Monday Morning Cover to Cover
UPDATED: Several comments have been added below.
This is my 100th post.
Couldn't be any more excited to do a post on our journey through the Bible cover to cover praying
Psalm 51:6"Surely you desire Truth in your innermost parts."
Annette, Helen, Jen, Jenny Hope, Holly, Fran, Denise, Patty, Deborah, Jean, Alana, Mary Lou, and Bob & Bev have purposed in their hearts to journey together to daily read the Chronological One Year Bible and listen to hear the Voice of the Beautiful God we all so love.
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"You were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth. And we keep asking our Glorious Father to give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know Him better. We pray that the eyes of your heart may be opened to have hope and to have His incomparable present power for you." Eph. 1: 13, 18
Every Monday morning, I will post verses from our chronological reading, truth we can talk to our God about establishing in our lives. We have heard Him speak to us during the week's readings. Feel free to comment in silence, a sentence, a stanza. No comment is too short, too long.
GET READY TO JUMP DOWN TO THE COMMENT FORM AFTER YOU READ THE FOLLOWING 3 QUESTIONS. (I had difficulty posting this with the html code for some reason which prevented me from using different fonts,sizes etc. This post did not just hop on to the blog like they usually do!!! I apologize for the format.)
What did your God stir in your soul as you read His Word this week?
What lingers from the Voice of God?
What is the prayer of your heart?
George MacDonald wrote: "To hold to a doctrine or an opinion with the intellect alone is not to believe it. A man's real belief is that which he lives by."
What truths do we hold so deep in our hearts that need to soften, melt, transform to the truths of the Word of God. The truth sets us free. John 8:32.
I have prayed for each of you every day this week who are on this awesome journey that your eyes may be wide open. If you'd like to join the journey with us praying through the Bible, just e-mail me. Also, there is a link on the sidebar to Engage The Journey, hosted by Kate McDonald for online chronological reading and daily comments.
Now, jump down to the COMMENT FORM.
We would love for you to share what lingers with you as you have read and prayed the Word of God this week.
LEAVE A COMMENT now by scrolling down...we would love to hear from you especially this Monday Morning on the 7th day of the month.
THIRTY TRUTHS to PRAY FROM GENESIS 1 - 11 and JOB 1-7.
Print out this page.
Talk with your God as you read each truth and ask Him to establish the truth in your heart. II Peter 1:12
Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." The truth is that you were in His mind in this verse. "For He chose you, in Him, before the Creation of the world." Eph. 1:14
Genesis 1:26 - "Let US make man in our image, in our likeness. The truth is there was more than One Person. The truth is you were made in the image of God.
Genesis 2:3 - "God RESTED from all the work of creating. The truth is that we must repent of trying too hard and rest from our striving.
Genesis 2:18 - "It's not good to be ALONE." The truth is that man man felt aloneness before sin entered the world. The work of naming animals still found man “alone.”
Genesis 3:5 - Verse 3:5 When you eat from this tree, your eyes will be opened and you will be LIKE GOD, knowing good and evil. The truth is that I want to control my world and be better than others, be like God.
Genesis 3:7 - "The eyes of both of them were opened and they realized they were naked. The truth is sin opens our eyes to feel shame.
Genesis 3:8 - "They hid from the Lord God among the trees in the garden." The truth is we do not hide from the Lord God as soon as we hear His footsteps unless we are guilty.
Genesis 3:15 - "I will put enmity between you and the woman." The truth is we have entered a battle with enmity that has already been won.
Genesis 4:5, 6, 10 - "God did not look with favor on Cain and his offering." The truth is God is looking into my heart. Man looks on the outward appearance. God looks into the heart. I Sam 16:7. Ask yourself, "Why are you angry?" "Why is your face downcast?" "What have you done?"
Genesis 5:29 - Noah gave them rest from the painful labor of their hands. The truth is our life is created to find rest only in God and offer that rest to others.
Genesis 6:8 - "Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Noah walked with God." The truth is that if we walk with God, we will find favor in His eyes.
Genesis 8:21 - "The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma from Noah's sacrifice." The truth is we are the fragrant aroma of Jesus Christ, II Cor. 2:14, when we honor God, not building our own kingdoms.
Genesis 9:23 - "Shem and Japheth walked in backwards and covered their father's nakedness." The truth is we can live to cover the shame of others, not expose them.
Genesis 11:4 - "Let us make a name for ourselves.” The people of Babel inscribed their names on each brick…a mere mortal brick buried in the rubble of the tower. What is true is that promotion only comes from the LORD and what He does with our name—may I not demand greatness. Psalm 75:6,7
Job 1:1 - "One to whom great enmity was shown" (definition of Job in Hebrew). The truth is God put enmity between us even if we are blameless, upright, and shunning evil. Job's name coming from Arab means "to return to God, to repent."
Job 1:5 - "Early every morning, Job would sacrifice an offering for each of his ten children, thinking, 'perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.' What is true is that Job continually prayed and offered sacrifices in the event that one of his children dismissed or missed in their heart the God they knew.
