Micah 4-5, Acts 21:18-40

And it will come about in the last days

That the mountain of the house of the Lord
Will be established….

That He may teach us about His ways
And that we may walk in His paths.”

Though all the peoples walk
Each in the name of his god,
As for us, we will walk
In the name of the Lord our God forever and ever. 

“But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord,
And they do not understand His purpose;
Micah 4:1-2, 5, 12 

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.” Micah 5:2 

After saluting them, Paul gave a detailed account of the things God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.  And upon hearing it, they adored and exalted and praised and thanked God. Acts 21:19-20

Though Paul won many for Christ, the Jews disagreed so vehemently with his teaching that they threatened his life. Paul knew that he had to stand up for His Lord, regardless of what others did or who they chose to follow.

Very recently, I felt angry toward a politician over legislation I disagreed with. After listening to him speak, my anger subsided, though the difference in opinion remains. We each continue to go our own way.

I wonder about our walks. Are we learning from God’s teachings? Or do we fail to understand God’s purposes and just delude ourselves about our choices?

Jesus came forth from Bethlehem to set us free from the law. I still struggle. My heart and my head oppose one another all the time. I don’t want to act like a Pharisee, but I don’t want to behave like a pagan either.

Does anyone ever really understand God’s plans and purposes?

Many of the issues we have to vote on in November directly relate to Gods word. Whose path are we going to take?

yicareggie

 

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Isaiah 43-44, Romans 8:1-21

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.  I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior.  I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God. Isaiah 43:10-12 

“This is what the Lord says—   Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last;   apart from me there is no God. Do not tremble, do not be afraid.   Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?  No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” Isaiah 44:6,8 

“Remember these things, Jacob,  for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant;   Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,   your sins like the morning mist. Return to me,   for I have redeemed you.”

Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this;   shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains,  you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob,  he displays his glory in Israel. Isaiah 44:21-22 

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,  because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh,  in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4

 Whatever happened to reading and reflection?

People want their information digested and regurgitated back to them in quick digestible bits as if they were baby birds. There is too much information to go through and evaluate properly. Consequently, the evaluation of information is left to cogs turning behind faceless media acronyms. I know little about their perspective or agenda. That’s what scares me.

But we have a Savior God, who wants to redeem us.    His word is trustworthy. The things he has foretold have come true. He does not lie. His agenda is not to sell us any product. He wants us to be free from condemnation, so that we can come to Him without fear or guilt. He shares his Holy Spirit with us to show us how to live an abundant life.

The Bible is the standard by which other sources should be evaluated. Millennia have not dulled its principals. With my last breath, I will continue to quote its wisdom and set it as a guide for my life. I no longer have time to waste reading or listening to prefabricated junk.

I need time to think. Give me my Bible.

yicareggie

 

Isaiah 9-10, Ephesians 1

“The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.” Isaiah 9:10

This Scripture from Isaiah has received a lot of attention lately due to its appearance in the book “The Harbinger”. Beautiful Messianic prophecies that precede it in the same chapter are not even mentioned. The persons who quoted this Scripture in reference to the tragedy of 9/11 merely used it as a rallying cry in the face of adversity. They were likely more interested in boosting the morale of a mourning nation than pointing to Jesus Christ the Messiah.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7  

When Scripture is randomly pulled out of context, I wonder if anyone even understands its meaning. Of course, matters of fealty to our Creator God can not be legislated, but then one wonders why public officials drag out words from the Holy Bible to address the country, in the name of man and not in the name of Jesus.

Jesus achieved sovereignty over my heart when I embraced his death and resurrection as payment for my sins.  I know that I can’t rebuild or replant anything without his blessing.

I live in the woods. About 75% of the trees, shrubs and flowers I have planted in the last twenty five years have died, but the trees that sprung from wind blown seeds eighty years ago are still standing. That which God sows endures. That which man sows fades away.

Sometimes I think about who lived here before me. Where they are now? There is no sign of them, except for a crumbled stone foundation sleeping under moss and weeds at the edge of my property. All our rebuilding will come to this same end. In spite of all our grand proclamations, only God and his mercy endures forever.

yicareggie

 

 

 

2 Chronicles 15-16, 2 Corinthians 5

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 

Because you relied on _________ and not on the Lord your God, _______ has escaped your hand. 2 Chronicles 16:7 

Because King Asa relied on the King of Aram instead of God, the army of Aram escaped.   I don’t know why this phrase led me to fill in the blanks with my own self reliance, but it was rather enlightening.

Because I relied on my Writer’s Group and not on the Lord my God,

the ability to write anything inspired over the last year has escaped from my hand.

Because I relied on my husband’s strength and abilities and on not on the Lord my God, the confidence to achieve things on my own has escaped from my hand.

Because I relied on my youth and not on the Lord my God, much health and vigor has escaped from my hand.

I don’t really look back with regret, but the passage of time has shown me that choices I made without including God have resulted in less than ideal circumstances.

However, I feel very blessed. In spite of my less than stellar choices, God does not count my sins against me. I am a new creation in Christ. The old days are gone. I seek his face more and more. I am more eager to please him. I have become Christ’s ambassador, bringing encouragement to others just as the prophet Azariah did for Asa.

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. 2 Chronicles 15:7

            Large numbers of Israelites returned to Asa when they saw God was with him. The entire world comes back to God through the blood of Christ. This is not just good news. This is GREAT NEWS.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Asa didn’t listen to the seer or seek the Lord God in his final years. This serves as a warning to me. It is not how I began my life journey, but how I finish, that is most important. Hopefully, learning from my godless past, will ensure that I lean on God for my future.

Thank you, God that I don’t have to produce my own righteousness, which would be like filthy rags anyway. Thank you that I am made righteous by the spotless blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. May we be nose to nose always. In Jesus precious Name, I pray.

yicareggie

Psalms 45-47, 1 Corinthians 10:19-33

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Even as I to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:31, 33 

They are led in joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king. Psalm 45:15

A heart stirred by the nobility of Christ should beat in godly rhythm, not to its own drummer. Blessed by God forever, I should triumph in righteousness, humility and truth. I should be fighting for justice in His holy name. Praise music should bring me to tears of joy, because the King of Kings is enthralled by the beauty of my soul.

I recently attended a leadership summit. I never really thought of myself as a leader, but then I started to notice that people were following me. People in my writers group. People on Pinterest. People on Facebook. People reading my blogs. People in my family. People in the jail.

That started to make me nervous. My example has not always been the best. I am given to a bit of coarse joking from time to time. Wordsmiths love to play with double entendres and the like, but this is not appropriate behavior for a princess.

My companions follow me, but where am I leading them? I must consider them above my concerns. If I am the lovely bride of Christ, I need to lead them into His presence, not into temptation. I should act honorably and honor Him as my Lord. Jesus Christ is God and he will be exalted in all the earth.

Oh Lord, May I perpetuate your memory forever, so the nations will praise You. God my Father and my Lord Jesus Christ, may You be highly exalted in my life and in the world.

yicareggie