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
(It is with great joy that i read these words about the word of God. The word is beyond just living. it has been given a person hood. The word is called He. The word has a physical identity much like you and me. A plant is living but the word is living in a physical human like form. My words do not do justice to describe the concept of this truth. For i have nothing to compare this God like being, the word to, but God himself. Lord forgive us for limiting the word of God to that of just a book. So many books line our shelves with no life in them. Yet your words on the pages of this book are truly alive. I have wondered at times how just the reading the reading of God's word could be so powerful in my life. this is my answer. The word is God and in the reading of it He has been with me. Not that he has ever not been with me yet in my reading my Sprint man redeemed by the blood of the lamb communes and rebuilds me in his image. Not that I should live but that Christ the living word should live in and through me.)
23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord[r]—just as Isaiah the prophet said.”
(One crying in the wilderness. This resignates with my soul. Giving me joy as I am not alone in my tears. the Lord wiping away each one. Man may feel the need to fix me and stop me in my grief yet the Lord condemns me not in my sorrow. For this i rejoice and my heart is made glade.)
Psalm
4 A devious heart will be far from me;
I will not be involved with[a] evil.
(Lord forgive me for the times I have entertained devious thoughts. Lord let me have faith that you will take care of all that is before me.)
5 I will destroy anyone
who secretly slanders his neighbor;
I cannot tolerate anyone
with haughty eyes or an arrogant heart.
(Lord I pray this for my neighbor that is having trouble with another neighbor. Lord I ask that you give him faith the the Lord will be his strong tower. Lord please keep the peace on your street.)
Proverbs
13 Even in laughter a heart may be sad,
and joy may end in grief.
(This is a verse I know so well. Yet others may see this as a sadness yet I rejoice even in my sorrow as it brings me closer to my Lord.)
1 Jephthah the Gileadite was a great warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute, and Gilead was his father.
7 Jephthah replied to the elders of Gilead, “Didn’t you hate me and drive me from my father’s house? Why then have you come to me now when you’re in trouble?”
(I remember the story of this man all to well. Last year it was with great trouble that i read it. Yet this year with the understanding the Lord has given me it it like the retelling of a story by an old friend. I hope that in my rejoicing of last years understanding i do not over look what you have for me this year. See 2nd post for this date for last years Rhema moment.)
John
1 In the beginning was the Word,[a]
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 All things were created through Him,
and apart from Him not one thing was created
that has been created.
4 Life was in Him,[b]
and that life was the light of men.
5 That light shines in the darkness,
yet the darkness did not overcome[c] it.
14 The Word became flesh[k]
and took up residence[l] among us.
We observed His glory,
the glory as the One and Only Son[m] from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
(It is with great joy that i read these words about the word of God. The word is beyond just living. it has been given a person hood. The word is called He. The word has a physical identity much like you and me. A plant is living but the word is living in a physical human like form. My words do not do justice to describe the concept of this truth. For i have nothing to compare this God like being, the word to, but God himself. Lord forgive us for limiting the word of God to that of just a book. So many books line our shelves with no life in them. Yet your words on the pages of this book are truly alive. I have wondered at times how just the reading the reading of God's word could be so powerful in my life. this is my answer. The word is God and in the reading of it He has been with me. Not that he has ever not been with me yet in my reading my Sprint man redeemed by the blood of the lamb communes and rebuilds me in his image. Not that I should live but that Christ the living word should live in and through me.)
23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord[r]—just as Isaiah the prophet said.”
(One crying in the wilderness. This resignates with my soul. Giving me joy as I am not alone in my tears. the Lord wiping away each one. Man may feel the need to fix me and stop me in my grief yet the Lord condemns me not in my sorrow. For this i rejoice and my heart is made glade.)
Psalm
4 A devious heart will be far from me;
I will not be involved with[a] evil.
(Lord forgive me for the times I have entertained devious thoughts. Lord let me have faith that you will take care of all that is before me.)
5 I will destroy anyone
who secretly slanders his neighbor;
I cannot tolerate anyone
with haughty eyes or an arrogant heart.
