Day two hundred twenty-six
I've been thinking a lot about all the things the Lord asks us to do. There are the basics like say our prayers, read the scriptures, go to Church, love one another, but then there are things that are specific for us. These are the things that go along with the talents and gifts we have been given, or are the experiences necessary for our personal growth and preparation for a task that we are well suited for. I have been pondering this because I am learning to see these unique moments for what they are. I find myself in places at the right time, having the skills and knowledge necessary to fit the circumstances. After the experience, I look back at moments in my life that have prepared me for just this situation, and I can see the Lord's hand in it. I am grateful for a Father that knows me so well and for the closeness that I feel to Him when I have these moments. I am grateful that I can be an instrument in His hands and bring His love to those around me. I hope that I will always be able to be where He needs me to be.
Ruth 2
In this chapter we pick up the story of Ruth in the town of Beth-lehem. She and her mother-in-law, Naomi, have successfully travelled to the town and now are in need of some food. They are poor, so Ruth decides to go to the fields and pick up the grain that the workers leave behind. There are some positive characteristics that are shown by this action:
She is humble (v 2)
How many of us would not go out to a field and pick up the left overs because it was too embarrassing or we thought it beneath us? I can think of many times when I did not want to do something because I was worried about what other people would think. How many times has the Lord put a blessing in front of me and I didn't take it because it seemed beneath me? Probably too many. Ruth reminds me that to show grace during the difficult times I must be humble.
She is hardworking (v 17) Ruth gleaned until the evening and after all the work to pick the grain up, she beat it out! Not only was she willing to work, but she worked hard. She gave her very best to the task.
There is a line in the movie Return to Me about work that I love. The main character looks down at her grandfather working and asks if he would like some help. His reply is perfect, he says, "No, I am blessed with work." I remember the first time I heard that line, I was so impressed with that statement. What a great attitude and insight, to see the blessing in work. I have used that line many times since I first heard it, it always helps me keep things in perspective when I am not so happy with the work that I need to do! Ruth is a great example of being blessed with work.
Boaz
So far I have focused on Ruth, who is poor, but another person is introduced in this chapter that gives us an opportunity to see how the other side should behave. His name is Boaz. He owns the land that Ruth is gleaning from. He is a man who is blessed to have much at that time and his behavior in this chapter is a great example of how a person of means should act in times of need.
He is Hands on
Our introduction to Boaz is with his greeting to his workers in the field. He greets them with, "The Lord be with you" and they answered, "The Lord bless thee." This gracious greeting between Boaz and his servants shows a pleasant man, who is among his people and treating them with respect and kindness.
What difference would it make in your day if everyone you came in contact with, both rich and poor, treated you with respect and kindness? What would it do for others if you always treated them with respect and kindness? When people are pleasant to me it makes my day so much better. I imagine it would be the same for them if I returned the favor. Everyone deserves a little respect and kindness.
Not only does Boaz treat his servants well, he also gives us an example of caring for those that are less fortunate. He tells Ruth that she is to glean in his field only (v 8), he lets her now that she will be safe there (v 9), he lets her know that she is welcome to the water when she needs it, and he even offers her a meal (v 14). He goes out of his way to make sure that she is taken care of by telling the reapers to let more grain fall than usual so she has plenty (v 15-16).
There was a time in our history when people would take care of each other like this. If a traveller came to your door seeking something you would try to accommodate them as best you could. Those times seem to have gone by the wayside. I don't know exactly what caused the demise of such behavior, but my best guess would be fear and abuse. It is difficult to keep giving when you think that someone is taking advantage of you or you fear for your safety. I am guilty of both of these thoughts. I think I need to be more like Boaz, he is hands on, he is involved all the way to the lowest level of command. I like that. Maybe if I was more hands on I would know the people better and then I would have less fear and concern for being taken advantage of. I heard a quote once that I liked:
"The best way to get to know someone is to serve them." ~Unknown
Boaz shows us that this is true.