Job 1:6, 7 - Satan came. Definition of Satan in Hebrew – “one who lies in wait” “an adversary in the court of justice.” The truth is Satan tempts me to keep my family and friends in the courtroom, questioning their love for me, care for me. There’s not a Christian on earth who escapes from the eyes of our adversary in court who is saying: Does God really care? Where is your God now? If God is good, "WHY this?"
Job 1: 10, 11 - God placed a "hedge" around Job and his household What is true is that there is a hedge of protection around every follower of Christ. Pray that we not demand hedges, demand blessings. Satan’s tactics: overwhelm us—no time to catch our breath, multiple misfortunes will sink Job.
Job 1:19 "There was no movement from Job in his losses until he heard this. The house collapsed on your children and all ten are dead. He “AROSE” tore his garments, shaved head, total grief, and WORSHIPPED, and didn’t sin." The truth is that I must pay attention to what happens in my own heart.
Job 1:21 - “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” What is true is that Satan can take away our prosperity but we can still praise Him for Satan cannot take our salvation from us.
Job 2:10 – “Shall we accept good from God and not adversity?” What is true about how we live disappointed in what God has provided or not provided in our prayers? Am I angry in my heart? Job didn’t sin with his lips.
Job 3:17 - "Like an infant not born, there the weary are at rest." The truth is that absence of troubles is not what brings rest to my weary soul.
Job 3:20 - "Light is given to him who suffers." The truth is "if you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how will you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets?" Jer. 12:5
Job 3:25 – "What I fear has come upon me. What I dreaded has happened." The truth is that what we grip tightly in our hands will be pried out. Jim Elliot wrote: 'He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.'
Job 3:26 - "I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest, only turmoil." What is true is that our beautiful God is leading us to find a deeper rest in those places in our soul where there is no rest.
Job 4:5 - "You supported the stumbling but when your trouble comes, you’re discouraged, Job!” The truth is our afflictions are not proof that we are guilty. Enter the suffering of your friend not trying to "fix" their theology.
Job 4:19 "Don't trust in your house of clay." What is true is II Cor. 4:7 that "we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
Job 5:8 - “If it were I, I would appeal to God. I would lay my cause before Him.” The truth is Psalm 50:15 'Call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you will honor Me.' What is true is that He is our Maker, our Author." Psalm 139: 4,5 Before there is a word on my tongue, you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in---behind and before."
Job 5:19-26 - "Don’t despise the discipline of the Almighty." Look at the verbs: He binds up, He heals, He rescues, He ransoms you and me. What is true is that one day we will all know that “our tent is secure.” Rest in the assurance of the One who works so powerfully in us. One day we’ll find that “nothing is missing” and we have found peace in the midst of our afflictions and rest in our souls even if God seems silent.
Job 7:16 “Let me alone.” The truth is our pain is too great and we want relief, not repentance. The truth is God will have mercy on us.
47 comments:
First of all, I am so thankful to be doing this reading with you ladies. Thank you for hosting this, Bev, and thanks to each of you for desiring more of Him. My first thoughts in Genesis were how God even knew we would need a beginning so that He created a place in eternity to start our story-the first thing He created was time for us.And that it was our story. Like a daddy sitting down telling his child how he came about. The second major thing that hit me was when Adam faced God, he feared because he was naked. Maybe most of our fears stem from nakedness and exposure--certainly mine do. Then, pious and prosperous Job had more to him than his possessions. He looked to God, though he grumbled, he knew all was in the Lord's Hands. He felt comfortable enough to take it to the Lord. He had some friends that had to tell him what he did wrong, and he didn't like that--when we're going through a bad time, that is good to remember--not everone needs advice, just a little compassion. That's it for now--no need for a book, just a few comments on what lingers! Praying for each of you to hunger for His Word and His presence.
Annette
from Annie's Eyes on
January 6, 2008 11:33 PM
What struck me this week was in Genesis 6:20, God told Noah that the animals will come to him. It never occurred to me that God had to prompt the animals to go to where the ark was in order to get on it. It filled me with a sense of peace and trust in knowing that God has a plan and purpose for me and it is not up to me to "work it out" or "stress over it" because it is God's plan and He will do everything that is necessary to bring it about.
What lingers is from Job 5, "But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted."
Help me Father to see, acknowledge, praise You for and not miss the wonders you perform for me every day.
Thank you for praying for my son. He is almost all healed up!
Bev,
How neat that you are doing this, although I am not following the chronological reading, my goal for 2008 is to read the Bible more than ever. Not just to read, but to memorize and meditate on God's Word so His Words start to change my false ways of thinking.
I think one of the best things that you are doing with these ladies is that you are praying for them. I think that is a great gift.
Blessings my friend...
Business first :)
Are you going to continue to put the new scripture for the week up in your side bar?
It helped to be able to copy it into my notebook.
I have read through Genesis quite a bit in the last two years. I am constantly amazed that He proves His word is alive each time I read it and it hits me where I am.
I was hit by the three friends of Job this week.
I wondered how many times in the past I have given words to another without the full story from God. It kind of put a little "fear" of God in my soul.