(Lord I pray this for my neighbor that is having trouble with another neighbor. Lord I ask that you give him faith the the Lord will be his strong tower. Lord please keep the peace on your street.)
Proverbs
13 Even in laughter a heart may be sad,
and joy may end in grief.
(This is a verse I know so well. Yet others may see this as a sadness yet I rejoice even in my sorrow as it brings me closer to my Lord.)
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
April 28, 2012
Judges 8:17-9:21; Luke 23:44-24:12; Psalm 99:1-9; Proverbs 14:9-10 (Good News Translation)
Judges 8/9
27 Gideon made an idol from the gold and put it in his hometown, Ophrah. All the Israelites abandoned God and went there to worship the idol. It was a trap for Gideon and his family.
(what is up with these people? Gideon here at the end of a battle won by the hand fo the Lord he builds an alter with the plunder God has given him. Even in my waywardness i never turn my worship so another god. Before I seem proud and haughty I know that my actions are a form of worship to another god even if i don't call it as such. But these people I don't understand.)
5 He went to his father's house at Ophrah, and there on top of a single stone he killed his seventy brothers, Gideon's sons. But Jotham, Gideon's youngest son, hid and was not killed.
(Jotham then told this story:)
8 Once upon a time the trees went out to choose a king for themselves.
Olive tree - which is used to honor gods and human beings (honor)
Fig Tree - taste fruit
Grape vine - makes wine, that makes gods and human beings happy.
( so much talk in the bible about wine. He is another example of how wine makes people and god's happy. Yet a little "g" on that god. Who are these gods. Is this story encouraging drinking for the purpose of making ones self "happy" or is it merrily stating the facts?)
(I am trying to understand how to view this story. At 1st it appears to have a good message that should be taken to heart. Yet then things like the reference to these items resembles pagan worship. The little "g" in god. Wine to make us "happy." Who is Jotham anyway. What he a boy that followed after God's heart or was he just a pagan son that just lost all his brothers grasping for something to save his life. As a young boy he may have only lived during the time his Father too was under pagan worship of this idol he has made).
Luke 23/24
4 They stood there puzzled about this, when suddenly two men in bright shining clothes stood by them.
7The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and three days later rise to life.
(Praise God. The Lord is so gracious in light of how dimly we see him on this earth. for the women would have walked away without hope if it had not been for these to heavenly beings.)
Psalm 99
8 O Lord, our God, you answered your people;
you showed them that you are a God who forgives,
even though you punished them for their sins.
(Again I praise you that punishment must come with forgiveness of sin. At times you extend mercy yet we must reap what we sow.)
Proverbs 14
10 Your joy is your own; your bitterness is your own. No one can share them with you.
(I don't get this. Your joy and bitterness is your own. Yet both we carry with us and effect the people around us. Lord help me to understand this one.)
Judges 8/9
27 Gideon made an idol from the gold and put it in his hometown, Ophrah. All the Israelites abandoned God and went there to worship the idol. It was a trap for Gideon and his family.
(what is up with these people? Gideon here at the end of a battle won by the hand fo the Lord he builds an alter with the plunder God has given him. Even in my waywardness i never turn my worship so another god. Before I seem proud and haughty I know that my actions are a form of worship to another god even if i don't call it as such. But these people I don't understand.)
5 He went to his father's house at Ophrah, and there on top of a single stone he killed his seventy brothers, Gideon's sons. But Jotham, Gideon's youngest son, hid and was not killed.
(Jotham then told this story:)
8 Once upon a time the trees went out to choose a king for themselves.
Olive tree - which is used to honor gods and human beings (honor)
Fig Tree - taste fruit
Grape vine - makes wine, that makes gods and human beings happy.
( so much talk in the bible about wine. He is another example of how wine makes people and god's happy. Yet a little "g" on that god. Who are these gods. Is this story encouraging drinking for the purpose of making ones self "happy" or is it merrily stating the facts?)
