Everything is bigger in Texas...and that goes for my hair. We are having lots of fun and fellowship in Beaumont. We are also experiencing a high percentage of humidity. I thought the humidity in North Carolina was bad. It doesn't hold a candle to Texas. Maybe humidity is the Texan woman's secret. No matter though, things are going great big hair and all.
I left my my daughter with a friend, my son with a friend, and my husband at home with dog. I think everyone is happy in North Carolina.
Thank you for your prayers. The trip so far is amazing. God prepared the way through the work of Holy Spirit. He is so good at His job!! I love being part of His story. I will talk tomorrow about our study and invite the Beaumont Girls to participate.
Have a great weekend. I will see you Monday.
40 Comments:
Hi gigs, I'm back home. I came home yesterday. I've been reading all the comments each day and praying for the prayer requests. I smiled each time I saw a new person commenting. I haven't found anything to really comment about in the past few days.
I had a nice week and I had fun but I didn't do much. My dad and I walked and played with my sister's dog just about every day for almost an hour each time. My sister has a Hungarian bird dog called a Vizsla. My sister came over twice and on Wednesday night and all day Thursday I spent time with her. She cheerfully took me clothes shopping. I say it like that because she's never really liked to do this. My other sister is the same way. It takes time to clothes shop and it's so hard for me to find things that will fit. I usually just wear dresses and it's so hard to find casual, like denim, dresses or skirts.
I'm feeling a little frustrated about being blind right now. My grandmother gave me a box of small beads in all different colors and I wanted my dad to take out the color I need for a project I'm working on. He wouldn't do this for me. He said I could just buy a pack of beads of the one color I needed. My dad does help me quite a lot.
Thanks for the prayers.
It's me gain.
Lori, thanks for the prayer the other day about me finding a special Godly-Christian woman who I can trust with all my heart. I do have three close Christian friends in my life who are very special to me but they live around four hours away. I know you meant a friend where I live. I do have a few friends in church but no one calls me outside of church except my pastor's wife when she doesn't hear from me. She's my ride to church. Many of the people in my church I've known for over fifteen years but I don't think I could really go to any of them with my frustrations and hurts.
Michelle in VA, just curious, what city do you live in? I am moving to VA hopefully sometime next year and I have family in different parts of the state.
Here's another poem I wrote twenty years ago. I was saved and going to church but still going through so much emotional pain and physically abusing myself.
You say your life isn't worth living and no one cares for you. Well I have a friend and he knows just what you're going through. You can call on him at any time be it morning, night, or noon. His line is never busy and he'll always be there for you. My friend is Jesus Christ. The Lord of lords, the King of kings, and Gods only begotten son. Whatever your situation might be Jesus knows just what to do. So trust in him and never doubt because he'll always bring you out. He'll always care when no one else does. He'll never leave you nor forsake you. And he'll be with you till the end to see you through.
Good morning Ladies. It's been so long since I've commented... I've been struggling in my prayer life lately - for no real reason, just feeling dry in my relationship w/ the Lord. That is very frustrating to me. I've been keeping up w/ the reading, however, because I am one of those Type A, check things off the list kind of people. Jen Renee - your poem reminds me of the passage in 2 Samuel and the Psalm we read today. God is our refuge that we can call on at any time and he will save us from our enemies. Thank you for your encouragement. I think I'm getting overwhelmed by the busyness of life.
Kate in VA
PS - Wendy, I'm glad you made it safely to Texas & I'm praying for your weekend (and your hair - ha, ha!). Please post some pictures soon!
k
Welcome back, Jennifer Renee--I loved your poem,and I chuckled about the bead, because most of the men in my life can't tell green from gold from brown! Maybe your dad is like that, too.