How many times without going to God and asking what His word would be and what His will was for the person--I spoke.Kind of scary!
I have always been amazed by the story of Job. I have wondered many times when things were getting rough if maybe God hadn't removed His hand so that I could be sifted.
Bottom line--I just want to pass the test and glorify Him.
What lingers in my heart-----I want His will to be done in my life as it is being done in heaven.
What is the prayer in my heart---that when tested I would be found faithful.
Thanks for doing this girl.
RYC-why do you think that I am not respecter of persons? (I understand this was a positive comment) I was thinking about that last night.
Congratulations Bev on your 100th post...woo hoo!
Good morning everyone...so rich to read your words this morning.
What stirred and lingered with me this week.
The word "every" and "everything"...God gave Adam everything that had the breath of life in it...yet as we know Adam and Eve both wanted more...how often to I look at the lack instead of the surplus in my life...It reminded me of in II Peter where we are told that God's divine power had given us everything for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him...Adam and Eve received all in the physical realm...we have received all in the spiritual realm...
Noah really touched me this week...so much so that I wrote a post regarding it...you can read much more there but I was amazed that he was the only righteous man amidst utter wickedness...encouraging for all of us living in this world today. I was blown away once I really looked at the years of commitment to building the ark that he stuck with it even when it just must have been daunting. Trusting God in the unseen...a great model of this...Also a huge portion of Noah's life was building the ark...how patient am I to see God's promises fulfilled? Do I complain and grow weary?
Moving to Job, it really impacted me that Job's friends came and sat with him for 7 days and 7 nights in silence because they saw how he was suffering but it appears it was not much time after that they begin to point the fingers. I really want to be careful that in my relationships I err more on the side of consolation and not condemnation. I wonder if I am prone to criticism when I don't understand why something is happening...trying to make sense of it all...that's not my job...my role is to be an encourager, a comforter, a prayer warrior and not one that wags a critical finger...this really spoke to me...how can I be impatient when God is so patient with me.
Thanks for all the scriptures Bev...that was a real treat...and I am praying for all of you as we continue together.
Helen
Bev, what a blessing to be included in this group. I just read the truths that you gleaned and oh, how almost everyone of them spoke to my heart. For the last two years my husband and I have been sifted and it's not over yet. I believe we are learning as we go and will not have to go around this mountain again. It is hard for me to read Job. The last three months have been some of the hardest and sweetest time in my walk with the Lord. He is telling me to "Be still and quit striving". I thought I was, but after reading today I realize part of me is still wanting to strive and not trust...Thank you for praying for us. God is going to do a mighty work because of this endeavor.
Job 3:26 - "I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest, only turmoil." What is true is that our beautiful God is leading us to find a deeper rest in those places in our soul where there is no rest.
*I LOVED THIS ONE. I have found that the Lord deeply desires us to find rest in Him during stressful times....it's a peace like no other. And on those sleepless nights we can still awaken "refreshed" knowing that He is there, resting us, calming us, leading us. This lingers to me on days like this! =)
This is a great idea! Thank you for doing it!
Hey sweet Bev and friends...
First of all accept my apologies that there were 2 days that I missed due to the move....I beat myself up for awhile and then I've moved on....thank you for understanding. I had a weird sense of loss when I couldn't find my Bible. She has been recovered and resting comfortably by my side now!!
Let me give you a quick thought on Job. Well, actually let me back up to creation and let me say I continue to be blown away at His "awesomeness" in that whole thing! I can't wait to talk about that in heaven! :)
Ok, back to Job. I know a family under SEVERE attack right now and Job was just hitting home with me as I thought about what I do, have done, or should do when under attack. Attack is every day though and just varies in degree.
I pray for myself, for my family and for all my friends to be strengthened in faith when under attack and then Lord, Jesus help me to remember my armor each and every day as I get up and go about this world. (Eph 6)
My love for God, His world, His creation, His people, and even me have deepened to a place that I can't find an adjective for.
I love Him so. Thank you for your prayers. I'm praying for all of us too.
Keep your eyes and heart on Jesus. He is life.
Hugs~
Fran
Good Morning! Happy 100th post!! I am so excited to be on this journey with all of you and I look forward to learning from each one of you! I was going to comment on Job but I felt God leading me to comment on Genesis 4. I took 3 pages of notes from one section of this chapter but trust me I will spare you all from my notes. LOL Here is what God laid on my heart: Cain and Abel. We all know the story but God has a message for us from this familiar place in scripture. Abel-keeper of the sheep, Cain, tiller of the ground, Two brothers, two different occupations but God's focus was not on their vocation but on their offerings. Abel's offering was accepted and Cain's was not accepted. Abel was obedient and brought what God called for and Cain gave what he wanted to give. Sin#1 Disobedience. Cain was angry at God to the point of being hostile. He couldn't kill God so he killed his brother. I am sure some of us have been angry at God for not doing something for us in the time we thought God should and the thing I have found in my walk with God is that we can be totally honest with Him, our feelings, thoughts, emotions, He knows it all and if you are mad, tell Him. Of course I have done this and then repented for being mad at God. In verses 6-7 God was asking Cain, why are you mad? The thing that caught my attention this time, Cain didn't answer back. What could he say? What could we say? God looks on our hearts, HE knows us, He wanted Cain to admit or confess his sin. Cain had premeditated sin in his heart and God knew that and was trying to get Cain to confess that because God warns him that sin was crouching at his door, and it's desire was to have him.