(I am trying to understand how to view this story. At 1st it appears to have a good message that should be taken to heart. Yet then things like the reference to these items resembles pagan worship. The little "g" in god. Wine to make us "happy." Who is Jotham anyway. What he a boy that followed after God's heart or was he just a pagan son that just lost all his brothers grasping for something to save his life. As a young boy he may have only lived during the time his Father too was under pagan worship of this idol he has made).
Luke 23/24
4 They stood there puzzled about this, when suddenly two men in bright shining clothes stood by them.
7The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and three days later rise to life.
(Praise God. The Lord is so gracious in light of how dimly we see him on this earth. for the women would have walked away without hope if it had not been for these to heavenly beings.)
Psalm 99
8 O Lord, our God, you answered your people;
you showed them that you are a God who forgives,
even though you punished them for their sins.
(Again I praise you that punishment must come with forgiveness of sin. At times you extend mercy yet we must reap what we sow.)
Proverbs 14
10 Your joy is your own; your bitterness is your own. No one can share them with you.
(I don't get this. Your joy and bitterness is your own. Yet both we carry with us and effect the people around us. Lord help me to understand this one.)
Friday, April 27, 2012
April 27, 2012
Judges 7-8:16; Luke 23:11-43; Psalm 97-98:9; Proverbs 14:7-8 (Good News Translation)
(Lord help me as I explore your word. For my thoughts are in many directions this morning.)
22 While Gideon's men were blowing their trumpets, the Lord made the enemy troops attack each other with their swords.
( I love how the Lord does all this.)
Luke
27 A large crowd of people followed him; among them were some women who were weeping and wailing for him.28 Jesus turned to them and said,
Women of Jerusalem! Don't cry for me, but for yourselves and your children.29 For the days are coming when people will say,
How lucky are the women who never had children, who never bore babies, who never nursed them!
(What pain it will be in that day.)
Psalm
7 Roar, sea, and every creature in you;
sing, earth, and all who live on you!
8 Clap your hands, you rivers;
you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord,
(So beautiful are these words.)
(Not much inspiration yet this morning. Yet Lord I pray that you will bring your word to my remembrance all day long. That your truth will rise up out of my heart and be revealed to me. That it will cleans me and make me whole that I can give it as choice food to all those you put in my path. Yet for this mornings readings my ears and eyes seem to have only touched the surface of the pages. Forgive me Lord for being so distracted in my thoughts. Yet I stand firm in the knowledge of who I am in Christ knowing full well that nothing can separate me from the love of God. Not even my own undoing. Praise God that you have me in the palm of your hand.)
(Lord help me as I explore your word. For my thoughts are in many directions this morning.)
22 While Gideon's men were blowing their trumpets, the Lord made the enemy troops attack each other with their swords.
( I love how the Lord does all this.)
Luke
27 A large crowd of people followed him; among them were some women who were weeping and wailing for him.28 Jesus turned to them and said,
Women of Jerusalem! Don't cry for me, but for yourselves and your children.29 For the days are coming when people will say,
How lucky are the women who never had children, who never bore babies, who never nursed them!
(What pain it will be in that day.)
Psalm
7 Roar, sea, and every creature in you;
sing, earth, and all who live on you!
8 Clap your hands, you rivers;
you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord,
(So beautiful are these words.)
(Not much inspiration yet this morning. Yet Lord I pray that you will bring your word to my remembrance all day long. That your truth will rise up out of my heart and be revealed to me. That it will cleans me and make me whole that I can give it as choice food to all those you put in my path. Yet for this mornings readings my ears and eyes seem to have only touched the surface of the pages. Forgive me Lord for being so distracted in my thoughts. Yet I stand firm in the knowledge of who I am in Christ knowing full well that nothing can separate me from the love of God. Not even my own undoing. Praise God that you have me in the palm of your hand.)
Thursday, April 26, 2012
April 26, 2012
Judges 6:1-40; Luke 22:55-23:10; Psalm 95-96:13; Proverbs 14:5-6 (Good News Translation)
15 Gideon replied,
But Lord, how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least important member of my family.