Welcome back, Kate -- I have been wondering about you and also I have been praying for John and Blair. Do you have any updates on John's health? Also, do you remember Wendy telling us at the beginning of the year that "life" would get in the way of this commitment that we have made, but to just push on through and stick with it? You should be very proud of yourself for obeying God and sticking with this, even when you feel too overwhelmed and busy. I notice that you are a teacher. I am a special needs teaching assistant and I am so burnt out right now after a challenging year at school plus lots of busy stuff on the homefront. Could you also be feeling that "cannot wait for summer vacation!" weariness? I have a stack of unread Christian books on my little Quiet Time Desk. I am currently trying to read "Love and Respect" which Brandee recommended, and "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl" but I am not able to find much time to read lately other than our readings and posts. I am DESPERATELY counting the days until summer break. I'm hoping to sit for hours on the porch reading (and recovering)and learning from those further along in their Walk than I. I would say I am just hanging on by my fingernails, but I am a biter, so my nails are non-existent right now, ha ha ha! I'll have to get those fakies put on before my daughter's wedding.
Anyhoo.....the point I'm long-windedly making is, I, too, am feeling overwhelmed and am not sleeping well, but I can't imagine not having this study of His word, this heart-warming fellowship, and a strengthening relationship with the Lord, Jesus.
Lord, I don't want to just know ABOUT you, I want to KNOW you. Thank you for leading me to Wendy's study, thank you for helping me find time for all of this in my life, thank you for renewing my strength when I am weary.Help me to keep my ears open and listen for your instructions. "God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection." (Psalm 18:30)
One last thought -- Wendy, do you think the popularity of Big Hair in Texas is the Texas woman's way of giving in to God's plan for her hair? I myself am thinking about giving in to His plan for my hair to be grey (smile)!
Praising Him and Praying for all requests!
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in Sunny, Lovely New England
Hi friends,
G&P I was traveling again this week, and did not have time to comment, but I kept up with all of you. Thanks for asking!
Jennifer Renee, thanks for the poem, it was beautiful! Lullu from yesterday, as a survivor of divorce my heart goes out to you. I am praying for you and for your family in this difficult time. I am also praying for your husband. I still pray for my ex. He still searches too. My heart has been transformed where he is concerned. Where there was hurt, anger, bitterness; now there is sorrow, sympathy, and concern. The sandpaper people in your life change in your view when you begin to pray for them. They may still be the sandpaper people that they always were, and their inner transformation may not be for you to see, but they don't irritate you so much. You begin to see their need. It is a great way to see God working in you (me)!
My today's didn't know was a big one; I did not know that Psalm 18 and 2 Sam 22:1-51 were the same! I wonder why? One commentary I read indicated that it may have been written when David was a young man (first delivered from Saul) and was sung at different times in his life, reviewing his own history and observing the gracious hand of God in it all. (Spurgeon paraphrased).
In it I see the foreshadowing of Jesus' death and coming again:
2 sam 22:8 (Psalm 18:7) - “Then the earth quaked and trembled.
The foundations of the heavens shook;
they quaked because of his anger.
Jesus death marked also by a big earthquake: Matt. 27:51 -1At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.
The darkness in verses 9-12 are like the darkness at the crucifixion: Matt. 27:45 - From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.
Verses 13-14 reflect
Rev. 19:12-16; 12His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Wendy, I hope you have a good trip in Texas.
Have a great weekend all!
Karen, Basel
Michelle,
We were typing at the same time... :) Go for the gray; I did and it is so freeing!
Love ya,
Karen
Karen,
Just as I was signing off, thoughts of you came to my heart, and I wondered where you had been this week! A God moment, indeed, as you were just posting, too! Sister, I am so with you on the hair, but I'd best wait til after the wedding photos. Then I will have the summer off to become "free" (in sooooo many ways, wink, wink).
Love you!
Michelle in New England
Happy May Day, Ya'll! I just typed 2 pages (!) and was getting ready to copy - paste and swoosh, 1/2 of it was gone! I'm just letting it go, -thank you, dear LORD, for not allowing me to get frustrated!
What can I say, I adore you lovely ladies! You are beautiful daughters' of the Most High. Lord, thank you for hearing all of our prayers. Thank you for bending down to listen to each one of us. Thank you for our trials, for they keep us clinging to You. Be our strength today. Allow us to love all of those who are in our circle of influence. Thank you for the beauty that surrounds us in your creation. "Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!" Ps 90:1 You are inside us and You will never leave us. Wherever we go, You will be right there next to us. Wherever. Thank You. Thank you for the peace that only can come from You. We cannot comprehend your power; keep unveiling yourself to each and every one of us. Draw us closer to You. Awe us today. May each of us today, truly know You more. In Jesus precious and Holy name I pray, Amen.