There are times in our lives when we will find ourselves on either side of these circumstances. Ruth shows us how to be gracious even when we are struggling and Boaz shows us how to give graciously to those in need. Wherever we are in life we have great examples to follow. We need to be humble, hardworking, and hands on!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
For Our Time
Day two hundred twenty-five
I prayed this morning with gratitude for some time off and for the many blessings I receive at work. I am blessed to work with some amazing people who are great examples to me! I also asked that my family would be blessed with some quality time, that we would love each other like crazy, and that we would be blessed with service opportunities!
Ruth 1
Sometimes when I am studying the scriptures it takes a while to get the juices flowing in my brain to find that special something that grabs my attention and says to me "Start here and see where it leads!" I have read the book of Ruth many times before and wanted to see it in a different light this time. As I began reading the first verse, I heard the little voice say, "Start Here!".
The first verse doesn't seem like anything too special, but in my pondering mode I found an interesting message: The story of Ruth is for us today! It has everything to do with us in our time! Here are some of my thoughts:
The first verse starts off talking about the time this story takes place (the time of the judges) and what was going on in the land (famine).
It was the famine part that caught my interest. There was more going on here than just no food! The time of the judges was also a time of moral famine (remember each man did according to what he thought was right, even if it was wrong,Judges 21:25) and a time of spiritual famine (idols were big then, think of the story of Micah in Judges 17-18). Does this sound familiar at all?
The world is in an economic famine of sorts, there is still food famines in the world, we are definitely in a moral famine, and spirituality is pushing to the side for worship of different kinds of idols. This is a story for our time!
The big question is, how did Ruth survive this time with such grace?
If we can figure that out then maybe we can learn from her how to get through OUR time with grace.
Chapter 1
Love and Compassion Verse 9 - Naomi is trying to let her daughter-in- laws go. Ruth shows love and compassion when it says "they lifted up their voice, and wept." It is not always easy to show love and compassion in an emotionally hard world. It was a rough time for Ruth, she had lost her husband, she was about to lose her mother-in-law, and there had to be worries about how she was going to take care of herself. Yet she is not bitter, but filled with love and compassion. What a great example!
Support Team Verse 14 - While the other daughter-in-law leaves Naomi to return home, this verse tells us that Ruth "clave" unto her. The word "clave" means 'to hold fast to'. During this difficult time Ruth knows that she needs 'to hold fast to' those that she loves. They are a support system for each other. They need each other. Their best chance to get through this is to be united, not apart.
Think about the difficult times in your life, who do you lean on to help you get through them? Is it easier to push through it alone or to share the burden together? I personally have found that when my family is in crisis and we all pull together we get through it faster and come out stronger. The times I have tried to deal with something on my own usually are the least successful in terms of results.
Steadfast and Adapting Verses 16-18 - Ruth knows that it is right for her to stay with Naomi and she doesn't give up on that thought. She stands her position and explains her feelings about it until Naomi understands. She is described as "stedfastly minded" in verse 18. This is one of my favorite characteristics of Ruth. She sticks to what she knows is right, even when those she loves don't necessarily understand it. We need more of this in the world!
Note in these verses that Ruth is willing to adapt to make the best of this situation. She is willing to move, to live among a new people, and to learn about their religion. How many of us could use a little adapting in our lives? Often we get stuck in one way of thinking and we can't see that there are other ways to get through the situation. When that happens we miss opportunities to learn and grow. We need to be more open and see things from all angles possible.
Now I am not suggesting that you go and find a new God, I am merely stating that you should be more open to learning about another's beliefs. You would be surprised at what you might learn about the other person, yourself, and even our God! If approached in the right way, your realtionship with others, yourself, and God can be strengthened through honest discussions about your different beliefs.
What great lessons in only one chapter! It was an eye opener to me to see the connection between Ruth's time and our time. It also has given me the opportunity to see the areas in my life that need improvement if I am to survive this time with grace. I am still filled with love and compassion and I have a great support team, but I need to work on the steadfast and adapting part. I'm sure the Lord will give me plenty of opportunities to work on it!
I prayed this morning with gratitude for some time off and for the many blessings I receive at work. I am blessed to work with some amazing people who are great examples to me! I also asked that my family would be blessed with some quality time, that we would love each other like crazy, and that we would be blessed with service opportunities!
