My fall reading has yielded so many little treasures to ponder and record in my journal. Everyday I ask the Spirit to show me something new and everyday He does.
John 16:13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth…”
Reading through the Bible each year is more exciting when something I never noticed before catches my eye. These are my “green pastures” and “still waters” that restore the soul… the “table set before my enemies,” (Psalm 23) spiritually speaking. With pages and pages filled… here is just a little of the feast:
Luke 24:45 “…and He opened their minds to understand the scriptures”
Acts 3:19 “…repent so that times of refreshing might come from Jesus”
1 Corinthians 12:7 “To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given – for a benefit of all.”
Galatians 2:16 “Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ…”
Galatians 5:1 “For freedom Christ has set us free…”
Ephesians 1:13 ”…you were marked with the seal of the promisedHoly Spirit,”
I love that many of these truths are about the Holy Spirit – since it was the Holy Spirit I asked. Just like Jesus promised, God is faithful to His law of sowing and reaping.
“So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.“ Luke 11:9-10
Today I feel blessed and overwhelmed with God’s goodness and faithfulness to me. In a world that appears dark and spiraling, I know God is on His Throne – in control. I woke this morning asking for joy and started with my thankful list, an hour later I was overcome with gratefulness and jotted down this little poem:
His Story
Thank You for working when I can’t see, Thank You for moving in spite of me
To take any credit would be such a shame For anything “good” has come through Your Name
I humbly acknowledge it’s only by You: any hope’s been fulfilled- any heart’s been made true,
This story of love You’ve chosen to tell, revealing the end from beginning as well…
gave us a way to come to Your Throne, through Your precious Son, our Savior alone!
Jesus The Way- The Truth- The Light and His Holy Spirit- our amazing Delight!
Life goes by in a blur. Its always been a balancing act. However, today seems to hold new challenges – like how to glean information from the news and NOT get tangled up in the thinking of “last day’s men.” 2 Timothy 3:1-7 warns about these:
Verse 1 – But understand this Timothy, that in the last days difficult times will be present. I can already see the difficulty that’s taken over the world recently.
Verses 2 & 5 – For there will be men – lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive to parents, disobedient, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, implacable, slanderous, without self-control, savage, without love of good, treacherous, reckless, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness – but denying the power of it. And from these turn away. These folks are everywhere! I feel more on-guard than ever before. Evil influences seem to surround everyone I love.
Verse 6 –Out of this group are those entering into households and taking captive weak women burdened with sins being led away by various passions, This verse grabbed me. God promises His Word will always convict, dividing thoughts and intentions of the heart. I had to stop and ask, “Who is Paul warning us about?”
2. sin is hamartia; an offense (abstract) yours or someone else’s
3. passions is epithumia: having strong feelings of any kind.
Wow- I do have strong feelings about current events. I’m not burdened by my own forgiven sin, but sometimes I carry the sin of those I love. I was also convicted of listened to opinions of “last day’s men.” Determining right then to evaluate more carefully every report I read and watch, especially listening for anything opposed to God’s Truth, I prayed:
LORD, as it gets harder and harder to see the truth, help Your children judge rightly the lies. Guard our hearts and minds in Christ. Give us a spirit of wisdom to recognize foolishness. In Jesus’ Mighty Name!
I don’t want to be a weak, silly women like verse 7. “always learning and never coming The Truth.” Like I asked in 2019, I just want clarity.
I suppose everyone has heard 2 Timothy 3: 2-4 referred to lately – the list of who to avoid in the Last days. If I hear it again today, I won’t be surprised… it’s a hot topic! But for me a don’t-list feels abstract and un-useful, I need a be-list. Tell me what to be like, as in who to emulate, and how to behave. Yes, Jesus is number one, but I want specifics.
So, I grabbed a Greek translation and a dictionary to clarify my own list of characteristics to aim for – these are the opposites of 2 Timothy 3:2-4.
BE:
unselfish instead of self loving
giving/generous instead of loving money
quiet instead of boastful
humble instead of proud
gentle/honoring instead of abusive to parents
obedient instead of disobedient
thankful instead of ungrateful
acting holy instead of unholy
loving instead of not loving
calm/rational instead of implacable
honest instead of slanderous
self controlled instead of without any
kind instead of savage/fierce
admiring of good instead despiser of good
To me the most shocking on thislist is the last one, “despiser of good.” When did it become popular to hate good; despise virtue?? Bad is not good, wrong is not right, abuse of any kind- is not honoring to God. Behavior still matters! God help us all aim higher.
I walk the field early every morning praying as I throw the ball for our big black shepherd. Back and forth, back and forth it’s a great way to think through what’s happening in the world and hash it out with God.
