August 14, 2008 7:24 AM
Sam wrote:
I wonder why God was so specific in His instructions to build this Ark. Acacia wood, along with gold, was probably relatively rare, and expensive to obtain. Maybe He wanted to see if Moses and his people would follow these 'simple', yet, complete instructions. I suppose if they did this, then they might be disposed to doing what they said they would do back in chapter 24 ("Everything the Lord has said, we will do.") Today, we have very specifics DO's and Don'ts.....I believe God is testing our hearts all the time with these commandments. Sometimes we DO things we are supposed to, yet we do them for the wrong reasons. Like yesterday, for example. The church to which I go had asked for fasting on Wednesday. That was the catalyst for me thinking about doing that, but the reason I didn't eat anything for 24 hours was really because I had eaten too much in the past week and wanted to keep my weight around 179-180. So, my heart wasn't in the right place as requested by the church....but, that is 'okay'---read what God says at the beginning of this chapter one my time....(verse 2). We HAVE to live by our hearts, not by demands of organizations. God wants us to give, most certainly, but to give with the right heart, otherwise it is fruitless (meaningless) giving. The same goes with all the other 'commands' we get from the Bible. You HAVE to have the right heart.....THAT is what we all have to work on. How? I don't know....how about some suggestions? PS--great all went well yesterday, Rich. Today, Jeanette goes in for surgery, please pray for her this morning. Also, keep Zack in your prayers for his pinched nerve in his back, and of course, Tony and his family with their situation---that needs to be improved, and if we pray enough, God will improve it. Also, if you don't mind, pray for Socorro--the Doctors have asked her to come back in for another set of X-Rays on her chest, but no one is saying why. Reply to this
August 14, 2008 10:12 AM
Rich wrote:
I think God being specific again shows his concern for his people. God is not vague - here or anywhere else. Similar to the detail in this list (and in others), God has also told us exactly what is needed to be saved and to remain faithful. God's word is clear - if we read it diligently everyday. I know that as I read/study the word daily (and share in the blog), I grow in wisdom and understanding. My life does not necessarily get easier. Difficulties and troubles are still ever present. The devil is a roaring lion looking to devour me and my family. BUT, as I read and apply, I begin to see more of the "ways out" of my present difficulties.
We have all had people tell us (while we are going through difficult times) about I Cor 10:13 - "And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
I think that the more in tune I am with God and his word, the more I see these ways out. But when I am spiritually dull, I keep crying out to God telling him that he has given me more than I can handle. Again, this is an example of God caring for us, giving us details of what we need to be happy and fulfilled, but with some conditions on us. God gives us personal responsibility to grow and to achieve all of the goodness he offers to us. He does not pull our salvation in and out from under our feet, but he does give us the choice and ability to learn and grow and through these to receive fullness of life.
Mac, I think we get a right heart with time and diligent Bible study and application. I think that the mere fact that you are aware that your actions were not for the right (i.e., Godly) reason, shows that your heart is in the right place. I think we all need to remember that even though God gives us (as he did with the Israelites in this list) specific instructions in many areas, he cares much more about our heart than he does about us precisely completing the actions. In Isaiah 29:13, God says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." Mac, I think that God is more pleased that you are struggling to have a good heart about fasting than he is about the actual fact that you may or may not have fasted.
God is awesome!!!
Jeanette, Zack, Tony and family, and Socorro are in my prayers. So too are Mac and Rik. Reply to this
August 14, 2008 12:57 PM
Sam wrote:
story of the day...ya GOTTA read this one...I'm still bawling...
August 14, 2008 1:21 PM
Rich wrote:
I am crying too. If only all such wealthy Americans would be so generous, think of how much different the world would think of us. What a great line from Mr. Tye: "I found out that all the money in the world couldn't save him, but I did realize that money could save lives." What a great HEART!!! Reply to this
August 14, 2008 2:59 PM
Sam wrote:
I liked his last line better: "When you look at somebody that had a life-threatening problem and you could, with money, save that life, you've got to sit back and say you helped make this world just a little better, and that's what it's all about." Reply to this
August 14, 2008 4:57 PM
Anonymous wrote:
the support from all/to all is encouraging. Jeanette is home and doing well. thanks for your prayers. Tony's elbows, on the other hand are not doing well at all. Please pray specifically for his elbow to get better. Reply to this
I wonder why God was so specific in His instructions to build this Ark. Acacia wood, along with gold, was probably relatively rare, and expensive to obtain. Maybe He wanted to see if Moses and his people would follow these 'simple', yet, complete instructions. I suppose if they did this, then they might be disposed to doing what they said they would do back in chapter 24 ("Everything the Lord has said, we will do.")