Hugs, Lori
PS Karen, your new was my new, too! How did me miss the repeat last year?! I do love David's Song of Praise! It shows us that God is our personal friend! He cares for each one of us, as if we were His only child on earth! It just draws me so close as I observe Him, being able to treat each of our own individual needs'! He meets us where we are at. He knows what we need before we even know it ourselves!
PS I just had to pop back in...
God is a true teacher! Meeting the needs' of each individual! Another light bulb moment for me, girls! The teacher in me just LOVES that characteristic of Him! Kate, & Michelle, that is what I'd pray, I'm just thinking of this as I type...Lord, today as I go to work, help me be like you. Help me take care of the needs of each individual in my classroom, today. May the power in me that comes from You flow out, as I teach. Father, I so want to follow your example. You have placed me with these children. Let me influence them towards you. Let me know all of their needs. Be my strength, because I am tired and weary. Thank you that you are with me all day long. Amen.
ox,lori
Hey everybody! Wendy...I hope Texas is a great time. It's real windy today in MN...so forget about the hairdo here too !
Hey Karen and Lori...yes, how DID we miss the two Bible chapters stating the same thing? Noticed that too.
There were so many beautiful, peaceful, meaningful words in today's reading:
I called on the Lord and He saved me.
God is my rock in whom I find protection.
My cry reached His ears.
The voice of the most high resounded.
He delights in me.
The Lord rewarded me for doing right.
The Lord lights up my darkness.
With my God I can scale any wall.
God's way is perfect.
All the Lord's promises prove true.
You have armed me with strength for the battle. (love that one!)
I love you Lord; You are my strength.
The Lord Lives! Praise to my Rock!
Aren't these so renewing to our Spirits? Praise Him for His words today...just what we needed to hear.
Morgen
ps...important prayer request: remember my praises during Holy Week that my coworker Jim had only bone spurs on his spine and they had ruled out cancer? Well...they scraped off the spurs and noticed 2 bad looking lymph glands. Unfortunately they found he has lung cancer. Please pray that Jim and his family would feel God's presence at such a time as this. Funny how news can go from elation to sadness real quick like. May we believers always stand on the good news; that whatever happens in life, God is in control and we are alright! Jim is a believer so that is such a comfort to me right now. But he's human and he's scared. Please pray. Thank you in advance.
Good morning, GIG,
WOW!!! I have already had a God moment..I was just reading my scripture for today as I thought it "might" lift me up a little as I am suppose to speak on "gentleness" as a fruit of the spirit at our Mother/Daughter Banquet tonight (just a 5 min. or so thing). My heart is heavy today as usual on Sat. am from missing my mom and then my favorite Aunt Betty died yesterday evening. Well, I had decided that I wasen't going to speak, that I would put it together and someone else could read it. It is hard to be at this banquet as it was one of my mom's favorite things with me and her granddaughters.
WELL, MY GOD IS FAITHFUL AND MIGHTY. HIS SPIRIT IS FLOODING MY HEART AT THIS VERY MOMENT. I read today's reading and lo and behold, He spoke to me through the reading:
2Sam22:19...but the Lord supported me...20) He rescued me for doing right; He restored me because of my innocence. 26) To the faithful You show yourself faithful.
Then, the best part was when I read Ps. 18:35: You have given me Your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help (GENTLENESS) has made me great. This one scripture was one that I had thought of using before hand...No one can tell me that His Spirit is not ALIVE in us!!!!
Oh, GIG, my hands are shaky as I type this and my heart is rejoicing, even in my sadness and uncertainty of speaking tonight. I must speak and share that He has been in all of this. Even in our time of _______, He is with us and will never leave us.