(I thank you Lord for how many times you expose those that don't think very highly of themselves to be used by you. My weaknesses I wear often like this Gideon. If only I was not so emotional God could use me mightily. Yet hear I am so humble to share what you have given me for Won't others see me in my incomplete state. Surely joy and mourning can't be of the same breath. Yet they are for me. My thorn in my side. Tears wept daily. some for me, some for others, some just for compassion I see between people. So I say don't wait to be used by God. I am going to step out boldly for my Lord.)
17 Gideon replied,
If you are pleased with me, give me some proof that you are really the Lord.
(Pleased with me. Oh how many times I have said those words.)
32 From then on Gideon was known as Jerubbaal,[c] because Joash said,
Let Baal defend himself; it is his altar that was torn down.
(What boldness it must have taken for him to say these words. A fearful man that did God's bidding in the night hoping beyond hope that he would not be called into account for his actions.)
40 That night God did that very thing. The next morning the wool was dry, but the ground was wet with dew.
(I just love this story. I praise God that we know so many of these from childhood. i can see the story book in my head.)
Luke
Before the rooster crows tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me.62 Peter went out and wept bitterly.
(What grace you had for Peter letting him know that you knew he would do this. See Jesus said he would still love him even though he would deny him.)
4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds,
I find no reason to condemn this man.
(How many times do we do what we publicly declare as wrong because we feel we must. Lord forgive us for doing what people want when our hearts tell us it is wrong. More importantly your Word tells us it is wrong.)
Psalms 95
3 For the Lord is a mighty God,
a mighty king over all the gods.
Psalm 96
5 The gods of all other nations are only idols,
but the Lord created the heavens.
(Thank you Lord. You have answered my pray regarding other gods. A man had planted this idea in my head that their were other gods. Yet you have made it clear in your word that all these other gods are but created images.
15 Gideon replied,
But Lord, how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least important member of my family.
(I thank you Lord for how many times you expose those that don't think very highly of themselves to be used by you. My weaknesses I wear often like this Gideon. If only I was not so emotional God could use me mightily. Yet hear I am so humble to share what you have given me for Won't others see me in my incomplete state. Surely joy and mourning can't be of the same breath. Yet they are for me. My thorn in my side. Tears wept daily. some for me, some for others, some just for compassion I see between people. So I say don't wait to be used by God. I am going to step out boldly for my Lord.)
17 Gideon replied,
If you are pleased with me, give me some proof that you are really the Lord.
(Pleased with me. Oh how many times I have said those words.)
32 From then on Gideon was known as Jerubbaal,[c] because Joash said,
Let Baal defend himself; it is his altar that was torn down.
(What boldness it must have taken for him to say these words. A fearful man that did God's bidding in the night hoping beyond hope that he would not be called into account for his actions.)
40 That night God did that very thing. The next morning the wool was dry, but the ground was wet with dew.
(I just love this story. I praise God that we know so many of these from childhood. i can see the story book in my head.)
Luke
Before the rooster crows tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me.62 Peter went out and wept bitterly.
(What grace you had for Peter letting him know that you knew he would do this. See Jesus said he would still love him even though he would deny him.)
4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds,
I find no reason to condemn this man.
(How many times do we do what we publicly declare as wrong because we feel we must. Lord forgive us for doing what people want when our hearts tell us it is wrong. More importantly your Word tells us it is wrong.)
Psalms 95
3 For the Lord is a mighty God,
a mighty king over all the gods.
Psalm 96
5 The gods of all other nations are only idols,
but the Lord created the heavens.
(Thank you Lord. You have answered my pray regarding other gods. A man had planted this idea in my head that their were other gods. Yet you have made it clear in your word that all these other gods are but created images.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
April 25, 2012
Judges 4-5:31; Luke 22:35-54; Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 14:3-4 (Good News Translation)
4 Now Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet, and she was serving as a judge for the Israelites at that time.
(I thank you and praise you Lord for showing us in your word these powerful women that you spoke through. Our faith is not one for the men 1st and then the women. We are all equal in your sight. divinely placed to do your bidding.