Today, we have very specifics DO's and Don'ts.....I believe God is testing our hearts all the time with these commandments. Sometimes we DO things we are supposed to, yet we do them for the wrong reasons. Like yesterday, for example. The church to which I go had asked for fasting on Wednesday. That was the catalyst for me thinking about doing that, but the reason I didn't eat anything for 24 hours was really because I had eaten too much in the past week and wanted to keep my weight around 179-180. So, my heart wasn't in the right place as requested by the church....but, that is 'okay'---read what God says at the beginning of this chapter one my time....(verse 2). We HAVE to live by our hearts, not by demands of organizations. God wants us to give, most certainly, but to give with the right heart, otherwise it is fruitless (meaningless) giving. The same goes with all the other 'commands' we get from the Bible. You HAVE to have the right heart.....THAT is what we all have to work on. How? I don't know....how about some suggestions?
PS--great all went well yesterday, Rich. Today, Jeanette goes in for surgery, please pray for her this morning. Also, keep Zack in your prayers for his pinched nerve in his back, and of course, Tony and his family with their situation---that needs to be improved, and if we pray enough, God will improve it. Also, if you don't mind, pray for Socorro--the Doctors have asked her to come back in for another set of X-Rays on her chest, but no one is saying why.
Reply to this
I think God being specific again shows his concern for his people. God is not vague - here or anywhere else. Similar to the detail in this list (and in others), God has also told us exactly what is needed to be saved and to remain faithful. God's word is clear - if we read it diligently everyday. I know that as I read/study the word daily (and share in the blog), I grow in wisdom and understanding. My life does not necessarily get easier. Difficulties and troubles are still ever present. The devil is a roaring lion looking to devour me and my family. BUT, as I read and apply, I begin to see more of the "ways out" of my present difficulties.
We have all had people tell us (while we are going through difficult times) about I Cor 10:13 - "And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
I think that the more in tune I am with God and his word, the more I see these ways out. But when I am spiritually dull, I keep crying out to God telling him that he has given me more than I can handle. Again, this is an example of God caring for us, giving us details of what we need to be happy and fulfilled, but with some conditions on us. God gives us personal responsibility to grow and to achieve all of the goodness he offers to us. He does not pull our salvation in and out from under our feet, but he does give us the choice and ability to learn and grow and through these to receive fullness of life.
Mac, I think we get a right heart with time and diligent Bible study and application. I think that the mere fact that you are aware that your actions were not for the right (i.e., Godly) reason, shows that your heart is in the right place. I think we all need to remember that even though God gives us (as he did with the Israelites in this list) specific instructions in many areas, he cares much more about our heart than he does about us precisely completing the actions. In Isaiah 29:13, God says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." Mac, I think that God is more pleased that you are struggling to have a good heart about fasting than he is about the actual fact that you may or may not have fasted.
God is awesome!!!
Jeanette, Zack, Tony and family, and Socorro are in my prayers. So too are Mac and Rik.
Reply to this
story of the day...ya GOTTA read this one...I'm still bawling...
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/08/13/iraq.baby/index.html
Reply to this
I am crying too. If only all such wealthy Americans would be so generous, think of how much different the world would think of us. What a great line from Mr. Tye: "I found out that all the money in the world couldn't save him, but I did realize that money could save lives." What a great HEART!!!
Reply to this
I liked his last line better: "When you look at somebody that had a life-threatening problem and you could, with money, save that life, you've got to sit back and say you helped make this world just a little better, and that's what it's all about."
Reply to this
the support from all/to all is encouraging. Jeanette is home and doing well. thanks for your prayers. Tony's elbows, on the other hand are not doing well at all. Please pray specifically for his elbow to get better.
Reply to this