He isn’t surprised or overwhelmed. He settles my soul and reminds me of truths I’ve read in His word. I talk through things about my kids, the business we own, my sewing clients, family and soooo many questions.
Luke 11:9 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. 11:10 For everyone who asks RECEIVES, and the one who seeks FINDS, and to the one who knocks, the door will be OPENED.”
I ask for guidance and direction, I seek to see truth and hear His voice, I knock to come close and be filled with His Holy Spirit. I love just being with Him. Everything else can wait… it all feels so –less than important.
Time flies and soon I have to stop and start my day, but whatever lies ahead I carry this time and His Spirit with me. Every minute, hour, day, week… whatever I’m doing I know He’s aware and ready to meet my need.
Luke 11:13 “If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
There’s nothing I like more than some early morning Bible reading with a good commentary at hand and my BibleHub app (for original translation). Today, reading Nehemiah 8 showed me I am not alone:
5 Ezra opened the book in the eyes of all the people, … all the people stood up.
8 (the leaders) read from the book of God’s law, explaining it and imparting insight. Thus the people gained understanding from what was read.
9… all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.
Understanding comes when I read the whole story (or letter). Sometimes it takes more than once through. I can feel emotional too: convicted, full of gratefulness, or simply in awe at who God is and His amazing plan through Jesus.
10 “Then Ezra said to them, ‘Go, (celebrate) for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the Joy of the LORD is your strength.’”
12 “So all the people departed … to enjoy tremendous joy, for they understood the words that had been read to them.”
Ultimately it’s the understanding of God’s precious Word that brings me tremendous joy. Reading or listening to the scripture feeds my soul. Realizing again all He has done to bring me close… the amazing and abundant Life He has prepared… and the unfading Hope I have in what’s to come.
Ahh the Joy of His Word! This by far my favorite way to spend any morning.
Here’s the continuation from my last blog digging into scripture references about The End Times. Jesus had a lot to say on the subject as did Paul, Peter, John, and Jude. “…as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” -disciples, Matthew 24:3
6.Jews return to Israel Test – 8.8 million and counting!
“Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitfuland multiply. I will also raise up shepherds over them and they will tend them; and they will not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD. -God, Jeremiah 23:3-4
*Since Israel was born as a nation in 1948, hundreds of thousands of Jews have returned to Israel from more than 100 different nations. “Every jew has the right to come to this country as an oleh (immigrant).” Israel’s population clock estimates 27 immigrants arrive per day!
7. Great almost-war against Israel Test– God miraculously steps in!
After many days (Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal) will be summoned; in the latter years, and you will come into the land… whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel…its people living securely, all of them. And you will go up… like a storm; like a cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, (Persia, Cush, Put with Gomer, Beth-togarmah from the remote north) and many peoples with you.” – God, Ezekiel 38:8-9
“But Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish will ask (accuse), ‘Do you really think the armies you have gathered can rob them of silver and gold? Do you think you can drive away their livestock and seize their goods and carry off plunder?’” – God, Ezekiel 38:13
*Gog= ruler of Magog= All Russia , Meshech= West Russia , Tubal= East Russia, Persia= Iran, Cush= Sudan/S. Egypt/N. Ethiopia, Put= Libya, Gomer= Europe, Beth Togarmah=Turkey/Georgia/Syria. Not involved: Sheba & Dedan= Saudia Arabia.
8. Damascus Destroyed Test– gone!
“Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city, and will become a fallen ruin… the land will be a desolation… At evening time, behold, there is terror! Before morning they are gone. This will be the fate of those who plunder us, and the lot of those who pillage us.” Isaiah 17:1-14
*Damascus is a populated city today in Syria. The Jews await this prophesy being fulfilled.
9. The 3rd Temple Test – There must be a Temple!
“and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as beingGod.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4
*Preparations have been made, but the Dome of the Rock sits in the way.
10. The One World Government Test – Only worship the ruler or else!
Revelation portrays: one world-leader, one religion, one payment system, one allegiance… very similar to China, N.Korea, Cuba, Laos, and Vietnam today.
“Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea. It had seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God. I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal wound was healed! The whole world marveled at this miracle and gave allegiance to the beast. They worshiped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they also worshiped the beast. Revelation 13:1-4
*Beast= worst ruler ever, possessed/by satan. Dragon= satan. 10 Horns = 1o kings (Daniel 7:24). 7 Heads of the beast= (possibly) 7 different rulers throughout history.
Recently I heard of a test anyone can take to evaluate where we are on God’s timetable. Verses from the Bible offer clues revealing just how close we may be to the End of Time. For centuries people have speculated and wondered if their generation was the one that would see the Return of Jesus. I find it fascinating to compare God’s Word with current world news. What do you think?
