Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Quotes 5....
Quotes 5.…“You’ve no idea how far I’ve come to be with you.”
That quote is from my favorite movie. It’s a story about Elise McKenna and Richard Collier. He traveled time and space to be with her.
Another line I really love… “…come back to me…”
Time had separated them.
Only God is sovereign over time. The movie it fiction. Extreme fiction…
God’s sovereignty is not. God’s sovereignty is truth. Absolute truth.
Do you have any idea how far He came to be with us?
“For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38)
Have you heard Him whisper to you, “come back to Me.”?
“….come to me to have life.” (John 5:40)
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Mt. 11:28-30)
He left the perfection of heaven to rescue me and restore my damaged and broken relationship with my Creator God.
I can’t fathom how far He came and all that He gave up. For me.
And you.
Quotes 4....
Quotes 4... “I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it.”….
I forget the details of the scene this was from, but I do remember that the character who said it had his own brand of rude behavior. He tolerated that just fine….
We are all guilty of setting the standard for ‘rude behavior’. We are all guilty of tolerating our own just fine. Maybe it’s just me….but I doubt it.
The standard of behavior is set. Not by you, or me. We have been given a written definition, and we have had it fleshed out to us in Jesus Christ. He is the standard for all human behavior. God Himself is the standard.
You won’t measure up any better than I do, don’t kid yourself.
And He will not tolerate our ‘rude behavior’….our sin will not go without notice nor without punishment.
UNLESS we have One to bear the penalty in our stead.
“For God WILL bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecc. 12:14 emphasis mine)
Don’t think you can get away with anything less than the perfection of a holy God. And you have already messed that up….no way around it, no way to go back and un-do it, no way to prevent sin from sticking its ugly head up again today, and tomorrow, and the next day….
Even though God loves everyone of us with a passion beyond our comprehension, He can not, and will not tolerate ‘rude behavior’. He can not and will not allow sin to go without it’s reward.
He didn’t even do it for the angels… “ the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.” (Jude 1:6) They too will be held to account.
He spoke over and over to His chosen nation of Israel, warning them that He would not forever tolerate their sin and rebellion. “ When the LORD could no longer endure your wicked actions and the detestable things you did, your land became an object of cursing and a desolate waste without inhabitants, as it is today” (Jer. 44:22)
I wonder this morning how much longer He will tolerate….. I wonder that He has not begun to bring discipline on our land.
I forget the details of the scene this was from, but I do remember that the character who said it had his own brand of rude behavior. He tolerated that just fine….
We are all guilty of setting the standard for ‘rude behavior’. We are all guilty of tolerating our own just fine. Maybe it’s just me….but I doubt it.
The standard of behavior is set. Not by you, or me. We have been given a written definition, and we have had it fleshed out to us in Jesus Christ. He is the standard for all human behavior. God Himself is the standard.
You won’t measure up any better than I do, don’t kid yourself.
And He will not tolerate our ‘rude behavior’….our sin will not go without notice nor without punishment.
UNLESS we have One to bear the penalty in our stead.
“For God WILL bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecc. 12:14 emphasis mine)
Don’t think you can get away with anything less than the perfection of a holy God. And you have already messed that up….no way around it, no way to go back and un-do it, no way to prevent sin from sticking its ugly head up again today, and tomorrow, and the next day….
Even though God loves everyone of us with a passion beyond our comprehension, He can not, and will not tolerate ‘rude behavior’. He can not and will not allow sin to go without it’s reward.
He didn’t even do it for the angels… “ the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.” (Jude 1:6) They too will be held to account.
He spoke over and over to His chosen nation of Israel, warning them that He would not forever tolerate their sin and rebellion. “ When the LORD could no longer endure your wicked actions and the detestable things you did, your land became an object of cursing and a desolate waste without inhabitants, as it is today” (Jer. 44:22)
I wonder this morning how much longer He will tolerate….. I wonder that He has not begun to bring discipline on our land.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Quotes 3....
Quotes 3.… “Are we lost, daddy?”…..
That quote is from a children’s book. I read it dozens of times. I don’t remember where it came from, and unfortunately, I don’t know what happened to it. It is out of print, so I’ve given up on having a copy again. As many times as I read it, I should be able to quote every page :)
The story was about a family going on vacation. They drove and drove, the father navigating just on the information he had HEARD about the destination and how to get there.