Deborah, Deborah, so much I would like to ask of you. What was it like to be a bold women of God in a man's world? Where did God take you in your life? How was your marriage? How did you spend time with the Lord? Lord I may not be able to speak to Deborah, yet I can speak to you that knows her full well. Lord speak to me of her life that goes beyond the pages of your holy book that I to may become more and more like these women of God. Not that I should boast but that I may do your will.)
9 She answered,
All right, I will go with you, but you won't get any credit for the victory, because the Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman.
(What direct words she speaks to this man. Would I not try to walk around such a truth. No credit for you. Lord give me such boldness when you have it for me to speak. Lord let me fear you more than I do man. Where is this women's husband in all this? She did not waist time in saying she would go out to battle. Did she not have home and children to tend to? Did her husband go with her? What kind of man was he to be yoked to a prophet?)
21 Sisera was so tired that he fell sound asleep. Then Jael took a hammer and a tent peg, quietly went up to him, and killed him by driving the peg right through the side of his head and into the ground.
(What am I to make of Jael? She told this man he would be safe to come into her tent? Does God allow deception to do his will? Lord did you speak to her in a dream or a vision to show her what she must do? Where else are we told of this women's life? What is she all about? Was she known in her community as a women of faith? How long had she served you and known you? Or was she just the vessel that you chose to use to fulfill what the prophet spoke?)
Luke
43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
(Lord I have always ask of you for strength. Is it your angels that carry out the request? How do they strengthen us? I can't wait till heaven, where all the mysteries will be unfolded. Lord to see where your hand, your legions of angels came to my aid night and day. Seeing my life in full view of my reality and yours together as one. Lord I thank you when I have but a glimmer of the working of the heavenly realm amidst us each day. Stopping the enemy, strengthening us, confusing those that plot against your people. Wow. What will you do on my behalf today. Lord I pray that I may see more, that I can testify of your greatness. That others would see how much you love them. For you are still laying down your life daily to save us from peril.)
51 But Jesus said,
Enough of this! He touched the man's ear and healed him.
(Healed him. Did you just read that? Preaching of his power in the very moment of his capture. Yet in the face of people like you and me that love the Lord but sorely don't know the father will. Here we are waving our swords around for Christ, as he has put them in our hands. Please Lord show us, lead us. That you need not heal those WE Christians wound in your name.)
53 I was with you in the Temple every day, and you did not try to arrest me. But this is your hour to act, when the power of darkness rules.
(The power of darkness rules. Are there days like this in our lives? That we need to be aware? Lord forgive us for walking about carefree without a care in the world. You have more than forewarned us of the dangers that lurk. Yet our protection lives within us. It is our salvation. Yet feed not the Spirit man you have placed inside of us and it will not be strong enough to fight against the schemes of the enemy. Lord let us gird ourselves in all truth that our Spirit man be the one that speaks and does our bidding. For it is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me.)
Psalm
14 The Lord will not abandon his people;
he will not desert those who belong to him.
(Lord help me to hold fast to these words in the seasons of my life where I feel as if I am standing on faulty ground. Yet it is you I stand on, not my circumstances.)
19 Whenever I am anxious and worried,
you comfort me and make me glad.
(Lord forgive me for wallowing at times in my anxious thoughts. Lord let me run into your arms, pondering not what worries me. For you are the lifter of my head and your right hand will strengthen me.)
Proverbs
3 Proud fools talk too much; the words of the wise protect them.
(Lord I do talk a lot. Lord please hold my tongue and the pen in my hand. That I would but speak what you would have others to hear. Lord let my foolishness remain not in there ears. Lord let only your wisdom remain. Yet Lord I will speak all day long of your amazing greatness. For I will be a fool for you.)
4 Now Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet, and she was serving as a judge for the Israelites at that time.
(I thank you and praise you Lord for showing us in your word these powerful women that you spoke through. Our faith is not one for the men 1st and then the women. We are all equal in your sight. divinely placed to do your bidding.