Oh, Thank you, Sweet and Gentle Savior, for You have shown me that I must do this little part tonight because YOU are going to make it more than LITTLE; it will be awesome because it is going to come from You and not me. You and my moma are going to be right there beside me, in that cloud of witnesses), and I am going to give You all the praise and glory for enabling me to witness for You. Let me witness Your power and yet Your gentle strength in holding us up in our most trying times. Oh, Lord, I thank you for your word in Hebr. 10 that tells me "not to cast away my confidence because YOU are going to reward it and for me to perserve because when I have done the will of God,I will receive what You have promised." You are the giver of promises, Lord, and I know that You are already fulfilling the promise of Your drawing close to me because I have drawn closer to You through this experience. Thank You, Lord, for your faithful servant, Beth Moore,using this particular scripture in her book. Your Word is true and it proves faithful!! Thank You, Jesus, that you have once again turned my mourning into joy. I love you and I praise you for how You will use my testimony as a witness to someone who may not even know You tonight. Sweet Lord, You have whispered to me that ,"Jeanne, this is what your moma would want you to do as she always was so proud that her children could speak for the Lord. You spoke at her funeral and the Lord was with you, now this is going to be a piece of cake." Lord, just let the tears wait until I am finished sharing about You and Your Gentle Spirit. I ask these things of You in the Mighty Name of Jesus, Your precious Son, AMEN and AMEN!!!
If you have an extra minute today,please pray that I will be confident and bold in my witness for Him tonight. I cannot let Him down after ALL He has done for me...He has been so faithful to me. "He's Been Faithful to Me" is a song sung by Demaarus Carbaugh and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir; it will definitely be played/sung at my funeral as I believe it is one of my life songs.
Thank you for your prayers and thank you for being my "outlet" for my weariness turned to reassurance this morning. God is Gooooood All the Time and All the time God is Gooooood!!!!!
Jeanne,NC
Wendy, I pray for God's anointing as you minister to our sisters in TX. Looking forward to meeting more of them here.
Karen, welcome back! We missed you.
Sheila who posted last night: GIG means Girlfriends in God.
Lori, I had the same thing happen to a Discussion Question that I was posting at my Koinonia class. An hour and a half of paragraphs typed with verses and other research - gone!( My 9 year old had to lay hands on me because I was upset.) If you're using Mozilla Firefox as a browser, one of my classmates recommended an add on called, and I'm not kidding, "Lazarus." It brings back lost text from the dead. I installed it last night and I was able to post my 2nd Discussion without any fear. I hope that helps because it's majorly frustrating when the enemy steals what you've typed up.
Morgen, thank you for the update on Jim. Father, You love Jim and You know the plans You have for him. He is Your son and he desires to do Your will. Please give him the grace to go through this path You laid out for him. Please help him glorify You, help him be a testament to Your miracle, grace and love. Most of all, Father, please give Jim and his family the peace that passes understanding. May they lay their troubles, sorrows, as well as their joys at Your feet. Thy will be done, Father. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
I never noticed the identical passages either. I had to turn the page back to make sure I didn't travel back in time because I was sure I already highlighted those exact passages. Maybe God wants us to really get it that He's our shield and He will protect those who trust in Him, His way is perfect and His promises are true. Sometimes I need reminding of this fact.
My DH comes back in a few hours so I better get off the computer and start with lunch so he'll have something good when he comes in.
Love you GIGs! Enjoy your weekend.
Ooops, I forgot, Jennifer Renee, welcome back! I love the poem you shared.
Hi, Kate. Yep, understand busy. We're glad you can join us. God will honor your faithfulness in reading His word.
Michelle, I swear my grays did not start sprouting until the college application process started. :) Maybe it's our crown of achievement for raising them up to adulthood. :)
TTFN!
Jeanne, we were typing at the same time. I'm sorry about your Aunt Betty. (((HUGS))) And I know how you feel about Mother's Day. I'm with you sister. There is sadness there but remember they are in heaven, rejoicing with our Savior. Let's take comfort in that when we miss our moms. I pray that God will speak through you tonight. That the listeners will hear, see and feel the power of the Holy Spirit. May He minister to them and speak the truths that He wants them to learn. May He use you for his glory. Go get 'em, Jeanne!
Sisters,
Maybe some day we will get to hear David sing this song of praise to our Lord. Here are some words describing our Lord in verses 2-3:
Rock-I think of a boulder that
weighs a ton and no one can
move it, our Lord is
immoveable and stays the same.