The number 2 sin in Cain's heart was jealousy of his brother. I am a visual person and I could picture an animal crouching and watching it's prey until they sense a weakness in their prey and then they go in for the kill.
This reminds me of our adversary, the devil, In 1 Peter 5:8, Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. This was Cain and this is us. Sin wants us the devil wants us but we must rule over sin as God exhorted Cain to do. Sin pounced on Cain and thus he became a killer. Sin will always take us farther than we want to go. The driving point that God laid on my heart: Cain could have repented immediately with disobedience but he didn't and that took him to jealousy and then murder. Actually, we can throw in anger and rage on top of this. The enemy wants to heap such a pile of guilt and condemnation on us after we sin that would keep us from repenting and asking forgiveness of our sins because he knows it breaks our fellowship with God. He will tempt us until we commit the sin and after we do sin he points and laughs at us. It's time we stopped letting the enemy have the upper hand in our lives. For those who are in Christ Jesus there is NO condemnation. May we remember this story and remember that God is a Forgiving God and a Merciful God and wants us to run to Him when we have sinned or messed up and that way sin won't snowball into something else as it did with Cain. Sorry this is so long but this is what God laid on my heart. :o)
Thank you Bev for hosting this and praying those verses over us.
Love,
Patty
Congrats on 100! Thanks for the comment on my blog last week. Sorry, I've been slow to respond. We have all been sick ... I think I still have many more weeks of being sick before I'm done with this :)
Congrats on your 100th post! I'm so glad that I decided to do this. I know it will be a blessing to me this year.
Bev, thank you in advance for all the time you will be putting into this...and thank you so much for committing to pray for us...what a gift!
My thoughts are on Job. I have to say the book of Job has always scared me. I mean, the trials this poor man endures and his faith...HIS FAITH is unfathomable to me. Talk about leaning on the everlasting arms! Job must have been leaning hard, collapsed in the everlasting arms, perhaps. I'm in utter amazement. I think his ability to endure had a lot to do with his prior relationship with God. And says a lot to me about how tight I need to be with God in order to weather life's storms.
I also agreed with some others about Job's friends. Sometimes people don't need solutions, just a listening ear and for us to point them in God's direction. Reminds me of the song by Casting Crowns called "Love them like Jesus"...
The love of her life is drifting away
They’re losing the fight for another day
The life that she’s known is falling apart
A fatherless home, a child’s broken heart
You’re holding her hand, you’re straining for words
You trying to make - sense of it all
She’s desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view
She’s looking to you
Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions
Just know that He loves her and stay by her side
Love her like Jesus
Love her like Jesus
The gifts lie in wait, in a room painted blue
Little blessing from Heaven would be there soon
Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to grey
As the little one slips away
You’re holding their hand, you’re straining for words
You’re trying to make sense of it all
They’re desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view
They’re looking to you
Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Lord of all creation holds our lives in His hands
The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands
The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands
He cares for them just as He cares for you
So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Love them like Jesus
Wow, didn't know I had that much to say...some of it processed just now ;-)
Oh Bev, how awesome is this... on your 100th post you give back to our Papa....
And so the story goes, a beginning.. and oops... we blow it...
The thing that stands out so much for me on the book of Job is that as devout of a follower as he proclaimed to be... and was... we can ALWAYS learn and there is always something more for us.. For even Christ spent time learning from His Father. Job had something to learn from God. He went through a lot but in the end there was such a bittersweet moment between he and his Savior.
Also, revealing to me that Satan and God have conversations... Temptations? God ultimately is in control of the final destination not so much as where our choice is concerned because that is truly ours... but in life's events... it seems there can be some conflict between good and evil..
In my days of feeling like Job, I always look to hear from Papa... Because I know I will learn something.
This is so exciting to come and do a wonderful study with you... thank you for your precious heart my friend
I love you
Connie
I keep coming back to read--there is some good stuff here.
Glad you did this Bev.
Glad I did this. :)
So happy to see a comment from you today... As far as bloggers go... there are very few bloggers that encourage me the way you do... I am glad we connected through the blog world. I can see you are an encouragement to many others too. It has to be one of your spiritual gifts :)
Blessings friend, and thanks for praying for me!!!
Bev,
How awesome to see you pouring into the lives of women in this way!
I am truly thankful to have met you through this fascinating blogworld I have recently wandered into. You encourage and bless me by your words/comments on my posts, and I see from the other comments that you do the same for many other ladies. I concur with "to know Him" that this is surely a spiritual gift for you! I can't imagine a greater ministry than writing/speaking words of encouragement to your sisters! Thanks, Bev.