Deborah, Deborah, so much I would like to ask of you. What was it like to be a bold women of God in a man's world? Where did God take you in your life? How was your marriage? How did you spend time with the Lord? Lord I may not be able to speak to Deborah, yet I can speak to you that knows her full well. Lord speak to me of her life that goes beyond the pages of your holy book that I to may become more and more like these women of God. Not that I should boast but that I may do your will.)
9 She answered,
All right, I will go with you, but you won't get any credit for the victory, because the Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman.
(What direct words she speaks to this man. Would I not try to walk around such a truth. No credit for you. Lord give me such boldness when you have it for me to speak. Lord let me fear you more than I do man. Where is this women's husband in all this? She did not waist time in saying she would go out to battle. Did she not have home and children to tend to? Did her husband go with her? What kind of man was he to be yoked to a prophet?)
21 Sisera was so tired that he fell sound asleep. Then Jael took a hammer and a tent peg, quietly went up to him, and killed him by driving the peg right through the side of his head and into the ground.
(What am I to make of Jael? She told this man he would be safe to come into her tent? Does God allow deception to do his will? Lord did you speak to her in a dream or a vision to show her what she must do? Where else are we told of this women's life? What is she all about? Was she known in her community as a women of faith? How long had she served you and known you? Or was she just the vessel that you chose to use to fulfill what the prophet spoke?)
Luke
43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
(Lord I have always ask of you for strength. Is it your angels that carry out the request? How do they strengthen us? I can't wait till heaven, where all the mysteries will be unfolded. Lord to see where your hand, your legions of angels came to my aid night and day. Seeing my life in full view of my reality and yours together as one. Lord I thank you when I have but a glimmer of the working of the heavenly realm amidst us each day. Stopping the enemy, strengthening us, confusing those that plot against your people. Wow. What will you do on my behalf today. Lord I pray that I may see more, that I can testify of your greatness. That others would see how much you love them. For you are still laying down your life daily to save us from peril.)
51 But Jesus said,
Enough of this! He touched the man's ear and healed him.
(Healed him. Did you just read that? Preaching of his power in the very moment of his capture. Yet in the face of people like you and me that love the Lord but sorely don't know the father will. Here we are waving our swords around for Christ, as he has put them in our hands. Please Lord show us, lead us. That you need not heal those WE Christians wound in your name.)
53 I was with you in the Temple every day, and you did not try to arrest me. But this is your hour to act, when the power of darkness rules.
(The power of darkness rules. Are there days like this in our lives? That we need to be aware? Lord forgive us for walking about carefree without a care in the world. You have more than forewarned us of the dangers that lurk. Yet our protection lives within us. It is our salvation. Yet feed not the Spirit man you have placed inside of us and it will not be strong enough to fight against the schemes of the enemy. Lord let us gird ourselves in all truth that our Spirit man be the one that speaks and does our bidding. For it is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me.)
Psalm
14 The Lord will not abandon his people;
he will not desert those who belong to him.
(Lord help me to hold fast to these words in the seasons of my life where I feel as if I am standing on faulty ground. Yet it is you I stand on, not my circumstances.)
19 Whenever I am anxious and worried,
you comfort me and make me glad.
(Lord forgive me for wallowing at times in my anxious thoughts. Lord let me run into your arms, pondering not what worries me. For you are the lifter of my head and your right hand will strengthen me.)
Proverbs
3 Proud fools talk too much; the words of the wise protect them.
(Lord I do talk a lot. Lord please hold my tongue and the pen in my hand. That I would but speak what you would have others to hear. Lord let my foolishness remain not in there ears. Lord let only your wisdom remain. Yet Lord I will speak all day long of your amazing greatness. For I will be a fool for you.)
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
April 24, 2012
Judges 2:10-3:31, Luke 22:14-34, Ps 92:1-93:5, Pr 14:1-2
20 Then the Lord would become furious with Israel and say,
This nation has broken the covenant that I commanded their ancestors to keep. Because they have not obeyed me,21 I will no longer drive out any of the nations that were still in the land when Joshua died.22 I will use them to find out whether or not these Israelites will follow my ways, as their ancestors did.