Ruth 1
Sometimes when I am studying the scriptures it takes a while to get the juices flowing in my brain to find that special something that grabs my attention and says to me "Start here and see where it leads!" I have read the book of Ruth many times before and wanted to see it in a different light this time. As I began reading the first verse, I heard the little voice say, "Start Here!".
The first verse doesn't seem like anything too special, but in my pondering mode I found an interesting message: The story of Ruth is for us today! It has everything to do with us in our time! Here are some of my thoughts:
The first verse starts off talking about the time this story takes place (the time of the judges) and what was going on in the land (famine).
It was the famine part that caught my interest. There was more going on here than just no food! The time of the judges was also a time of moral famine (remember each man did according to what he thought was right, even if it was wrong,Judges 21:25) and a time of spiritual famine (idols were big then, think of the story of Micah in Judges 17-18). Does this sound familiar at all?
The world is in an economic famine of sorts, there is still food famines in the world, we are definitely in a moral famine, and spirituality is pushing to the side for worship of different kinds of idols. This is a story for our time!
The big question is, how did Ruth survive this time with such grace?
If we can figure that out then maybe we can learn from her how to get through OUR time with grace.
Chapter 1
Love and Compassion Verse 9 - Naomi is trying to let her daughter-in- laws go. Ruth shows love and compassion when it says "they lifted up their voice, and wept." It is not always easy to show love and compassion in an emotionally hard world. It was a rough time for Ruth, she had lost her husband, she was about to lose her mother-in-law, and there had to be worries about how she was going to take care of herself. Yet she is not bitter, but filled with love and compassion. What a great example!
Support Team Verse 14 - While the other daughter-in-law leaves Naomi to return home, this verse tells us that Ruth "clave" unto her. The word "clave" means 'to hold fast to'. During this difficult time Ruth knows that she needs 'to hold fast to' those that she loves. They are a support system for each other. They need each other. Their best chance to get through this is to be united, not apart.
Think about the difficult times in your life, who do you lean on to help you get through them? Is it easier to push through it alone or to share the burden together? I personally have found that when my family is in crisis and we all pull together we get through it faster and come out stronger. The times I have tried to deal with something on my own usually are the least successful in terms of results.
Steadfast and Adapting Verses 16-18 - Ruth knows that it is right for her to stay with Naomi and she doesn't give up on that thought. She stands her position and explains her feelings about it until Naomi understands. She is described as "stedfastly minded" in verse 18. This is one of my favorite characteristics of Ruth. She sticks to what she knows is right, even when those she loves don't necessarily understand it. We need more of this in the world!
Note in these verses that Ruth is willing to adapt to make the best of this situation. She is willing to move, to live among a new people, and to learn about their religion. How many of us could use a little adapting in our lives? Often we get stuck in one way of thinking and we can't see that there are other ways to get through the situation. When that happens we miss opportunities to learn and grow. We need to be more open and see things from all angles possible.
Now I am not suggesting that you go and find a new God, I am merely stating that you should be more open to learning about another's beliefs. You would be surprised at what you might learn about the other person, yourself, and even our God! If approached in the right way, your realtionship with others, yourself, and God can be strengthened through honest discussions about your different beliefs.
What great lessons in only one chapter! It was an eye opener to me to see the connection between Ruth's time and our time. It also has given me the opportunity to see the areas in my life that need improvement if I am to survive this time with grace. I am still filled with love and compassion and I have a great support team, but I need to work on the steadfast and adapting part. I'm sure the Lord will give me plenty of opportunities to work on it!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Ripple Effect
Day two hundred twenty-four
I have been listening to a CD of a talk given by Gerald Lund on personal revelation. The talk was directed towards single adults, but I am finding it very interesting and informative for myself too. He addresses questions like: What is Personal Revelation? How do you know it is Personal Revelation? How do I increase Personal Revelation in my life? It has got me thinking about my own journey in seeking understanding and receiving personal revelation. I am so grateful for this gift we have been given. Knowing that the Lord blesses us with the ability to know truths and to seek direction from Him is amazing. My prayer this morning was an acknowledgement to the Lord that I am grateful for all the times that He has blessed me with personal revelation in my life. It also included a request for some direction in my current situation. The great thing is, I know He will answer!