Thank you for your kind words about my writing and even associating me with Paula. It would be an honor to be in "company" with her, as she is a beautiful and talented writer...if you read my books after hers, though, you might experience a bit of a letdown, as she is truly eloquent. I don't consider myself on her level, whatsoever. I am just a girl who pours her heart out on a computer at night. What I do share with Paula is a heart for women and a desire to deal with issues that we all deal with and influence our everyday lives. When I read her newest book, I saw so many parallels in what she was saying and what I feel and write about, as well...as far as the message is concerned.
Bev, you are being used to spread comraderie among women everywhere, and I am thankful to be included in that group. I don't really know you, and yet I feel as if I do. Wish I could take you out for a cup of coffee!
Journeying with you!
Lisa :)
First of all, Bev, I cannot thank you enough for doing this for all of us.....praying for us and giving us words of Truth to pray...what an enormous gift from your heart that I appreciate so very much.
With all of the drama going on in Job, I almost feel like it was lightyears ago that we were reading about our beginning and Cain and Abel and Noah and the flood and his sons! I almost don't know where to start.
You asked what the prayer of our heart is and I believe I will begin there. On Jan. 1 of our journey, I wrote that I had been thinking about my goals for the new year and that my overall goal from which the rest flow is that I want to make a difference in the lives of those I come in contact with for the glory of the Lord. As I thought about what I wanted to do differently in 2008, the thought went through my mind that I didn't just want to "make myself better" by my own sheer willpower (of which I have little), but that I wanted to be better because there was more of Jesus shining in my life. The next day I read (and I think it was on Bev's blog) that God's promise to me is "If you will internalize the Bible, you will manifest my heart." So, with this Bible reading my desire is to choose a verse from my daily reading, meditate on it, memorize it and internalize it. My prayer will be that God will continually show me how to internalize His beautiful words to me that I may manifest His heart to those I come in contact with.
My husband is the first person on my list to want to show change to, so I chose Gen. 2:23 to memorize "The man said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman Because she was taken out of man." I try to see myself as fashioned from the rib of my husband which goes a long way toward how I react to him and think of him.
There has been so much this week for me to chew on and to think about with everyone's wonderful comments on both this blog and Kate's website, but I will stop with this! I would love to comment on Job and his friends, but it would just take up way too much space!
Thank you again, Bev, for encouraging us in this journey. I am so excited about it!
Love,
Jean
A busy day with the kids all home...sorry I'm late!
The first thing that I really felt God stir in me is the CONSTANTCY of His Word. In all the non-constant things going on around me...He never changes. His Word never changes. And yet, it is fresh for the mature believer as well as for the new believer. That amazes my senses!
This was one thing that stood out: "Why is life given to a man
whose way is hidden,
whom God has hedged in?" Job 3:23
I think upon it and feel that the LORD would say to me, "Your way is not hidden from me, but yes, I have you hedged in." I think that the refuge of His Word and the Truth that comes...the certainty of His provision and peace are what lingers from this week's reading.
Ah now, the prayer of my heart is for strength in my soul. More of Him. And Joy!
Praying for you all!
Much love,
Holly
I am always drawn to the garden of Eden......God gave Adam and Eve everything to sustain life.. He was all to them and He wanted them to understand nothing except Him... When they ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil mankind was thrown into the dispensation of conscience..Now they knew that they had sinned and in the knowing they tried to fix it... and so goes it with mankind... to just accept the sacrifice that Christ gave mankind is unacceptable.. we always want to find a way to fix what we have done wrong....... God never wanted us to know anything but Him and His provisions......... He sustained their lives, knowledge brought with it the guilt and thus the tendency to shy away from the light of His face....... I am so thankful that we are living in the dispensation of Grace and I pray that everyday my eyes will sheltered from the knowledge of any ability in myself and focus on His provision for me... and seek only the truth of Him and cast away the knowledge of myself. For in Him we live and move and have our being...........
Nice to meet you,,,,,,,,,, found you via Karen over at Sit With Me a While....
my readings have been so good. more than anything the Lord has been speaking to me about coming for the sheer joy of encountering Him through His word. I can't even begin to tell you what all i have learned but i am going to comment on it when i have a minute. today has been a crazy day. also i just finished listening to beth talk about truth in the inmost being! so good! I know the Lord is speaking a word over me.
anyway, i started having chest pains this morning that kept coming all day long until i went to the doctor. it is inflammation of my chest cavity. i am still hurting so i have not had time to blog much.
right now I have such urgency to get on my face....morgan just went to sleep!! =)
I'm with Sharon--I just keep coming back here to read all of your insight and mostly your hearts for the Lord. Thank you, all of you, especially Bev, for this season of learning together and sharing His Word. It is divinely orchestrated, I see already.
Thank you for the kind comment and I would love to start your bible study.. I will get caught up this week and join you on Monday... I take care of my 88 year old Mom and 90 year old Dad so there might be times that I fall behind but I will give it my all...........
thank you........
Just poppin in to say congrats on the 100th post!
Looks like some awesome things are happening around here! You go girl!!!
Love,
Sue
how did the party go?
Awwww, I missed a party????!!!!