( God is withholding his protection. How many times do we just go along with our lives under the protection of the Lord. With no idea what foe would attack us and win, if not under his protection. We walk around feeling so big against our enemies yet we are life children in our fathers armor. Lord that we not forsake you and come out from your covering.)
31 The next leader was Shamgar son of Anath. He too rescued Israel, and did so by killing six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad.
(Rescue by killing. a concept so foreign to me. Lord help me to see that war and death is part of life.)
Luke 22
26 But this is not the way it is with you; rather, the greatest one among you must be like the youngest, and the leader must be like the servant.27 Who is greater, the one who sits down to eat or the one who serves? The one who sits down, of course. But I am among you as one who serves.
(Teach me how to embrace the heart of a servant. Show me how to do this with my children. I find myself constantly correcting even the smallest of offenses in them. Thinking I am molding them. Yet I fear I am wounding their spirit more than giving them direction. Lord let my corrections be few while my prayers be many.)
31 Simon, Simon! Listen! Satan has received permission to test all of you, to separate the good from the bad, as a farmer separates the wheat from the chaff.
(Lord help us to realize that Satan is still standing before God asking permission to sift us. Lord let me be so close to you that he can't touch me. That in those days that he does. Let my spiritual eyes see his temptations and schemes for what they are that I may not sin against you.)
Proverbs 14
1 Homes are made by the wisdom of women, but are destroyed by foolishness.
(What an awesome responsibility. Lord let your wisdom flow through me this day that I bring it to my home. Lord for i need much direction in being a homemaker.)
Monday, April 23, 2012
April 23, 2012
Judges 1-2:9; Luke 21:29-22:13; Psalm 90-91:16; Proverbs 13:24-25 (Good News Translation)
Luke 21
32 Remember that all these things will take place before the people now living have all died.33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
(Your word is all that I seek. for it is living and active. it will transform my heart and make me glad.)
The Need to Watch
34 Be careful not to let yourselves become occupied with too much feasting and drinking and with the worries of this life, or that Day may suddenly catch you35 like a trap. For it will come upon all people everywhere on earth.36 Be on watch and pray always that you will have the strength to go safely through all those things that will happen and to stand before the Son of Man.(How interesting that it speaks to worries and drinking. Is it not so that when we are out of God's presence as a people we fall prey to these temptations. Some to worry some to wine. Let it me are warning that we have strayed from his safety if we are prey to either.)
Luke 22
3 Then Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples.4 So Judas went off and spoke with the chief priests and the officers of the Temple guard about how he could betray Jesus to them.
(Forgive me Lord for looking down on Judas. He was entered by Satan, not just one of his minions but the Satan himself. Who could withstand him power. Lord I pray that their be no open door in my heart for the enemy to come in and wreck havoc on my heart and do so much harm to others.)
Psalm 90
14 Fill us each morning with your constant love,
so that we may sing and be glad all our life.
15 Give us now as much happiness as the sadness you gave us
during all our years of misery.
(I thank you Lord for you see our misery yet you will not leave us there.)
Psalm 91
11 God will put his angels in charge of you
to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
to keep you from hurting your feet on the stones.
13 You will trample down lions and snakes,
fierce lions and poisonous snakes.
(Lord I pray for the awareness of the angles that you have encamped around me. Lord let me see your mighty hand set out to keep me safe that i may glorify you. Lord let me see how you have caused me to trample the enemies of my soul that have roared in my face as a fierce lion and sneaked into my house as a snake. Lord let me be discerning and not afraid to stand my ground in you against those that have come to bring harm)
(Lord birth an undying confidence and resolve inside of me that dams up my tears and rage that are rushing constantly at the gates of my heart. Here I am Lord. Forgive me for forgoing this joyous time of penning my love letter to you daily. Forgive me for thinking i could do more with less. This is how you speak to me and I will set my heart to hear from you every day. Lord I pray you would bless the rest of my day with strength and clarity of mind. Lord let the productivity of my hands be double. Lord let me rejoice and have time to play with my children. Lord let the words of my mouth and my actions bring others closer to you this day. Lord let me share Christ with those in my hearing. Amen.)
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