Judges 19-21
We have come to the end of the Book of Judges and what is probably one of the most horrific stories in the Old Testament. The story starts out with a Levite and his concubine. Verse 2 tells us that the concubine went whoring and then went to her father's house for 4 months. It is interesting to note that the phrase "played the whore" has also been translated as "she became angry" with her husband. What a difference this would make to her character!
After four months the Levite decides to go and get his wife. He stays with his father-in-law for a few days then travels on to Gibeah. This is where the story gets ugly. In Gibeah wicked men surround the man's house the Levite is staying with and demand that the Levite be given to them so that they can have sexual relations with him. (Sounds like Lot and the Angelic messengers story). Instead of giving the Levite to the mob, the man of the house offers the crowd his virgin daughter and the concubine of his guest. The mob take the concubine and abuse her all night. Upon her release she returns and makes it to the door of the house and dies. In the morning her husband find her, takes her home, cuts her up into 12 pieces and ships these pieces to the 12 tribes of Israel requesting that something be done about this.
What lessons are taught in this story so far? How does it apply to me personally? At first, the story seems to be a commentary on the wickedness of the people of that time. But as I studied I was led to some other thoughts:
Be careful how you judge the character of someone based on the words of another. Being angry is definitely different than being a whore.
The Levite had the advice of his father-in-law to stay longer and his servant tried to lead him away form Gibeah, but he wouldn't listen. Listen to what others have to say, you never know if the Lord is guiding you through another!
The hardest point for me to reflect upon was, have I ever sacrificed another to protect myself? I can remember as a child pointing the blame on another to protect myself. It did not lead to the person's death, but I know that it created trust issues between us, and who knows what other effects it had on them.
This brought to mind the ripple effect. The ripple effect is a term used to describe a situation where, like the ever expanding ripples across water when an object is dropped into it, an effect from our actions can be followed outwards incrementally. In other words, our actions can have far-reaching effects on the world around us.
We pick up the story in chapter 20 with the tribes gathering to go against the tribe of Benjamin because they will not turn over the men that committed the crime. Why would they protect these guys? Why do WE lie for others? Why do WE not turn our friends in when they do something wrong? Why do WE cover for others when we know it's wrong? There are lots of why's in this story!
The story goes on to tell us that by the end of the fighting the tribe of Benjamin had lost 25,100 men and was left with only 600 men alive. Talk about a ripple effect! The actions of the mob of men who could not control their sexual urges almost led to the complete destruction of a whole tribe!
Then in chapter 21 we learn that some more shady business goes on to try to get wives for the Benjamites that are left. Men killed, women kidnapped, is it okay to right a wrong with another wrong? When does it ever stop once you start down that path?
The last verse of chapter 21 sums it all up: "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."
"That which is right in his own eyes" That says a lot about how important it is that we have the Lord in our lives. Our actions need to be right in His eyes, not just ours. The interesting thing about the ripple effect is that it works in a positive way too. Our positive actions can create the opportunity to effect many for good and even encourage others to do good. When our actions are right in the eyes of the Lord then our ripples are positive.
My goal today is to leave positive ripples wherever I go. Through my actions I want to leave others feeling good and give them the desire to continue the ripple effect in a positive way. This will take effort and restraint on my part, but after studying the devastation that negative ripples can bring, I think it is worth it!
I have been listening to a CD of a talk given by Gerald Lund on personal revelation. The talk was directed towards single adults, but I am finding it very interesting and informative for myself too. He addresses questions like: What is Personal Revelation? How do you know it is Personal Revelation? How do I increase Personal Revelation in my life? It has got me thinking about my own journey in seeking understanding and receiving personal revelation. I am so grateful for this gift we have been given. Knowing that the Lord blesses us with the ability to know truths and to seek direction from Him is amazing. My prayer this morning was an acknowledgement to the Lord that I am grateful for all the times that He has blessed me with personal revelation in my life. It also included a request for some direction in my current situation. The great thing is, I know He will answer!