Fortress-a fort with high walls,
no one can get inside,just
You and me Lord, sitting
and talking over my
problems/enemies stay out.
Deliverer-from my sins and troubles
Shield-protects me from the Devil's
firey darts, hurtful words
High Tower-He sees all
Refuge-a place of safety
In verse 31, David says all the Lord's promises prove true. That's a promise within a promise.
He was my shield of protection yesterday when that storm swept through Arkansas. I knew He would be because He has always been.
Four years ago high winds ripped up trees around my house, collapsed
some out buildings and an old barn.God's hand kept our house safe. We were in Rhode Island at the time, visiting our daughter's family. The big pine tree in our yard is dead now (top torn off), but it is a memorial of the "mighty hand of God."
May Jesus be our fortress, high tower, refuge, shield, and deliverer today.
Have a great weekend with your families, all.
Linda from Ark.
Here's from another David, Pastor David Jeremiah, that is. This ties in to our readings today, and for that matter what we read yesterday and what we'll read in the future.
The Predictable: God's Love
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:5
Our God is full of surprises. He tailor-makes every miracle; He individually designs every life. Every day is different, and His every deliverance is unique. Yet He is never capricious, changeable, erratic, or unstable. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amid the complexity of His manifold ways, there is the solid foundation of His love.
We can always count on that. The Bible longs for us to understand "what is the width and length and depth and height--to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge" (Ephesians 3:18-19). According to the apostle John, the more we understand the shoreless ocean of God's love, the less we'll fear the choppy waters of life, for "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18).
If you feel your life is unpredictable and unstable right now, focus on His steady, unchanging love. Thank Him for "the love of God flooding through our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us" (Romans 5:5, Phillips). Resting in the predictable and perfect security of God's love will bring revival to our souls.
[God's love] is shed abroad, as sweet ointment, perfuming the soul, as rain watering it and making it fruitful.
Matthew Henry
Hi dear GIGs,
Oh yes, life does get in the way sometimes and I too have been reading but not commenting for a few days.
After reading both passages I noticed the similarities and I read Courson's commentaries this morning on both of them. He talks about what you all have already posted about the recount of history in 2 Samuel and about the foreshadowing of Christ in the Psalm. It as so packed full of wonderful things and I wish I had the time to just type and type all that I wrote in my journal. Only so much time in the day you know :)
Jeanne I will say a special prayer for you today. God will be with you, He is already making Himself known and guiding you each step of the way. Morgen, prayers going up for Jim and his family. Welcome back everyone that has been gone, I have not been on here as much either.
Wendy, hope your time in TX is wonderful!
It is storming all day here in TN, a good day to do nothing!
Blessings,
Brandee
Hi Girlfriends In God - GIGs!
It has been awhile since I posted but I have followed along everyday with the reading, the VLOG and your posts. I am also reading the next books in the series The Last Jihad and learning via computer the history of Israel. Fascinating to say the least. A big welcome to all our new people. You'all come back, you hear? LOL And prayers of concern for troubles, sickness and loss, and praise for answered prayers.
On Psalm 18 - there is so, so much. But I have chosen to comment on "At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire".Jon Courson comments - "The God we serve is a terrible God in the King James sense of the word. That is, He is majestic, awesome and more powerful than we can possibly imagine. Sometimes I think we subconsciously think of God as being so busy with other people or situations that we get lost in the shuffle, or so old from being around since eternity past that He's no longer able to handle the situation we face. I encourage you to reconsider your God as you read this psalm."
I needed to be reminded of this! I found a site with photos of the volcano in Iceland recently that reminded me that our God is an awesome God. http://www.boston.com/big picture/2010/04/more_from_eyjafjallajokull.html The first photo - no words to describe the power of our God. I hope you have a chance to view it. Two weeks ago here, we had an early morning thunderstorm with extremely strong winds and over 1,000 lightning strikes in one hour. Such immense power! I am reminded of the Bible verse - "What is man that thou art mindful of him?" BUT, HE WAS, IS AND EVER SHALL BE! PTL
In closing, this weekend is just "ordinary" days. I encourage everyone - myself included - to take some time in "ordinary" days to go make some extraordinary memories. On my walk I am going to take a really close look at the wildflowers in bloom - here they have the sandy soil and lack of rain and too much rain to contend with but they bloom and flourish anyway! They are so beautiful and unique.
