Isaiah 47: O.K. so I missed yesterday. I could have done it, but I simply decided I was to tired after spending the night hanging out with Jimmie. Not a bad use of time (we had some good God talks) but that doesn’t excuse me skipping devos. The Lord is talking about how He will humble Babylon. He talks about how he turned Israel over to them, and instead of being good masters they we’re bad to them.
Isaiah 48: So, from the previous chapter we know that God is mad at Israel’s chapters. Unfortunately He’s still frustrated with Israel. He admonishes that for “invoke[ing] the God of Israel, but not in truth nor in righteousness.” I wonder if this is my problem. I often Invoke God’s name, but do I do it in righteousness and truth? Good question. I should watch that. He is upset at them for blaming His works on their own doing, and their Idols. God refuses to give His glory to anyone else, so He says he will have His day.
I Corinthians 11: O.K. so this starts out with the whole man vs. woman thing. I think people take this out of context. Men don’t cover their head vs. Women do. This is a cultural thing that would be people sending a certain message. Verse eleven and twelve are the key, “However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his berth through the woman; and all things originate from God. Here’s my take; In the spiritual realm men and women are equal before God. In the home, they both serve each other, but the man in the leader. The key to that statement is the word leader. In this context the word “leader” means a lot, and has a lot of limitations on it. Leader doesn’t mean boss, master, always in charge. Instead it means he should humbly lead by example.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Isaiah 45-46: I Corinthians 10
I wrote this Tuesday, but didn't have a chance to post it.
Isaiah 45: It’s been a long day… not bad though. I had fun doing some crazy combatives this morning (also known as rolling around in the grass). It actually bangs your knees up pretty bad. I’m not complaining though. It beats working in a cubicle. In Isaiah 45 God talks about how He uses Cyrus to accomplish really awesome things. God could use me in that way. If I open my life to His control I know that He can take me to places both great and small. God talks about how strong He is, but one message really hit me. “Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons.” He wants us to ask about the things to come. He wants us to ask Him why He does things. The key thing to remember is that He might make us wait a while for the answer. I’m still waiting for the full answer to my issues a week ago. Though I think I’ve sorted it out at least a little.
Isaiah 46: God emphasizes that idols are worthless. “Hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god.” How worthless is that. If you can make it, what use is it to pray too? It can only have the power you give it (namely the power over you). The idols of today are just as stupid. They are made by men, so what good are they. They will only be in ruins before too long.
I Corinthians 10: Paul talks about how most of their fathers disobeyed God in the wilderness. He is emphasizing this, because the Jewish culture focuses a lot on their ancestors. Paul doesn’t want them to be led astray to idols like their ancestors. There seems to be a pattern lately of God talking to me about idolatry. What is my idol? Anyway, Paul gets back into the lawful vs. profitable debate again. He uses a good world: edify. I think I’ll ask from now on whether things edify. I think it will put the right light on things.
Isaiah 45: It’s been a long day… not bad though. I had fun doing some crazy combatives this morning (also known as rolling around in the grass). It actually bangs your knees up pretty bad. I’m not complaining though. It beats working in a cubicle. In Isaiah 45 God talks about how He uses Cyrus to accomplish really awesome things. God could use me in that way. If I open my life to His control I know that He can take me to places both great and small. God talks about how strong He is, but one message really hit me. “Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons.” He wants us to ask about the things to come. He wants us to ask Him why He does things. The key thing to remember is that He might make us wait a while for the answer. I’m still waiting for the full answer to my issues a week ago. Though I think I’ve sorted it out at least a little.
Isaiah 46: God emphasizes that idols are worthless. “Hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god.” How worthless is that. If you can make it, what use is it to pray too? It can only have the power you give it (namely the power over you). The idols of today are just as stupid. They are made by men, so what good are they. They will only be in ruins before too long.
I Corinthians 10: Paul talks about how most of their fathers disobeyed God in the wilderness. He is emphasizing this, because the Jewish culture focuses a lot on their ancestors. Paul doesn’t want them to be led astray to idols like their ancestors. There seems to be a pattern lately of God talking to me about idolatry. What is my idol? Anyway, Paul gets back into the lawful vs. profitable debate again. He uses a good world: edify. I think I’ll ask from now on whether things edify. I think it will put the right light on things.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Isaiah 43-44; I Corinthians 9
Isaiah 43: In this chapter God emphasizes the fact that His people are HIS. That’s kind of comforting. “Since you are precious in My sight, Since you are honored and I love you… Do not fear for I am with you.” Obviously this is to Israel, and a different covenant than I am under, but still it reveals how God is. If God was always going to stay by Israel despite her shortcomings, (details later in the chapter) He will do the same for me. He will always be there to wipe out my transgressions.