Judges 19-21
We have come to the end of the Book of Judges and what is probably one of the most horrific stories in the Old Testament. The story starts out with a Levite and his concubine. Verse 2 tells us that the concubine went whoring and then went to her father's house for 4 months. It is interesting to note that the phrase "played the whore" has also been translated as "she became angry" with her husband. What a difference this would make to her character!
After four months the Levite decides to go and get his wife. He stays with his father-in-law for a few days then travels on to Gibeah. This is where the story gets ugly. In Gibeah wicked men surround the man's house the Levite is staying with and demand that the Levite be given to them so that they can have sexual relations with him. (Sounds like Lot and the Angelic messengers story). Instead of giving the Levite to the mob, the man of the house offers the crowd his virgin daughter and the concubine of his guest. The mob take the concubine and abuse her all night. Upon her release she returns and makes it to the door of the house and dies. In the morning her husband find her, takes her home, cuts her up into 12 pieces and ships these pieces to the 12 tribes of Israel requesting that something be done about this.
What lessons are taught in this story so far? How does it apply to me personally? At first, the story seems to be a commentary on the wickedness of the people of that time. But as I studied I was led to some other thoughts:
Be careful how you judge the character of someone based on the words of another. Being angry is definitely different than being a whore.
The Levite had the advice of his father-in-law to stay longer and his servant tried to lead him away form Gibeah, but he wouldn't listen. Listen to what others have to say, you never know if the Lord is guiding you through another!
The hardest point for me to reflect upon was, have I ever sacrificed another to protect myself? I can remember as a child pointing the blame on another to protect myself. It did not lead to the person's death, but I know that it created trust issues between us, and who knows what other effects it had on them.
This brought to mind the ripple effect. The ripple effect is a term used to describe a situation where, like the ever expanding ripples across water when an object is dropped into it, an effect from our actions can be followed outwards incrementally. In other words, our actions can have far-reaching effects on the world around us.
We pick up the story in chapter 20 with the tribes gathering to go against the tribe of Benjamin because they will not turn over the men that committed the crime. Why would they protect these guys? Why do WE lie for others? Why do WE not turn our friends in when they do something wrong? Why do WE cover for others when we know it's wrong? There are lots of why's in this story!
The story goes on to tell us that by the end of the fighting the tribe of Benjamin had lost 25,100 men and was left with only 600 men alive. Talk about a ripple effect! The actions of the mob of men who could not control their sexual urges almost led to the complete destruction of a whole tribe!
Then in chapter 21 we learn that some more shady business goes on to try to get wives for the Benjamites that are left. Men killed, women kidnapped, is it okay to right a wrong with another wrong? When does it ever stop once you start down that path?
The last verse of chapter 21 sums it all up: "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."
"That which is right in his own eyes" That says a lot about how important it is that we have the Lord in our lives. Our actions need to be right in His eyes, not just ours. The interesting thing about the ripple effect is that it works in a positive way too. Our positive actions can create the opportunity to effect many for good and even encourage others to do good. When our actions are right in the eyes of the Lord then our ripples are positive.
My goal today is to leave positive ripples wherever I go. Through my actions I want to leave others feeling good and give them the desire to continue the ripple effect in a positive way. This will take effort and restraint on my part, but after studying the devastation that negative ripples can bring, I think it is worth it!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Hypocrites and Users or Not?
Day two hundred twenty-three
Things have leveled out a bit so I thought that I would try to get a post in. I don't know if I will be able to post everyday, but I figured something is better than nothing. My prayer is focused on my family and their needs today. I've been praying for comfort, understanding, wisdom, patience, courage, and love lately. There is a genetic disposition to depression in my family and when it manifests itself it can be a difficult trial to endure, for all parties involved. I have learned to turn to the Lord in prayer and to search the scriptures for help. It is amazing what you can find in the scriptures when you are looking through humble eyes! Today's uplifting scripture I found in 2 Timothy 4:17: "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me..."