Dusting and cleaning will wait - go make some memories!
With love, Dixie in Florida
God's way is always perfect. All the Lords Promises prove true.To the faithful you show yourself faithful.
These all stood out for me today.
Ps 18:1- I Love you Lord, You are my strength. I used that in my testimony.
Hey, everyone! Thanks for sharing all the wonderful nuggets you found today. I'm feeling very quiet today after a full day in the garden and refinishing Luke's new big boy bed, and nothing new is standing out to me. It's good to see the missing return - we missed you! - and to see new 'faces' post, too. :-)
Michelle and Jeanne, am praying for Jim and for you this week.
Have a restful Sabbath, everyone!
Well, GIG, He did it!!! Thanks to the Lord and to the personal prayers of Brandee, Grace&Peace, and Amy in regards to my being strong in the Lord for my speaking tonight. He had certainly prepared my heart because I got through with only a little choking up; He was given the glory tonight for all of His Faithfulness to me!!! My Nugget was carried out today from His Word, esp. Ps. 18:35.
Karen, I didn't recognize all the f.shadowing of Jesus until you pointed it out. Thank you. I love that so many of us see various scripture for our nuggets, share it with others, and then we all learn. ;)
Lori, I loved your prayer; I copied down parts-->for bending down,( what a precious vision) for our trials, for the beauty, for peace (how I needed to repeat your words). I love Ps. 90:1; I overlooked that when it was back in our reading on pg.324.
Grace & Peace, what a precious prayer for Jim. And Morgen, I will be remembering Jim in prayer also. Yes,it is strange how fast our emotions are allowed to change; but as you said we know that God is in control and that fact is Good News.
Linda from Ark.: I copied down your description of Our Lord; I loved that...thank you!!!!
Kate in VA, bless you; I think we all become overwhelmed at some point and time because I believe that God is trying to teach us something in our busyness and our sense of being overwhelmed. He may just want your presence with Him...just being still and knowing that He is God. Believe me, I have gone from lows to highs while doing this study, but in those lows, I just asked for His Presence until He has healed me of whatever was wrong in my spirit; then in the highs, I have been so excited that I just wish He would come and get me right then.... Whatever we feel, He already knows it, and He will work it out for His Glory. So hang in there, gal!!!
Tonight in going back over verses that I had underlined, I could not get v.50 out of my head, so I spent time in comm. by Matthew Henry,David Gusik, and John Brown. What a blessing I recieved from the understanding that God gave me. If you all get a chance, read Matt.Henry's comm. and go to Gal.3:16, Hosea 3:5,and
Ps. 2:6 for understanding.
Dixie, I love your wisdom, and I have made some memories today...everlasting ones. ;)
The Lord rewarded me for doing right...v.20,
Jeanne, NC
Jeanne, thank you for the update. I am glad your speaking went well and that the LORD was with you!
Morgen, praying for Jim.
Today's reading was enlightening, uplifting, awe-inspiring and confusing all at the same time... :)
My first "why?" was why was taking a census such a great sin, and who "incited" David to do it; God or Satan?
First, the Hebrew word incite (cuwth (sooth)) means to incite, allure (or lure), to instigate or entice. It is derived from the word Shayith meaning thorn bushes.
I found this very revealing; don't we feel this way often when we are incited; like a thorn is sticking into us, paining us, reminding us of our "wrong", pushing us to take action without thought?
But back to my question about the sin of the census; both David Guzik and Matthew Henry agree that it was a great sin and that Satan caused it, but God allowed it.
"God is not the author of sin; he tempts no man:" (Henry)
James 1:13 - When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
And why was the census a sin? Here no-one knows, though there are lots of theories. To sum them all up, it is likely the census was motivated by a selfish desire to "know the number" of people that "belonged to David." However, the Israelites did not belong to David, they belonged to God. And God knows the motivation of our hearts (Luke 16:15b - but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight) and He acts in accordance with what is in our hearts. This is why what may seem like a little sin may have significant consequences; because of the motivation of the heart which is seen and known by God.