The Character Test– untrustworthy people
“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Character in Greek- dokime’: trustiness, proven, tried, tested.
2.The Apostasy Test – loss of Truth!
“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the Day of the LORD has come. No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy comes first.”- Paul, 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-3.
*Apostasy in Greek –Apostasia: Defection from truth, forsaking of truth.
3. The Lawlessness Test– more wickedness!
“And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love (agape’) will become cold.“ Jesus, Matthew 24:12.
*Lawlessness in Greek is anomia: sin, iniquity, wickedness.Love in Greek is Agape’: charity, benevolence, unconditional love.
4. The Persecution Test – Christians persecuted!
“Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My Name.” Jesus, Matthew 24:9.
*Tribulation in Greek is thlipsis: affliction, persecution.
5. The Deception Test– Many will entrap!
“And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people.” Jesus, Matthew 24:10.
*Fall away in Greek is scandalize;entrap, trip up, offend. Betray in Greek is paradidomi: deliver up in hate, put in prison.False Prophet in Greek is pseudoprophetes: pretended foreteller, imposter. Mislead in Greek is planao: deceive, seduce.
My brother-in-law loves to say, “It’s all good.” Whatever is going on he doesn’t sweat the small stuff. Like my son, he is a paramedic. With the drama that transpires inside of an ambulance while racing to a hospital, I guess they rarely panic off duty.
But is EVERYTHING good? I read an interesting quote by Richard Wurmbrand in the book about his life, Tortured for Christ (1948). He said, “What we call bad is often simply unfinished good… you can never know if what has happened so far will prove good or bad… Only when we see the end of everything can we hope to understand.”
Like the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-46, Richard and his wife Sabina’s life held some of the most unfair treatment I’ve ever read. Warning, it’s a disturbing book! Yet through all they endured, good actually came in the end.
God delivers on His promises. He is out for the good of His children.“And we know that for those who love God ALL things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
Not only does God use everything and everyone in a Believer’s life, He knows our hearts, our past, our present, and future. He planned ahead to make His children like Jesus, building us into one huge eclectic family! Called, and Justified, and Glorified. Can you find richer blessings than listed in Romans 8?
I read that wonderful chapter and think of any painting I’m working on. Half finished backgrounds, partial sketches, incomplete sections… its all a work in progress, just like my life. Trust the plan. Trust the Artist. Trust God. He knows what’s good.
So much chaos in our world. News, news, news… and precious little is good. I read of war while I’m sipping coffee. Listen to statistics of Christain persecution while working out. Pray for friends and relatives affected by this new variant. Then lie down at night in peace. Is that ok?
I can’t carry the weight of the world, God does that. However, I live on earth and aim to stay informed, mostly so that I can pray. But in the end, there are meals to prepare, a yard to cut and always quilts to sew. I lay the heavy news down and move on. Is that right?
Yes, I think it’s healthy and necessary for sanity-sake. Until crisis comes to my door. Yet even then, I wrestle to trust and let God carry me. It’s the only way through life with any Joy left to share. I push to read my Bible more than the news and listen to praise music while I pray for others. Like keeping a balance: pouring encouragement in, while the world drains me out.
We are told in God’s Word that as the End Times approach, things will become increasingly messy. Some days I feel like that time is here. God alone knows how messy it will get. I’m supposed to hold on, look up and wait on Him – with Hope in my heart and Joy in my soul for our deliverance, knowing that My peace could be the very lifesaver someone’s looking for. That unexplainable peace that doesn’t make sense in the circumstance.
Jesus-peace. The kind you get from knowing Him. And knowing the BEST is yet to come!
Good Morning
There’s nothing I like more than some early morning Bible reading with a good commentary at hand and my BibleHub app (for original translation). Today, reading Nehemiah 8 showed me I am not alone:
5 Ezra opened the book in the eyes of all the people, … all the people stood up.
8 (the leaders) read from the book of God’s law, explaining it and imparting insight. Thus the people gained understanding from what was read.
9… all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.
Understanding comes when I read the whole story (or letter). Sometimes it takes more than once through. I can feel emotional too: convicted, full of gratefulness, or simply in awe at who God is and His amazing plan through Jesus.
10 “Then Ezra said to them, ‘Go, (celebrate) for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the Joy of the LORD is your strength.’”
12 “So all the people departed … to enjoy tremendous joy, for they understood the words that had been read to them.”
Ultimately it’s the understanding of God’s precious Word that brings me tremendous joy. Reading or listening to the scripture feeds my soul. Realizing again all He has done to bring me close… the amazing and abundant Life He has prepared… and the unfading Hope I have in what’s to come.
Ahh the Joy of His Word! This by far my favorite way to spend any morning.
ForGlorySake! -Anna