Judges 17-18
Last I wrote about my scripture study I think it was at the end of Samson's life. Well today we are introduced to some interesting people that made me stop and think about how I look at others.
At the beginning of this story Micah has stolen 1,100 pieces of silver from his mother. When she finds out that it was stolen she pronounces a curse on the person who stole it. Micah gets scared because of the curse and returns the money to her. She pronounces a blessing on him instead of the curse and then decides to commit idolatry in his name. She has an idol made for Micah to keep in his home. Micah then has a shrine in his house and consecrates one of his sons to be a priest. Then worship is to go on in his shrine with the idol, the ephod, the household gods, and the priest. (Judges 17:1-5)
As I read to this point I was flabergasted at the character of these two people. A mother who uses the Lord's name to curse and bless her son for stealing money, but turns around and after stating that she had dedicated the money to the Lord, takes some of it and has an idol built for her son. And a son that would steal from his mother, then create his own little church at his house!
The story gets worse! A Levite priest who is looking for a place to live comes to Micah's house and is invited by Micah to stay with him and be his priest. Not a priest to the city, but of Micah's homemade church. This same priest in chapter 18 will leave Micah's house for a more prestigious position, religious leader for a whole people, and will take all of Micah's religious artifacts with him! What is going on here?
Mother, Son, Priest, these are relationships in which you expect trust, not hypocrisy. They all seem to be people of God, but their actions are totally opposite of what they should be and depict them as users. It made me think of Luke 6:46 when Jesus asked "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" How did this happen to the people?
Verse 6 in chapter 17 gives us a clue, "In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Every person consulted only his own heart, only his interests, in determining what was right. This is the tragedy in this story, that these people think that they are doing what is right, even when it really was unrighteous. Is that hypocrisy?
How many times in your life have you done something because you thought it was right, based on what you knew, and it turned out to be wrong? I think that is a universal situation, everyone experiences it at least once. I experienced it while reading these chapters! I was so quick to judge these people and label them hypocrites and users because of their actions. I never stopped to look at them from their point of view. How many times have I done this in the world? I don't know, too many I am sure.
There are questions raised that I hadn't thought of before. Were their actions motivated by their circumstances? Did their lack of leadership and guidance affect their choices? Stealing and idol worship are never right, but do I have a right to condemn them for their actions? How would I behave if left to my own devices?
I got more than I bargained for in this study session, it was a humbling experience. My eyes are a little more open about judging people. I need to be more careful about how I perceive others. My job isn't to judge them, but to love them. I have something to work on today!
Things have leveled out a bit so I thought that I would try to get a post in. I don't know if I will be able to post everyday, but I figured something is better than nothing. My prayer is focused on my family and their needs today. I've been praying for comfort, understanding, wisdom, patience, courage, and love lately. There is a genetic disposition to depression in my family and when it manifests itself it can be a difficult trial to endure, for all parties involved. I have learned to turn to the Lord in prayer and to search the scriptures for help. It is amazing what you can find in the scriptures when you are looking through humble eyes! Today's uplifting scripture I found in 2 Timothy 4:17: "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me..."
Judges 17-18
Last I wrote about my scripture study I think it was at the end of Samson's life. Well today we are introduced to some interesting people that made me stop and think about how I look at others.
At the beginning of this story Micah has stolen 1,100 pieces of silver from his mother. When she finds out that it was stolen she pronounces a curse on the person who stole it. Micah gets scared because of the curse and returns the money to her. She pronounces a blessing on him instead of the curse and then decides to commit idolatry in his name. She has an idol made for Micah to keep in his home. Micah then has a shrine in his house and consecrates one of his sons to be a priest. Then worship is to go on in his shrine with the idol, the ephod, the household gods, and the priest. (Judges 17:1-5)
As I read to this point I was flabergasted at the character of these two people. A mother who uses the Lord's name to curse and bless her son for stealing money, but turns around and after stating that she had dedicated the money to the Lord, takes some of it and has an idol built for her son. And a son that would steal from his mother, then create his own little church at his house!
