2Kings 6; 1Timothy 3; Daniel 10; Psalm 119:1-24

Our small group is studying on how we can take God at His Word. Amazing as we share our stories from the view of Believing, Feeling and Doing.  I have to admit, cannot believe that Job lived his life and did not blame God like this quote from one of Israel’s earlier kings.

 While he was still speaking with them, the king^[d] came down to him and said, “This trouble is from the Lord! Why should I hope in the Lord any longer?”               – 2 Kings 6:33 NRSV

I love my small group as they are a living testimony to me of how I should live out my walk with God – they make the Word of God come alive to me because they have lived it.

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that,  if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth.                 – 1 Timothy 3: 14-15  NRSV

God is doing something in my life.  He is calling me to have a stronger trust relationship with my wife, He has called me to repent as to the intensity of my love for Him – love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and He has asked me to allow Him to be part of my work.  He wants to give me discernment and words of wisdom and understanding as I interact with broken people.

In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. The word was true, and it concerned a great conflict. He understood the word, having received understanding in the vision. – Daniel 10:1  NRSV

The basis of our scripture in my small group study is Psalm 119.  There are 51 descriptive words used by David to describe his feelings for God. This verse below fascinated me above the others – praising God when I learn how He wants me to live.  Summarizes the verses I mentioned today.

I will praise you with an upright heart,
    when I learn your righteous ordinances. – Psalm 119:7   NRSV

Lord, there is nothing that makes me feel more alive than having You involved in my life and calling me deeper and deeper into a relationship with You.  You are amazing – when I think I have my life all together You gentle show me how I am leading as opposed to being led.  You are so gracious and kind as You lovingly show me the errors of my way.  I love You so much – thank You!

evanlaar

 

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Psalms 119:89-176; 2 Thessalonians 1

The things that stand out to me about Psalm 119: delighting in God’s laws, persecution, justice.

The things that stand out to me about 2 Thessalonians 1: persecution, justice, honoring God.

I’ve felt guilty for ever feeling persecuted … seemed my trials in comparison to those who suffered for Christ were light. But having Old Testament and New Testament side by side, the psalmist suffers alongside Christ-followers suffering. Both of them are fixed on God, regardless of the cause of being hated. Isn’t that what persecution is? A quick check on meaning mentions harassment, annoyance–but to me, the root bears resemblance to hatred toward those (especially) who differ in origin, religion, or social outlook.

Hatred towards those who differ.

I remember a situation where I felt persecuted. But because I was operating on hunch rather than fact, I tried over and over to believe the best regarding those involved. It was hard. Months later, I discovered the truth of it all–the details more wounding than I ever imagined. I cried out to God, “Why did you have me believe the best about it!? It wasn’t the truth. I never would have (blessed them) if I had known!”

His answer, still, quiet, “I know.”

¹¹ So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. ¹² Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NLT.

In the end, I am responsible for how I act regardless of how others behave. This dialogue with God revealed to me many things about myself, about pain, about hatred. I’m thankful he spared me the details early, so I could claim kindness in his strength, rather than spite in my own.

This is love, this is hate … we’ve got a choice to make.

Father, your love amazes me. Please enable me, daily, to live a life worthy of your call.

Courtney (66books365)

2 Kings 7, 1 Timothy 4, Daniel 11, Psalm 119:25-48

After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own country but will stumble and fall, to be seen no more. Daniel 11:19 

Elisha replied, “Listen to this message from the LORD! This is what the LORD says: By this time tomorrow…”

For the Lord has caused…

So it was true… just as the LORD had promised.

So everything happened exactly as the man of God had predicted…

And so it was…2 Kings 7:1, 6,16,17,20 

Rulers rise and fall.  The Aramean army, Fidel Castro, Saddam Hussein, Moammar Gadhafi.  Whether to coupe or the ravages of time, God ultimately controls all outcomes. We ordinary Joes and Janes attempt to rule over our own lives as well, but we too will rise and fall according to God’s plans.

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits…1 Timothy 4:1 

Not so long ago I became malnourished in the word of God. I started attending a doctrinally unsound church. I abandoned group bible study for a secular study at the local community college. I deceived myself into believing I wasn’t doing anything wrong. I nudged God from the center of my focus.  I began to entertain thoughts that stranded me on a precipice of sin. I rationalized that because I was a sinner saved by grace, it was okay to slip occasionally. Thankfully, God pulled me back before I acted out what went on in my head.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

These verses in Psalms have become my prayer. 

Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.

Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.

Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good. 

Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope. Psalm 119:29, 39, 43 

yicareggie

 

2 Kings 8, 1 Timothy 5, Daniel 12, Psalm 119:49-72

Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. Daniel 12:10

If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8

Teach me knowledge and good judgment for believing your commands. Psalm 119:66

God used family problems this week  to refine and purify my actions.  Initially I fixated on my sister’s culpability. After all she did curse at me. Certainly I was above reproach. (Ha!) Then the Scriptures opened my eyes to how my own behavior contributed to the situation.

In constantly trying to rescue her from her problems we as a family had robbed her of the ability to cope on her own. In turn I had denied myself the opportunity of receiving assistance from her.

The best One to judge everything is the One who is in control. Had we inquired of God  first perhaps things would not be so out of control now. Yet I praise Him for showing me that there are better ways to handle challenges than the way we have always done.

Father, You put me in frustrating situations time after time to help me grow. Thank you for teaching me how to respond to others to create more healthy balanced relationships. Thank you for your mercies new every morning.

yicareggie

 

2 Kings 6; 1 Timothy 3; Daniel 10; Psalm 119:1-24

Sometimes I’ve gotten really good advice. Sometimes I’ve gotten really terrible advice. Sometimes I’ve ignored all advice and gone with my gut … or worse: my heart. Sometimes I’ve fished for advice until I heard what I wanted to hear, and heard it enough times to ensure I was right. Sometimes I wasn’t sure I was doing the right thing. Sometimes things worked out the way I wanted. Sometimes it was weeks, months or years later that I realized regret for the choice of following advice (or my gut or my heart). Sometimes, still, those choices haunt.

I think of people who have offered advice over the years: people who don’t want to rock the boat, people who love to watch other people rocking the boat, a therapist, compassionate people, angry people, people who love people, people who don’t always like people, selfish people, generous people, people with no kids, people with kids, people with grandkids, shy people, outgoing people, people who love God, and people who don’t love God.

Sometimes even people with the best intentions, who love me, who are compassionate and generous and love God can still give advice that doesn’t line up with God’s word. And whether it’s a friend, a book, a counselor, a therapist, a Christian (or not), every opinion is flavored by experience, personal preferences or training. I need to think hard before I lock arms and go skipping down a path (thought system, belief or philosophy) and see if it aligns itself with God’s truth.

Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors. Psalm 119:24

Lord, I pray that I would seek you and your will first.

Courtney (66books365)