Jean
Bev,
That is great that you are doing the Bible in a year. I will try to join when I can :)
I am sorry I have not been online in awhile. I jamed my pointer finger on my right hand. I tried typing but it hurt really bad and then I had to wear a splint so it made typing too hard. I took a break so I could rest the finger.
I hope you are doing well. I think of you oftern.
God bless,
Kim
Annette, Gen. 1:1 really moves me in thinking about your precious humble life so desiring God in all facets. You were in His mind on that day of Creation and I have that written down in my journal about you. So your words touch me. I have a tear running down my face as I read your comment about being naked before my beautiful God. I have so dealt with shame in my life over when I was gang raped and it was not my fault. Praise to the God Who sees me as I am---your words touch me deeply. And then when you said that people need compassion. You have given that to me Annette and I can't thank you enough---no judgment, just the compassion of your God flowing through you! Thank you, my friend! Beautiful comments you left!
'Nise - This is why I love doing this with you girls. You shared two comments that I didn't ever think about. What you said about Genesis 6:20 was moving---that is God moving. Whoa! You know, that so speaks to where I am today that I don't have to figure out everything but He is moving. I just want to go with my God and you encouraged me today to do just that. I do find peace in this 'Nise "and He will do everything that is necessary to bring it about", as you say, as He says. And then I was so caught up in Job's appeal thinking how on earth can Job tell God I want to lay my cause before you as if we can appeal in this kind of way---anyway I missed the verse that came after that is so full of truth. "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." Thank you so much for that word from Him for all of us.
Thank you Kim. I think you surely have the gift of encouragement~
Sharon, I think we have been hit by the three's advice wondering when we tried to give trite answers or a Bible verse to help cause they spoke truth a lot but clothed in such arrogance and lack of love for Job. Your comment makes me think about God's Love and how perfect and beautiful it is for Job and me and you. Found faithful even in midst of troubles. Love your heart.
Helen, Oooohhh! You speak to my soul right now---what do I want more than the love of my Christ? He has given me everything but I want the validation of man. I want the validation of a ministry. But promotion comes from Him Psalm 75 and so your words hammer on my heart in a most needed good way. What stirred and lingered with me this week. I weep as I read your verse shared from II Peter - "everything
everything for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him..."Adam and Eve received all in the physical realm...we have received all in the spiritual realm..." Thank you for your wise words Helen. Such a joy to get to know you.
Noah really touched me this week...so much so that I wrote a post regarding it...you can read much more there but I was amazed that he was the only righteous man amidst utter wickedness...encouraging for all of us living in this world today. I was blown away once I really looked at the years of commitment to building the ark that he stuck with it even when it just must have been daunting. Trusting God in the unseen...a great model of this...Also a huge portion of Noah's life was building the ark...how patient am I to see God's promises fulfilled? Do I complain and grow weary?
Moving to Job, it really impacted me that Job's friends came and sat with him for 7 days and 7 nights in silence because they saw how he was suffering but it appears it was not much time after that they begin to point the fingers. I really want to be careful that in my relationships I err more on the side of consolation and not condemnation. I wonder if I am prone to criticism when I don't understand why something is happening...trying to make sense of it all...that's not my job...my role is to be an encourager, a comforter, a prayer warrior and not one that wags a critical finger...this really spoke to me...how can I be impatient when God is so patient with me.
Thanks for all the scriptures Bev...that was a real treat...and I am praying for all of you as we continue together.
Helen
Mary Lou, it's my privilege to be included with you all...and that word "included" sticks out to me as I read your comment. The very first verse God gave me was Eph 1:13,18 for all of us....we are included in Christ when we heard the word of Truth. Oh!! It makes my heart so happy for you that God is "sifting" as you say, you and your husband, so that you are "all in" with him and with your beautiful God. All you have is this moment and I pray that your steps will continue humbly and holy and hovering. Fight the good fight of faith with your husband. I ask you to pray that for me too with my husband as we push through his termination from his job. Hold fast Mary Lou. You are beautiful in HIM. Psalm 27: 13,14You so spoke to me when you said - "Be still and quit striving". How I long to be still and lead a quiet life groaning in the Spirit in this fallen world and advancing the Kingdom of God. Loved your words!
Nicki - Job 3:26 - "I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest, only turmoil." What is true is that our beautiful God is leading us to find a deeper rest in those places in our soul where there is no rest.
*I LOVED THIS ONE. I have found that the Lord deeply desires us to find rest in Him during stressful times....it's a peace like no other...
Nicki - there is something about seeing your own words that penetrate me. When I went through a severe depression two years ago, I couldn't sleep for 3 months. Now, sweet sleep is so on me and it's good. Last night was first night since Christmas I could "sleep in" and I couldn't. Dead tired this a.m. and wide awake dead tired and longing to find refreshment in knowing that He is there, resting us, calming us, leading us. So thank you for this word. I so want to take this to HIM. Longing for rest in my soul in a place that is not at rest.
Fran,
To think that you were in His Mind before creation is like you say, so AWESOME, can't fathom it! And look Who He has made you to be.
He is making you for all of us a
safe haven
safe harbor
So many of us just drive our ships right into Fran's blog, Fran's heart, where it is safe from the waves of this world. I can't thank you enough for the God you have brought to me Fran!