The story gets worse! A Levite priest who is looking for a place to live comes to Micah's house and is invited by Micah to stay with him and be his priest. Not a priest to the city, but of Micah's homemade church. This same priest in chapter 18 will leave Micah's house for a more prestigious position, religious leader for a whole people, and will take all of Micah's religious artifacts with him! What is going on here?
Mother, Son, Priest, these are relationships in which you expect trust, not hypocrisy. They all seem to be people of God, but their actions are totally opposite of what they should be and depict them as users. It made me think of Luke 6:46 when Jesus asked "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" How did this happen to the people?
Verse 6 in chapter 17 gives us a clue, "In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Every person consulted only his own heart, only his interests, in determining what was right. This is the tragedy in this story, that these people think that they are doing what is right, even when it really was unrighteous. Is that hypocrisy?
How many times in your life have you done something because you thought it was right, based on what you knew, and it turned out to be wrong? I think that is a universal situation, everyone experiences it at least once. I experienced it while reading these chapters! I was so quick to judge these people and label them hypocrites and users because of their actions. I never stopped to look at them from their point of view. How many times have I done this in the world? I don't know, too many I am sure.
There are questions raised that I hadn't thought of before. Were their actions motivated by their circumstances? Did their lack of leadership and guidance affect their choices? Stealing and idol worship are never right, but do I have a right to condemn them for their actions? How would I behave if left to my own devices?
I got more than I bargained for in this study session, it was a humbling experience. My eyes are a little more open about judging people. I need to be more careful about how I perceive others. My job isn't to judge them, but to love them. I have something to work on today!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Another Bump In The Road
Day one hundred twenty two
Life has provided me with one more bump in the road. This time I have to put all that I have learned from studying the scriptures to the test! I am going to have to trust the Lord on this one and ride it out. However, this bump will require my time and efforts to be more focused, so I have decided to take a break from writing my blog so that I can put my efforts into taking this bump gracefully instead of making it a kidney buster.
Hope to be back writing soon!
Life has provided me with one more bump in the road. This time I have to put all that I have learned from studying the scriptures to the test! I am going to have to trust the Lord on this one and ride it out. However, this bump will require my time and efforts to be more focused, so I have decided to take a break from writing my blog so that I can put my efforts into taking this bump gracefully instead of making it a kidney buster.
Hope to be back writing soon!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Tactics
Day two hundred twenty-one
I finally got over myself and turned my attitude around yesterday. This morning I thought it appropriate to thank the Lord for hanging in there with me. I am so grateful for His hand in my life and His ability to put the things and people in my day that I need to keep my attitude in check. His relationship with me provides me with the prefect example of perseverance and endurance, He never gives up on me! Thanks for always being there!
Judges 16
The last glimpse we had of Samson was of a man who seemed to have gotten his act together. We saw Samson calling on the Lord in humility. He prayed to the Lord and God delivered him from death through a great miracle. That story ends with Samson judging Israel for 20 years.
I finally got over myself and turned my attitude around yesterday. This morning I thought it appropriate to thank the Lord for hanging in there with me. I am so grateful for His hand in my life and His ability to put the things and people in my day that I need to keep my attitude in check. His relationship with me provides me with the prefect example of perseverance and endurance, He never gives up on me! Thanks for always being there!
Judges 16
The last glimpse we had of Samson was of a man who seemed to have gotten his act together. We saw Samson calling on the Lord in humility. He prayed to the Lord and God delivered him from death through a great miracle. That story ends with Samson judging Israel for 20 years.
After a period of peace and service to Israel, Samson falls once again into his old ways. His old passions rise to the surface and Samson once again finds himself entangled in a web of sin. Samson may have been a powerful man physically, but he was a moral weakling. He may have demonstrated his power time and again over the enemies of the Lord, but he was helpless against the power of his flesh.