Isaiah 44: In this chapter God focuses on idolatry. He talks about how stupid it is to trust in things besides Him. “Is there any God besides Me, or is there and other Rock? I know of none.” God emphasizes that He is the only way, and that trusting in anything else is futile. People who ignore God are blind to the truth. It says that God has smeared over their eyes (food for thought, but I’m still formulating my opinion on it… someday). God will forgive and redeem those that sin. God finishes the chapter on a positive note telling Israel how He will establish them again.
I Corinthians 9: Paul reminds of us the Law of Moses “don’t muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” Paul focuses throughout the chapter on how people of God have the right to enjoy life, get married, and enjoy the fruits of their labor. I often forget this, and I beat myself up for not trying to “make every second count.” Yes, I should make every second count, but I often have a messed up view on what that means. I need to sometimes enjoy myself, as long as I’m not keeping God out of those activities. God can go with you to whatever you do. He can help you be a witness, or just spend time with you as you do mundane tasks. Yay!
Isaiah 44: In this chapter God focuses on idolatry. He talks about how stupid it is to trust in things besides Him. “Is there any God besides Me, or is there and other Rock? I know of none.” God emphasizes that He is the only way, and that trusting in anything else is futile. People who ignore God are blind to the truth. It says that God has smeared over their eyes (food for thought, but I’m still formulating my opinion on it… someday). God will forgive and redeem those that sin. God finishes the chapter on a positive note telling Israel how He will establish them again.
I Corinthians 9: Paul reminds of us the Law of Moses “don’t muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” Paul focuses throughout the chapter on how people of God have the right to enjoy life, get married, and enjoy the fruits of their labor. I often forget this, and I beat myself up for not trying to “make every second count.” Yes, I should make every second count, but I often have a messed up view on what that means. I need to sometimes enjoy myself, as long as I’m not keeping God out of those activities. God can go with you to whatever you do. He can help you be a witness, or just spend time with you as you do mundane tasks. Yay!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Isaiah 41-42; I Corinthians 8
I just had a scrumptious breakfast of bacon, biscuits, cantaloupe, and peach yogurt. It filled me up, and now I’m ready to take on a not so busy day. I’m looking forward to hanging out with Jimmie this weekend. Hopefully, that means I’ll be adding to the witnessing blog soon.
Isaiah 41: This chapter is a message from God to His people telling them that they do not have to fear. When people are thirsty, God will answer… he will open rivers and the fountains of water. God is there for the small things, and the large things. This always puzzles me when God says no, and I don’t get why. That fact that he can and will answer the small prayers makes it all more frustrating when he doesn’t. That’s when we have to remember the part when He says, “I, the Lord, am the first, and the last. I am He.”
Isaiah 42: God is still speaking in this chapter. He talks about how he will put His spirit on his servants. That it won’t be a big deal. People won’t see crazy things, and He won’t draw attention. However, He will bring justice in the earth. That’s what I want to be. I want to be God’s servant with His spirit bringing justice in the earth.
I Corinthians 8: This chapter is often referenced by Christians. It talks about how you shouldn’t do things that make others stumble, even if they aren’t sin. It’s a hard thing to practice. It brings a lot of topics into play such at judging etc. Usually if a Christian is doing one of these “legal” things that makes others stumble they want the others to just get over it. Or, they say people are judging them (alcohol is the biggest one here). Is it wrong to have a drink? No. Can it cause some others to stumble? Yes. So what is the balance? Where do you draw the line? Do you put off alcohol, and other such things? Or do you just do them in certain settings? What if you are then seen, and are perceived as hiding it? Wouldn’t that just make it worse? Maybe people should only drink alone in there rooms :p (that was supposed to be funny). Anyway, it’s a hard one that obviously comes down to situations. I think you have to evaluate each situation, and if there is any hint that there is a problem you should do it. Yeah… I guess that’s easy to say.