And your comments about Job...you are ALWAYS thinking about someone else. I love your servant heart.
Beckle your bult with Truth!!!
I can't find adjectives to describe what He is doing in you, either! I just keep going back to He is a beautiful God for bringing you into my life!
Patty, I bet you have so many pages of notes cause your mind runs deep and your soul is deeper still. Your take on Cain and Abel is riveting to me. What did they offer their God. Makes me examine my heart this a.m.---what am I offering to my King! Cain did what he wanted to do---ooohhh! I love your challenge for us to be honest before our God---He sees our heart. Then your take on 6 and 7 about God asking us why are we mad? He longs for us to repent and that so speaks to me Patty. You know that you speak God's truth to me and it permeates me so. I still remember the first conversation with you about what God is doing in the midst of my storms. Your comment reminds me of Rom 2:4 that is the kindness of our God that leads us to repentance. Just loved your cross ref with I Peter 5:8 the roaring lion seeking to devour us in jealousy, rage, murder in our hearts. No condemnation! Thanks for showing us our Merciful and Forgiving God! No condemnation! OOHH!
Heather, I am so sorry that you guys are still sick and I hope it is really shortlived. That's been a long time. My 16-year-old came down with ear infections and bronchitis Dec. 5th and we had to bring him back to the doctor yesterday for another round of antibiotics. But you guys have had it so long. Take care~!
Alana (aka uh-lay-nuh)
Who wouldn't be scared of Job's story. God allowed his 10 kids to be killed at once and so where does our mind go with that???
I loved what you said about Job---HIS FAITH is unfathomable to me. I can't wait to meet this guy in heaven and tell him how much his words, his story, has meant to me. I mean the guy just keeps pushing through. As you say---"Talk about leaning on the everlasting arms!" I love how you say---collapsed in the everlasting arms. I'm in utter amazement. I think you are so right that his ability to endure had a lot to do with his prior relationship with God. And I love your point about Job's friends when you said people don't need solutions but a listening ear. So many people just want to "fix" me from my problems. But what does God's love look like? Certainly not a quick fix. I loved your linking us to CC's Love Them Like Jesus. I'm singing it right now. Just loved what you had to say Alana. I have such a heart for you. You are absolutely precious. So thrilled you joined us to listen to Love's voice. You heard it!
from - Collapsed in His Arms
Connie, I so love your words---"And so the story goes, a beginning.. and oops... we blow it... " And that's what He is coming to save us from...being curved in on ourselves. Right?
Loved what you pointed out in Job that the follower He was ---I mean he had a walk with God but still needed HIM so. There's more....so much more. Yes!
Then your point about Satan and God conversing---never thought of it that way. Satan is the god of this world. But!!! You penned it when you said....our God is ultimately in control of the final destination not so much as where our choice is concerned because that is truly ours... but in life's events... it seems there can be some conflict between good and evil.."
Thanks, as always, for your wisdom from Above...your blog is like a hospital that people come to for healing, for help, for meltdowns, for life, HIS LIFE. I'll check in soon at the Hospital Blog with nurse Connie who cares for so many. It's a pun on your real jub but it's the truth! Love you my dear!
Lisa, Was trying to leave you a comment and your blog popped up...GO BLUE...your hilarious humor and huge heart for HIM so invites and intrigues me. You are one intriguing woman with weighty words for me and many. Keep on writing for your tongue is the pen of a ready writer for your KING.
Jean, so thrilled to be on this journey with you, my instant friend. I know what you mean about the drama of Job making me think the Creation story was light years ago. Love your heart that wants to make a difference in lives of others for His Glory! He just must love that about you. Loved your take on the new year to not just get better but look at things like---"If you will internalize the Bible, you will manifest my heart." Your words are powerful Jean that you want your beautiful God manifested in you, through you. And who's the first person you want HIM to do that to---this so touched me...You said, "My husband is the first person on my list to want to show change to, so I chose Gen. 2:23." That is so God, Jean!!! That is so God in you! It rocks my morning!
Holly, You have wisdom beyond your young years, oh ancient one! I always look to see what you will say for you speak from your heart and it's a beautiful one! Loved your comment on constantcy of His Word, constantcy of the word made flesh in us. Love the ways you flesh out His Word in the midst of your own battles with the world, the flesh, and the devil. Your take on Job 3:23 makes my ears perk up for I want to hear a person in your unemployed state talk about His provision and peace. That ministers to me!
I see such strength rising up in your soul!
Hi Denise, nice to meet you... enjoyed reading your comment about Adam and Eve being thrown into the "dispensation of conscience" Whoa! It's intriguing how you say that they tried to fix it---and so do we. Your words make me want to go the Light of His Face and not shy away for we live in the dispensation of Grace, as you say. Grace upon grace---ooohhh! Loved your ending---in Him we LIVE and MOVE and that's what it is all about today. So nice to meet you and have you in this.