The angel of death proceeding to the threshing floor of Araunah the Jesubite was also awe-inspiring. As Dixie said yesterday, the God we serve is a mighty and "terrifying" God and we should not forget that. As the first verse of the Lord's prayer says; "Hallowed be thy name". 1 Chronicles 21:16 - 16 David looked up and saw the angel of the LORD standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand extended over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown. This makes my heart quicken when I read this!
Lastly, 1 chronicles 2:9-10
9 But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. 10 He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.'
The footnote says Solomon means "peace". This passage is also about Christ, the Prince of Peace, especially verse 10.
My to do: never forget that God is El Shaddai - Almighty GOD. He is to be feared, and worthy of praise. I should not put him in a box that is only gentle, kind, and compassionate, though He is all those things. But I need to remember His righteousness.
Have a wonderful sabbath!
Karen, Basel
Good Sabbath Morning Friends,
Karen what a blessing to get up and read your post this morning. I wrote in my Bible, "why was taking a census a sin?" I did not understand and my thoughts were to look it up just as you have already done :) I did go to Courson's commentary and it also talked about the sin of pride.
Courson writes:
When David took on Golaith, he depended totally on God. Here, he's planning to rely on the strength of his army. The Lord created us to be dependent upon Him, but in numbering the people, David was attempting to assess his own success apart from the Lord.
He goes on to talk about our own pride and he poses the question: How can you know if you've succumbed to the sin of pride? The answer is quite simple: pride always manifests itself in prayerlessness.
The other passages that caught my eye for today's reading were 2 Samuel 24:24 and 1 Chronicles 21:24. Both talk about David insisting on paying for the threshing floor because "he will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!" Araunah was going to give it to him but David would not take it. It would have not been a true sacrifice on David's part if he had not sacrificed something for it first. When we sacrifice to God it will cost us something, but the greater gain is always worth it! He does repay and give back more than we can imagine. I am sure we all have things we have sacrificed for God and He has poured back blessings in return far more than we can imagine.
Jeanne, PTL for last night. I thought about you off and on all afternoon and evening and would lift up a prayer on your behalf.
You all have a blessed day. It is raining and stormy here in TN again. Lots of places are flooded. We are usually ok since we live on the top of a ridge, we really don't flood, but it is wet, wet. I am going to see how the weather is doing in about two hours to see about church. It has really been back this weekend and I don't want to be driving in it if it is going to be like that again. We will see, I really don't like missing church but I don't want Will out in bad weather.
Blessings,
Brandee
Peaceful Sabbath….
Lots of great information today :
A Place of Sacrifice
We learn that David desired to take a census of all in Israel, perhaps to know it’s present “strength” — a sign that he was drifting away from total confidence in the Lord’s ability to protect his people. After all, in the past they had been victorious over enemies without knowing such information.
In desperation…….(2 Samuel 24:18)That day Gad came to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”
He finally settles on purchasing the threshing floor of Arunah the Jebusite for 50 shekels of silver (2 Samuel 24:20-25). The altar built and the sacrifices offered, the plague was stopped.
This place has a interesting story….
2 Chronicles 3:1, Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah*, which had been pointed out to his father David, on the spot which David had selected, the threshing floor on Ornan the Jubusite.
*Footnote on 3:1...Mount Moriah: the height in the land of Mariah (Gn 22:2). This is the only place in the Bible where the temple mount is identified with the site where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac.
Gn 22:2, Then God said: “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you.
This very same area was the place where Abraham was to offer up the life of his only son, Isaac, as a solemn sacrifice.
The place of Abraham’s offering of his son — the place where sacrifice was offered to spare further death from plague in Israel — would later on be the place which would see the greatest offering ever made — that of Jesus, our Lord and Savior — as he offered up his own body as a total and complete sacrifice for sin and for sinners!
What we see here is the “interlocking of Providence, ” as our Great God directs events here on Earth.
Restful Sabbath
Rhonda
Missed you all yesterday...I enjoyed catching up this morning!