As I read chapter sixteen I was looking for what would lead Samson into the world of sin again. Those that are familiar with the story know that it is his lust for women that leads to his demise, but how did it happen? I reread the chapter underlining any words or phrases that I felt had to do with sin. Here are some examples:
verse 2 - "come hither", "compassed him in", "laid in wait', "were quiet"
verse 5 - "entice" "prevail", "bind"
verse 9 - "laying in wait"
verse 16 - "pressed him daily", "urged him", "soul was vexed"
verse 19 - "afflict"
verse 20 - "the Lord was departed from him"
Can you see the association of these words with sin? Satan's tactics are clearly portrayed in Samson's story. The Gazites reaction to Samson is a perfect outline of these tactics:
First there was the opportunity for sin "Samson is come hither"
Second, the phrase "compassed him in”. That means that his enemies surrounded him. They laid a trap for his capture. That is the way sin works as well.
Third, the Gazites also “laid wait for him all night”. They were patient as they waited for him to leave the harlot’s house. They were in no hurry because time was on their side.
Sin is also patient in the way it works. It will play its cards close to the vest until the sinner is hopelessly entangled in its web. The sinner doesn’t always feel the trap closing around them when they are living out their life of pleasure, but sin is patient, and when the time is right, it will spring the trap and destroy the life of its victim.
Fourth, the Gazites “were quiet all the night”. They did not let Samson know they were there and lying in wait to capture him.
Such is the subtle nature of sin. It does not tell the truth. It leads the sinner to believe that there can be pleasure with no consequences. Sin never tells the truth.
If Samson teaches us anything, he teaches us the truth that we must guard our hearts. We must shield our lives from all the evil influences that would lead us away from God. We need to watch the places we go. We need to be aware of the things we give our attention to. We need to be careful about the people we associate with. If we allow sin into our lives, it will wrap itself around us until it has choked the life right out of us. It will not stop until it has destroyed us and everything we love. There are always consequences attached sin, and God will allow those consequences to be brought to pass in our lives because He loves us! (Heb. 12:6-11; Rev. 3:19.)
Benjamin Franklin got it right when he said, "Sin is not hurtful because it is forbidden; but it is forbidden because it is hurtful."
This is a good opportunity to examine the things in our own lives that may be leading us into a life of sin. Where do we spend our time? Are there things we watch or listen to that could be hurting us spiritually? Who are we spending our time with? Do our friends build us up or are they bringing us down? Remember Satan's tactics and take an honest look into your life and decide what should stay and what should go, then do it! We have a powerful tactic of our own: If shedding our lives of those questionable things seems bigger than you, ask for help through prayer. There is no one bigger than God and because He loves you He will help!
Monday, August 8, 2011
In a Mood
Day two hundred twenty
I am in a mood today. I have a lot on my mind. The day did not start out the way I had hoped and it wasn't getting any better. I was hopeful that my scripture study would lighten my mood, but I don't have the proper attitude for the Spirit to really lead me, so that wasn't such a success. As I was researching though I came across a poem that helped me see the direction I need to go today. The poem is titled, Life's Lessons
Life's Lessons
After a while you learn the difference,
between holding a hand and chaining a soul.
You learn that love isn't leaning,
but lending support.
You begin to accept your defeats with the grace of an adult,
not the grief of a child.
You decide to build your roads today,
for tomorrow's ground is too uncertain.
You help someone plant a garden,
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
You learn that God has given you the strength to endure,
and that you really do have worth.
~Anonymous
I love the power of words to soften our hearts and help us put things in perspective. The Lord knows me so well and knows just what I need to get back on track. Thank you!!
I am in a mood today. I have a lot on my mind. The day did not start out the way I had hoped and it wasn't getting any better. I was hopeful that my scripture study would lighten my mood, but I don't have the proper attitude for the Spirit to really lead me, so that wasn't such a success. As I was researching though I came across a poem that helped me see the direction I need to go today. The poem is titled, Life's Lessons
Life's Lessons
After a while you learn the difference,
between holding a hand and chaining a soul.
You learn that love isn't leaning,
but lending support.
You begin to accept your defeats with the grace of an adult,
not the grief of a child.
You decide to build your roads today,
for tomorrow's ground is too uncertain.
You help someone plant a garden,
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
You learn that God has given you the strength to endure,
and that you really do have worth.
~Anonymous
I love the power of words to soften our hearts and help us put things in perspective. The Lord knows me so well and knows just what I need to get back on track. Thank you!!
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