Jenny Hope, I can't even begin to tell you what I experience when I am in your blogging presence. I just know it's God, Jenny Hope! I feel so knit to you. You offer me and others such hope---oh my goodness, I just thought it's your middle name. Coming to you is like throwing down an anchor on my rocking ship in waves over my head knowing that the anchor is going to hold for the time being. Isaiah 33:6 - He is the stability of your times in midst of such attack on you Jenny Hope. The enemy would love to discourage you but He can't get to you. You are protected, hedged in, before and behind. Psalm 139: 4,5 Let me know what the doctor said---you guys can't seem to catch your breath on calamities---but I know Who holds your hand. That telling verse we read this week. Your life so tells of His Glory! Love you to pieces!
Sue, You are one of those bloggers that I always get excited when I see the prasie & coffee for what you offer to all of us. Love your posts. Interesting that we both hit 100 on the same day. How's about that??????? as we say in Texas.
Kim A. - So delighted and thrilled you have joined us. No pressure here, just hungry women longing to listen to Love's Voice and talk about it and pray truths back to HIM. What lingers for you this week? What lingers in me as I experience you and now even know your voice, I hear a heart wrapped around His, I hear a humble voice wanting so much to know Him, a see a life as a wife & mother being well lived. You are such a joy to me, Kim. Now that I know your voice, can't wait to see your face. You know, I've never seen mine...I think about what that means a lot...oh well. Love you my dear Kim!
Those who have joined us this week are:
Alana, Mary Lou, Linds, Denise, Angie, and Kim A.
If any of you would like to join us in reading through the Bible and talking to God about His truths, just e-mail me. Bev
Hey Bev, thanks for doing this. I'm chiming in a bit late here. I'm Holly and I'm 23 and I decided to join y'all. I have LOVED Genesis 1-7 this week. Last night I posted on my blog about 7:16 and the ark. I will re-post it here. May God bless all who read. Thank You Lord for mercy!
Love,
Holly
Tonight as I was reading Genesis 7, I got so excited that my chicken soup speckled the page. I was sitting on the floor and eating soup off of a tray that also had my Bible on it. During the last half of this week I decided I needed a balanced diet with more than just food. I need a balanced diet in the Word of God. I need it all. The full counsel of God. The last time I read the entire Bible was 5 years ago! Five years! That’s like saying the last time I had my spinach and peas was five years ago! Well I need those nutrients more often that that. Since 7-7-03 when I finished the Bible, I’m shameful to admit how many times the pages of Numbers and Chronicles and Ezekiel have been darkened, and even the book of Genesis has mainly served as a point of reference for me rather than meditation. I’ve been lazy.
That changed this week. I didn’t know Genesis 1-7 could come so alive! All these little things are sticking straight out to me that I didn’t notice before. From the idea of an older lady, I started reading through the Bible chronologically. I’m taking it slowly. I figure, it’s better to get the Word through me than to get through the Word. I’m supposed to be on chapter — well, we’re not going to talk about that. Let’s talk about Genesis 7:16.
“Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered [the ark] as God had commanded him; and the Lord closed it behind him.”
This is what I sensed the Lord showing me…
Right after the flood started, Noah and His family got on the ark. These are the people that God chose to survive the great flood, because Noah had found favor in God’s eyes. Everyone else was wicked. God was grieved he made man and decided to blot them out. BUT He would save Noah. And while He was at it, how bout Noah’s family too.
It was kind of God to save Noah and His family.
But He didn’t have to.
He could have started all over.
Wiped out everybody and their mama and started from a clean slate.
But He showed mercy. God still did what He said He was going to do by blotting out man from the face of the land (see Gen. 6:7), but He chose a family to remain alive through the disaster. When “the Lord closed [the ark] behind [Noah]” after allowing him and his fam on board, it shows that God did preserve His people — the remnant — just like He will do in end times.
But He must be faithful to His promise to punish wickedness and not let everybody into heaven, just like He was faithful to bring the flood of destruction and not let everybody on the ark. He’s going to blot out this earth — burn it straight up with fire. And He’s gonna make a new heaven and earth.
“But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3:7-13
We have a chance to get on the ark. Back then it was based on family status — were you a member of faithful Noah’s family?
Now it’s based on your own personal decision — will you get on the ark by joining God’s family, or will you be swept away and destroyed by the flood?
He’ll adopt you if you come running to Him in repentance. You still have a chance to be adopted and get on that ark!! Even if you have no family resemblance. Even if you got black kinky hair and everybody else has yellow skin. That ain’t no thang to God, He’s just interested in your heart full of faith in Christ. He’ll have the prettiest most diverse family EVER. He’ll have one from every tribe, tongue, and nation. He won’t close up that ark until He’s got at least one of each.
The day is gonna come when the Lord’s gonna close that “ark” again. Now is the time for mercy! Now is the time for repentance! Hop on!!
And go tell your friends to hop on! It’s gonna be mighty fun, you won’t wanna miss this ride.
Guess how long it lasts!
Yep! That’s right! ETERNITY!
woo wooooooooooooooo
Lisa,
I just read your comment to me on your blog. Thank you Lisa from the bottom of my heart! We are human beings not human "doer's." Your true words sunk deep into a place in my heart. Psalm 51:6.
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