Isaiah 41: This chapter is a message from God to His people telling them that they do not have to fear. When people are thirsty, God will answer… he will open rivers and the fountains of water. God is there for the small things, and the large things. This always puzzles me when God says no, and I don’t get why. That fact that he can and will answer the small prayers makes it all more frustrating when he doesn’t. That’s when we have to remember the part when He says, “I, the Lord, am the first, and the last. I am He.”
Isaiah 42: God is still speaking in this chapter. He talks about how he will put His spirit on his servants. That it won’t be a big deal. People won’t see crazy things, and He won’t draw attention. However, He will bring justice in the earth. That’s what I want to be. I want to be God’s servant with His spirit bringing justice in the earth.
I Corinthians 8: This chapter is often referenced by Christians. It talks about how you shouldn’t do things that make others stumble, even if they aren’t sin. It’s a hard thing to practice. It brings a lot of topics into play such at judging etc. Usually if a Christian is doing one of these “legal” things that makes others stumble they want the others to just get over it. Or, they say people are judging them (alcohol is the biggest one here). Is it wrong to have a drink? No. Can it cause some others to stumble? Yes. So what is the balance? Where do you draw the line? Do you put off alcohol, and other such things? Or do you just do them in certain settings? What if you are then seen, and are perceived as hiding it? Wouldn’t that just make it worse? Maybe people should only drink alone in there rooms :p (that was supposed to be funny). Anyway, it’s a hard one that obviously comes down to situations. I think you have to evaluate each situation, and if there is any hint that there is a problem you should do it. Yeah… I guess that’s easy to say.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Isaiah 39-40: I Corinthians 6
We woke up early for PT today… then stood around for a good half-hour plus waiting for it to start. That seems to kind up some up the situation here. Basically, we do a lot of hurry up and wait. The good news is we alternate it with slow down and wait J. Yesterday, I stopped at Isaiah 38, and was looking forward to 39 because I remembered the story.
Isaiah 39: So Hezekiah decides to show his enemies messengers all the stuff that’s in his house. There seems to be two problems with this. First, it’s tactically stupid, since they get to see all the weaknesses, and all the rewards of attacking. Second, he does it in a “yes, I am that cool” way. The worst part though is when Isaiah tells him that God is going to let his sons fall into captivity. Hezekiah’s response is “Whew, at least I’ll be dead when it happens… lets party!!!” Seriously, have some class. At least pretend that you care about your country, and your children.
Isaiah 40: This chapter is a song to the Lord about how great He is. It’s a great chapter… read it for yourself.
I Corinthians 7: O.K. so Paul is sooo a bachelor. He still strikes a blow for all men when he says that couples shouldn’t keep having sex regularly… yay!!! The confusing part is when he talks about how it is better for people to be single. Didn’t God say it was better man not to be alone? God gave certain people the gift of being single so that they could minister in a certain way (could you imagine Paul running about the whole world with a wife in tow?). Verse 25 makes things really clear, “I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion… I think that [man should stay alone].” Yeah, well you can keep your opinion thank you very much. It is true that a single person is concerned with the Lord’s work, while a married person is concerned with his family… OR, a single man in constantly concerned with not sinning… yeah, I don’t think I have the gift… sorry Paul (haha, double meaning).
Isaiah 39: So Hezekiah decides to show his enemies messengers all the stuff that’s in his house. There seems to be two problems with this. First, it’s tactically stupid, since they get to see all the weaknesses, and all the rewards of attacking. Second, he does it in a “yes, I am that cool” way. The worst part though is when Isaiah tells him that God is going to let his sons fall into captivity. Hezekiah’s response is “Whew, at least I’ll be dead when it happens… lets party!!!” Seriously, have some class. At least pretend that you care about your country, and your children.
Isaiah 40: This chapter is a song to the Lord about how great He is. It’s a great chapter… read it for yourself.
I Corinthians 7: O.K. so Paul is sooo a bachelor. He still strikes a blow for all men when he says that couples shouldn’t keep having sex regularly… yay!!! The confusing part is when he talks about how it is better for people to be single. Didn’t God say it was better man not to be alone? God gave certain people the gift of being single so that they could minister in a certain way (could you imagine Paul running about the whole world with a wife in tow?). Verse 25 makes things really clear, “I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion… I think that [man should stay alone].” Yeah, well you can keep your opinion thank you very much. It is true that a single person is concerned with the Lord’s work, while a married person is concerned with his family… OR, a single man in constantly concerned with not sinning… yeah, I don’t think I have the gift… sorry Paul (haha, double meaning).
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