April 12, 2008 6:09 AM
Sam wrote:
Here Samuel, in his farewell speech as leader of Israel, said something that is important to us today. In reading verses 20 through 25, what he was telling them, applies to us today, only through Jesus Christ. We have all done evil, yet if we don't turn away from Jesus, He will save us. And specifically, verse 22, which tells us that we are God's people? How do I know, 1st Peter, chapter 2, says 'we', the ones who believe in Jesus, are chosen by God. Those who fail to believe are destined for a life with Satan. And, of couse, as in the NT, belief here in this chapter has to be accompanied by obeying God. (Even the demons believe, and shudder--or something like that.) Yes, this chapter is a good one to help us tie in the 'great old stories' of the Old Testament, with the salvation Scriptures of the New. Hope all have a great day...I have to get going---helping the church set up tents for a yeard sale today (hope its not raining too hard). Reply to this
April 12, 2008 8:00 AM
Rich wrote:
Been out of town for this week and just now got access to the blog. I have missed it much!!! Am in the North Carolina mountains near Cashiers. It is so beautiful up here. Our place looks out on mountains and a beautiful lake (they say it is the highest lake in North Carolina). We have seen waterfalls and much other beauty. It is so much easier to think of God and to stand in awe of his power and might when standing in the midst of such beauty. I wish there was a way to transport myself here every morning for prayer and study. I like Atlanta, but it is no match for this type of environment. I am thinking about and praying for all of you. Reply to this
April 12, 2008 8:26 AM
Sam wrote:
Wow! AWESOME!...Yes, we also enjoy 'relaxing' in the mountains. So great to hear that you are enjoying this 'vacation'? Take some pix and email later...at least us poor folks can try to IMAGINE what wonderful things from God you are seeing. Reply to this
April 12, 2008 9:02 AM
Rich wrote:
(v. 24) - "But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you."
This is an awesome verse that we should all memorize and remind each other of all the time. This is the basis of our faith! The simple rule we must follow.
Fear the Lord - my son said a wrong thing to one of his teachers last week and got in trouble. Basically my son crossed the line of treating a teacher with proper respect and treating a teacher like a friend. He said to his teacher what is okay for a friend by not okay for a teacher. A teacher is due a certain level of respect and there are certain lines that should not be crossed. Another teacher explained to my son that the difference between a friend and a teacher is that a teacher cannot change a grade if asked where a friend might. God deserves RESPECT from us. He is not our friend, he is our God. We can have a close relationship with him, but he is still God and we are still his people. We need to make sure we respect the line that exists between these two, similar to what my son learned this week. Fearing God means to properly respect him.
Serve him faithfully with all our heart - we must serve God, not other idols. This, as all of us have said many times, is a challenge in a world where idols (money, TV, internet, etc) are all around us. Idols chip away at us all the time. Daily quiet times, blogging, going to church, sharing with others, praying, .... These are things that will keep us serving God as we should.
Consider what great things he has done for us - I believe it is important for us to (OFTEN) make a mental list of all that God has done for us. God has blessed each of us so, so much. Just looking out on this beauty makes me so much aware of all that I have. God is an awesome God and he loves m so much. Thinking of this makes me grateful as I should always be. Reply to this
Here Samuel, in his farewell speech as leader of Israel, said something that is important to us today. In reading verses 20 through 25, what he was telling them, applies to us today, only through Jesus Christ. We have all done evil, yet if we don't turn away from Jesus, He will save us. And specifically, verse 22, which tells us that we are God's people? How do I know, 1st Peter, chapter 2, says 'we', the ones who believe in Jesus, are chosen by God. Those who fail to believe are destined for a life with Satan. And, of couse, as in the NT, belief here in this chapter has to be accompanied by obeying God. (Even the demons believe, and shudder--or something like that.) Yes, this chapter is a good one to help us tie in the 'great old stories' of the Old Testament, with the salvation Scriptures of the New. Hope all have a great day...I have to get going---helping the church set up tents for a yeard sale today (hope its not raining too hard).
Reply to this
Been out of town for this week and just now got access to the blog. I have missed it much!!! Am in the North Carolina mountains near Cashiers. It is so beautiful up here. Our place looks out on mountains and a beautiful lake (they say it is the highest lake in North Carolina). We have seen waterfalls and much other beauty. It is so much easier to think of God and to stand in awe of his power and might when standing in the midst of such beauty. I wish there was a way to transport myself here every morning for prayer and study. I like Atlanta, but it is no match for this type of environment. I am thinking about and praying for all of you.
Reply to this
Wow! AWESOME!...Yes, we also enjoy 'relaxing' in the mountains. So great to hear that you are enjoying this 'vacation'? Take some pix and email later...at least us poor folks can try to IMAGINE what wonderful things from God you are seeing.
Reply to this
(v. 24) - "But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you."
This is an awesome verse that we should all memorize and remind each other of all the time. This is the basis of our faith! The simple rule we must follow.
Fear the Lord - my son said a wrong thing to one of his teachers last week and got in trouble. Basically my son crossed the line of treating a teacher with proper respect and treating a teacher like a friend. He said to his teacher what is okay for a friend by not okay for a teacher. A teacher is due a certain level of respect and there are certain lines that should not be crossed. Another teacher explained to my son that the difference between a friend and a teacher is that a teacher cannot change a grade if asked where a friend might. God deserves RESPECT from us. He is not our friend, he is our God. We can have a close relationship with him, but he is still God and we are still his people. We need to make sure we respect the line that exists between these two, similar to what my son learned this week. Fearing God means to properly respect him.
Serve him faithfully with all our heart - we must serve God, not other idols. This, as all of us have said many times, is a challenge in a world where idols (money, TV, internet, etc) are all around us. Idols chip away at us all the time. Daily quiet times, blogging, going to church, sharing with others, praying, .... These are things that will keep us serving God as we should.
Consider what great things he has done for us - I believe it is important for us to (OFTEN) make a mental list of all that God has done for us. God has blessed each of us so, so much. Just looking out on this beauty makes me so much aware of all that I have. God is an awesome God and he loves m so much. Thinking of this makes me grateful as I should always be.
Reply to this