Thank you!

Thank you for journeying through the Bible with us in 2019.

We’ll be back here tomorrow, ready to start again.

Will you join us?

Deuteronomy 27-28:19; Psalm 119:1-24; Isaiah 54; Matthew 2

I read about his promises, his provision, his protection.

² When you cross the Jordan River and enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster. ³ Write this whole body of instruction on them when you cross the river to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you—a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. (Deuteronomy 27:2-3, NLT)

He shows the way. It is a path made by love, loving guidance and instruction.

¹ Joyful are people of integrity,
    who follow the instructions of the Lord.
² Joyful are those who obey his laws
    and search for him with all their hearts.
³ They do not compromise with evil,
    and they walk only in his paths.
⁴ You have charged us
    to keep your commandments carefully.
⁵ Oh, that my actions would consistently
    reflect your decrees!
⁶ Then I will not be ashamed
    when I compare my life with your commands.
⁷ As I learn your righteous regulations,
    I will thank you by living as I should!
⁸ I will obey your decrees.
    Please don’t give up on me! (Psalm 119:1-8, NLT)

 

His word is truth.

¹⁴ That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, ¹⁵ and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”

¹⁷ Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

¹⁸ “A cry was heard in Ramah—
    weeping and great mourning.
Rachel weeps for her children,
    refusing to be comforted,
    for they are dead.”

²³ So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.” (Matthew 2:14-15, 17-18, 23, NLT)

Lord, you are the Father who delights in me. You comfort me in my distress. You strengthen me in my weakness. You make a path straight for me, so I can walk in joy. You protect me. You provide for me. Your promises are trustworthy. You are trustworthy. Your love never fails. By your love, you show me how to love. By your love, you show me how to live. Thank you.

Courtney (66books365)

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2 Chronicles8, 3 John 1, Habakkuk 3, Luke 22

My wife must not live in the palace of David king of Israel, because the places the ark of the LORD has entered are holy.” 2 Chronicles 8:11

My recipes always fail if they are going to be seen or judged. I could move to a house with a fancier kitchen where my failures would be less noticeable . Or I could just start over. Only the best ingredients and faithful obedience to the recipe ensures success.

A Recipe for Salvation

• A cup of God’s righteousness

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

• Jesus’ blood.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but your be done.” Luke 22:20, 42

• Faithful obedience.

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:11

• Sin. Cover with Christ.

The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19

• Allow time to rise.

God dwelled in a temple Solomon built. Solomon hid his foreign wives in a palace away from the ark of the covenant. Jesus’ sacrifice makes us his temple. Only his blood can cover our sin.

Being in God’s will gives us the power to take the higher ground when those around us are succumbing to all the pitfalls.

With God all things are possible.

yicareggie

from the archives, originally published December 8, 2010.

1Chronicles 16; James 3; Obadiah 1; Luke 5

Luke 5, New Living Translation:

• ¹¹ And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
• ¹⁵ But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases.
• ²⁶ Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”
• ²⁸ So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.

Jesus is doing all kinds of miracles in Luke 5. He takes what is routine and turns it upside down: Simon out fishing with disappointing results. Jesus tells him, go deep, and abundance flows. A leper, ashamed–an outcast–healed and made new with something to offer and praise on his lips, a story to tell. A paralyzed man, double blessed: forgiven, and to top it off, he jumps up and goes home.

I’ve been there, spiritually. Disappointed and empty handed for my efforts. A modern-day leper and outcast in a community. A life-season paralyzed by insecurity.

I’m thankful.

Thankful to see abundance in taking a chance on Jesus when he told us to go out deeper. Thankful that he made me new, for praise and thanksgiving that fall naturally out of my mouth–and a removal of shame that I can share my story. For friends who carried me to the Lord, always pointing to him–oh, I remember the day when the weight was lifted, and I could stand.

He does miracles still … today.

My Lord, my God. You are amazing.

Courtney (66books365)

2 Kings 5; 1 Timothy 2; Daniel 9; Psalms 117, 118

It was an exercise in forgiveness. I stood in a room with others, a list in hand of offenses and offenders, only mine was marked by ink of imagination. When they tore their papers, I tucked mine away. I wanted to forgive, but I also wasn’t finished being angry. I wanted to send my list by mail to the offenders, or tuck it under their windshields as a notice of violation. Even if it was just a blank piece of paper imprinted with the words I was offended … but that would seem nutty. So instead, I went home.

My six year old overheard me singing a line to song about forgiveness. Her response was light and childlike, “Of course, Mommy. Why wouldn’t anyone do that?”

 

¹³ But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” 2 Kings 5:13 NLT.

If she and her sister are wrapped in dispute, I get between them and have the offender speak the offense and apologize. The other one follows up with forgiveness. They go on about their day like nothing happened. It’s a pretty easy formula when you’re in elementary school. When does that change? Is it when no one owns up to fault? Or when the offense is repeated over and over … on purpose?

In his book, The Anger Solution, John Lee proposes writing down the offense, what you wish you had said and what you wish you had heard in response.

Those initial wounds still hurt when someone else bumps up against them–and maybe there is sense in going back to heal what’s underneath instead of covering it up with thoughts like I’m fine … It doesn’t matter … It’s no big deal. Maybe it’s time to sit with the Lord and tell him: Lord, when they did that, it hurt.

⁵ In my distress I prayed to the Lord,
    and the Lord answered me and set me free.
⁶ The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?
⁷ Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me.
    I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in people. Psalm 118:5-8 NLT

Naaman is washed clean of his disease by obedience and faith. Daniel prays a lengthy confession for mercy. Paul urges prayer.

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. ² Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. ⁵ For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. ⁶ He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 1 Timothy 2:1-6 NLT.

And the Psalms testify:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
    His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 118:1 NLT

Courtney (66books365)