“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11
We are … perplexed, but not in despair; … So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. -2 Corinthians 4:8, 18
I read this yesterday and it’s been ruminating ever since:
Because he [Jesus] himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:18
The thing that hit me was how I (and maybe you) often under appreciate the fact that Jesus was tempted while on earth.
After I read that verse, I jumped to Matthew 4:1-11 and re-read the passage where Jesus was led in to the desert to be tempted by Satan.
It’s cool how the small things cause you to remember stuff from your past – both good and, well, not-so-good.
In my new role as a foster father (not-soon-enough adoptive father!), the other day, Sam & I were cleaning up the side of the house and we were “team sweeping” the leaves and stuff – me sweeping, him using the dust pan. He was having a tough time getting all the stuff in the dust pan and I recalled how my dad taught me the “sweep, back up the pan, and repeat” process for getting all the stuff picked up. So, naturally, I imparted my well-honed “sweeping” knowledge to him…
Pretty cool – and not so painful. I’m sure, in the course of our lives together, I’ll have ample opportunity to share and teach Sam about the not-so-good or hard lessons I’ve learned…
I was reading in Colossians yesterday and these two verses from chapter two popped out:
9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
Some “nuggets” from my daily Bible study times:
LK 11:37-52 – We may not literally DO the actions of Pharisees & Experts, but our heart may be similar. Search, know, & try, oh God. [May 23]
“Lord, R U telling ths parable 4 us or 4 all?” Peter, LK 12:41 / Too oftn we hear/read something & seek 2 apply 2 others B4 ourselves [May 24]
The people were delighted w/all the THINGS Jesus DID. LK 13:17 / Jesus’ actions had message/meaning. Our actions MUST point back to THAT. [May 25]
“…any of you who does not give up everything cannot be my disciple.” LK 14:28-33 / Jesus calls us to thoughtful sacrifice & service. [May 26]
The Parable of the Lost Son – LK 15:11-32 / 3 views of grace: 2 undeserving, 1 unconditional. May we be like the (F)ather [May 27]
Things people think R important R worthless as far as God is concerned. LK 16:15 / God’s economy is SO different from ours. [May 28]
Some “nuggets” from my daily Bible study times this week:
“Who needs a doctor: healthy or sick? I’m inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside & out.” -Jesus (-us?) [May 16]
“When Jesus finished saying all this in the hearing of the people,…” Luke 7:1 | Jesus wasn’t covert. May we be like Him in our day-to-day worship. [May 17]
We can mistakenly think the seed on “good soil” has it easy (LK 8). Don’t miss this phrase: “and by persevering”. God’s Word: Hear, retain, and persevere! [May 18]
“I didn’t keep the news of your ways a secret, didn’t keep it to myself. I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough. I didn’t hold back pieces of love and truth for myself alone. I told it all, let the congregation know the whole story.” -David (PS 40:10 MSG) [May 19]
Jesus: “You give…” Disciples: “We only have…” LK 9:13 // How often we think/say/do this. Imagine living as if God were all-knowing/powerful & ever-present! [May 20]
Jesus to the 72: “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” LK 10:3 / Why do WE assume/require comfort & safety to serve Him? [May 21]
Jesus finished praying in a certain place & a disciple said, “Lord, teach us” LK 11:1 / His posture made it clear He’d been w/God-does ours? [May 22]
What an amazing day yesterday – I’ll write about it at some point…I’m still processing it all.
One thing is certain:
My amazement never stops at how God constantly confirms
His love, care, direction, …
This song played several times yesterday and, this morning, I read the passage from Romans.
This whacked me yesterday:
“What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all!” -Romans 3:3-4
Now, replace the “faith” references with love, hope, peace, grace, forgiveness, kindness,…you get the picture.
God is so unlike me. Hallelujah, He’s unlike me!
Maranatha!
I was in the backyard this evening working on some stuff and playing with Annie and one of the rose bushes caught my eye. I just had to snap a picture and share – yes, this is from our backyard!
I remember I snapped a “before” picture on January 31 as I was pruning the roses around the house. I wrote about how each time I prune our roses I think about how God prunes those who follow Christ.
x
He does make all things beautiful in their time…roses and faulty humans.
OK. Please read the post title again in your best robot voice…that will lend to the theme here.
Ever had one of those days – or maybe weeks? I have – I guess we all do.
The other day, I found myself in robot mode. You know, where in spite of the junk that’s going on around you, you enter that safe and socially presentable state called: ROBOT MODE. (just for effect, re-read those two words in your robot voice.)
I was bummed, busy, and had stuff to do and people to work with…so I “engaged” and went through my day as if nothing were wrong – you know: birds singing, rainbows in the sky, whistling aloud, etc. Believe me, I’m good at it too – I bet I fool most people.
Except one…OK, two. (OK, maybe more, but I’m only focusing on two here…)
I was reading in First Thessalonians this morning and this verse in chapter one caught me:
3We [Paul, Silas and Timothy] continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)
Um, ok…”caught” is probably not the best word. “Convicted” is probably more appropriate…
Mainly because at times, if I were honest, Paul may have phrased this a little differently about me (…maybe even you).
Maybe something like:
3We continually [lift you] before our God and Father [because of] your work produced by guilt, your labor prompted by obligation, and your endurance inspired by fear of our [gracious] Lord Jesus Christ [and the totally wrong thought you have that you’ve got to “bank” good things to make Him love you, accept you, and answer your prayers].
x
Oh, to be like the Thessalonians…
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