Soon, they began to see the same sights they had driven past already. They weren’t getting any closer to the vacation spot.
Eventually, they stopped and asked someone along the way. But the information given was incorrect. They ended up making yet another round, ending up no closer than before.
Finally, the father pulled out a map. Duh.
Are we lost? You bet.
Whose information are you basing your journey on?
Who are you asking direction from?
Ever think about pulling out the map? It’s probably laying around somewhere. It has the letters B-I-B-L-E printed on the outside.
“…the Holy Scriptures… are able to teach you how to be saved by believing in Christ Jesus. God has breathed life into all of Scripture.
It is useful for teaching us what is true.
It is useful for correcting our mistakes.
It is useful for making our lives whole again.
It is useful for training us to do what is right.
By using Scripture, a man of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing. (2 Tim. 3:15-17)
Monday, September 12, 2011
Quote 2...
Quotes 2... I continue to think about the common practice of quoting…lyrics, poems, some well known person or author…a line taken from a movie, or just out of an ordinary conversation…
Today I heard from a friend who felt like nobody cared really…unless they wanted something. I think we probably all feel that way from time to time. Used and abused. We can respond by making our heart harder, deciding to not care….or maybe even having a pity party, which I’m usually guilty of.
I was troubled that my friend felt like that today. He knows in his heart of heart that it’s simply not true…but sometimes we just need to hear it from those who do care, from those who have no strings attached to their love for us.
As I thought about it, I remembered a movie I watched once.
One of the scenes portrayed a young man talking to God. He was asking God how he could get someone to love him. He had lost his girlfriend, and had tried roping the moon for her along with all kinds of other tricks and tactics, only to have her refuse him.
“How do you make somebody love you?” the guy asked of God.
“I don’t know…”, answered God.
That is so profound to me.
If God chose to force us to love Him, love would no longer be love would it?
We get to pick…. Love Him, or not love Him. He won’t force us.
“… I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame and have sat down with My Father in His throne.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Rev. 3:20-22)
Friday, September 9, 2011
Quotes....
Quotes… It is a common practice these days to use a line from some song, a movie, or some little or well known person…
One of the quotes I often here is ‘How’s this gonna work, if you don’t do what I say…?”
I’ll let you guess where that quote comes from.
My God has a sense of humor. This morning, He says the same thing to me.
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and still don't do what I say?” That is quoting the words of Jesus as recorded in Luke 6:46.
Maybe I’m the only one He has to keep saying that to…but I doubt it.
How’s this gonna work, if you don’t do what I say…..
One of the quotes I often here is ‘How’s this gonna work, if you don’t do what I say…?”
I’ll let you guess where that quote comes from.
My God has a sense of humor. This morning, He says the same thing to me.
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and still don't do what I say?” That is quoting the words of Jesus as recorded in Luke 6:46.
Maybe I’m the only one He has to keep saying that to…but I doubt it.
How’s this gonna work, if you don’t do what I say…..
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Follow...
Follow… Or would you rather lead, be in front, choose the direction…
I admit it. I like to lead. I like to pick the way to go. And I also admit that if I’m not leading, I’m prone to tell you how to get there too.
“Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the LORD promised on oath to your ancestors.” (Deut. 8:1)
I fully realize that these words were spoken to a nation of people concerning a literal, geographical piece of property…land. But I believe every word of scripture has a message for every person of every time. This morning, I hear Him saying once again…. ‘…follow Me Connie. Listen and remember what I have said so you can have a fuller and fuller life. Follow Me, don’t get ahead of Me. You will never be able to get there on your own….please, listen to Me, I know what I‘m talking about.”
Sigh…sometimes He just doesn’t go fast enough. Sometimes He picks a road with too many curves and bumps. And I complain and whine.
“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.” (verse 2)
So I’ve make another round in the wilderness, learning…and this morning, I want the ‘so that’ of verse 1.
So, I purpose in my heart once again to follow.
Even though it seems to me He is going waaaaay too slow….
.
I admit it. I like to lead. I like to pick the way to go. And I also admit that if I’m not leading, I’m prone to tell you how to get there too.
“Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the LORD promised on oath to your ancestors.” (Deut. 8:1)
I fully realize that these words were spoken to a nation of people concerning a literal, geographical piece of property…land. But I believe every word of scripture has a message for every person of every time. This morning, I hear Him saying once again…. ‘…follow Me Connie. Listen and remember what I have said so you can have a fuller and fuller life. Follow Me, don’t get ahead of Me. You will never be able to get there on your own….please, listen to Me, I know what I‘m talking about.”
Sigh…sometimes He just doesn’t go fast enough. Sometimes He picks a road with too many curves and bumps. And I complain and whine.
“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.” (verse 2)
So I’ve make another round in the wilderness, learning…and this morning, I want the ‘so that’ of verse 1.
So, I purpose in my heart once again to follow.
Even though it seems to me He is going waaaaay too slow….
.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Supplication...
Supplication… Webster says it is an earnest request….
I don’t use the word in conversation, don’t hear anyone else use it really. It is one of those Bible words, a word connected to prayer, directed toward God.
As I complete my reflecting on Psalm 119 this morning, I am challenged about my prayer life…. “Let my supplication come before Thee…” (verse 170) “…Give my request your personal attention.” (v. 170 from The Message)
I regularly present my prayer list to God, and I often find myself giving Him suggestions about how He should fill my needs….or to be truthful, my wants. Selfish, short-sighted, self-centered wants…
While it is certainly true that God is interested in my every need and desire, He sees far beyond my moment, and knows far better than I how to answer and how to fulfill my requests. He has an uncanny way of bringing about what I ask for, but in ways I don’t expect and never see coming.
In this last section of the psalm, I am reminded… He is God. I am not.
“….give me wisdom according to Your Word” (v. 169)
“….deliver me according to Your Word.” (v. 170)
“….You have taught me Your Precepts.” (v. 171)
“….all Your Commandments are righteousness.” (v. 172)
“….I have chosen Your Precepts.” (v. 173)
“….Your Law is my delight.” (v. 174)
“….let Your judgments help me.” (v. 175)
This book we call The Bible is very unique. It is only paper and ink, maybe a leather cover…but the message it communicates is incredible. The more I read and study it, the more I realize how bottomless it’s teaching is. His Word, what He has said….is. Period. The epitome of ‘it is what it is…’. God’s Word IS. It is the source of wisdom, deliverance, right-ness…
And I for one need all that. Desperately.
“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant; for I do not forget Your Commandments.” (v. 176)
How thankful I am that He does come looking for me, calling me back close to Him. If you hear Him, whether it is a shout or a whisper…listen for Him. And go to Him. Run to Him.
He is so good.
I don’t use the word in conversation, don’t hear anyone else use it really. It is one of those Bible words, a word connected to prayer, directed toward God.
As I complete my reflecting on Psalm 119 this morning, I am challenged about my prayer life…. “Let my supplication come before Thee…” (verse 170) “…Give my request your personal attention.” (v. 170 from The Message)
I regularly present my prayer list to God, and I often find myself giving Him suggestions about how He should fill my needs….or to be truthful, my wants. Selfish, short-sighted, self-centered wants…
While it is certainly true that God is interested in my every need and desire, He sees far beyond my moment, and knows far better than I how to answer and how to fulfill my requests. He has an uncanny way of bringing about what I ask for, but in ways I don’t expect and never see coming.
In this last section of the psalm, I am reminded… He is God. I am not.
“….give me wisdom according to Your Word” (v. 169)
“….deliver me according to Your Word.” (v. 170)
“….You have taught me Your Precepts.” (v. 171)
“….all Your Commandments are righteousness.” (v. 172)
“….I have chosen Your Precepts.” (v. 173)
“….Your Law is my delight.” (v. 174)
“….let Your judgments help me.” (v. 175)
This book we call The Bible is very unique. It is only paper and ink, maybe a leather cover…but the message it communicates is incredible. The more I read and study it, the more I realize how bottomless it’s teaching is. His Word, what He has said….is. Period. The epitome of ‘it is what it is…’. God’s Word IS. It is the source of wisdom, deliverance, right-ness…
And I for one need all that. Desperately.
“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant; for I do not forget Your Commandments.” (v. 176)
How thankful I am that He does come looking for me, calling me back close to Him. If you hear Him, whether it is a shout or a whisper…listen for Him. And go to Him. Run to Him.
He is so good.
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