The day is just not complete unless I get to spend time with God and then with you!
After all the mistakes and poor choices and difficult consequences that David goes through, he does not lose heart, praises the Lord, wants his son to follow God with all his heart and soul, to have wisdom and understanding, to also not lose heart, and to honor
God. Let me always remember that God is good all the time, let his praises be on my lips and my faith grow stronger as I come to know his character better all the time and pass that love on to my children.
I am so thankful that David poured out his love in words.
Have a wonderful day of worship and rest!
Michelle in VA---just outside of Washington DC :)
Thanks Karen for your "satan or God" and your "census" answers. I was on your same exact wavelength in today's reading, and you answered my questions. (Since it's been census time here in the USA...is it still considered a sin to do so?) I also noticed the future reference to Christ in 1 Chron 22:10.
Rhonda - wow...thank you too for your words. I learned alot from you..I love when the Bible is woven together like that. Wonderful!
How would I like to be the one who had to pick one of those 3 punishments for my people? Horrible! The harsh consequences caused David to enter back into a right relationship with the Lord.
Brandee - your comment about Pride reveals itself in Prayerlessness...Ouch! That one struck a chord with me....very true and something I will file as a good reminder.
Happy Sunday GIG!
I will Praise Him in everything!
Morgen
Hello all! I have not posted in awhile, but really have felt led to tell you all how grateful I am for this study.
It has been four of the most wonderful months! I love the fellowship, prayers for each other, diverse range of ages and stages, the studying...
I really felt for the ones who are having a hard time keeping up--I think Karla and Jodie were a few. I tell my kids it is like "my homework!" It really does take a commitment, and I am very anal about reading every post, so when I do get behind, I work hard to catch up. But then I remember that the most important thing is getting the Bible reading in and spending time with Him--both things I am doing more now than ever before.
When my kids were very small, I know this would have been so much harder, but God doesn't give us more than we can handle. Now all I do is run from ballfield to ballfield (and love it!) to cheer my kids on, and hardly gulp for air, but it is all good...
This study has permeated my life--every day things are now viewed so differently. The words at Mass come to life, the lyrics at a recent Casting Crowns concert were so alive, I am able to talk to my kids about these great things we learn...and words like sacrifice, redeemer, refuge, convicted (to name a few) all have so much meaning now.
A few months ago I was having severe pains in my joints, and was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (I am only 41!), but I just keep going (thanks to good medicines too) --I found that I was so wrapped up in this study that life just goes on and other people have much more serious problems than that! God led me here just in time to keep my mind focused on other great things.
I will try to post more often so this isn't so long next time, but you all are so wonderful to share so much, and there are so many of us "out here" who sooooo appreciate it! Love to you all on this gorgeous May day! (We actually celebrate May Day here yesterday--I just love doing all the little baskets!)
Jennifer--Iowa
Good morning, GIG's,
It happened to me, and it is definitely Satan. A half hour post, poof, gone. Well, here goes Take Two,
Morgen - Praying for Jim, his family and his health care team
Karen - Thank you for again giving us useful background information, especially that the census may have been a sin of pride. I think it probably was.
Dixie -- good to hear from you!
Jeanne -- Praise the Lord indeed for being with you yesterday as you prepared, then delivered, your remarks. Thanks also for sharing that you have your ups and downs, but those ups are so uplifting to us all through your awesome prayers.
Lori-- thanks for your perspective and encouraging words yesterday regarding the behavior problem students who leave me so weary by Friday.
My nuggets today are a synthesis of our readings about David, many of your comments this week, and my experiences this week at school and at home. The teacher with whom I work and I will think we are making progress with our students when, WHAM, meltdowns -- one student melts into forlorn tears, the other into verbal and physical anger. Today the Lord opened my eyes (yes, Wendy, he is "investigating my life") to show me that I do the same thing. I fill myself up in the morning with His living water and head out into my day with a smile on my face, encouraging words on my lips, and praise in my heart. But sometimes as a result of circumstances, weariness, not eating right (I hear you, Brandee), or the evil one whispering ungodly thoughts in my ear, I melt down into tears, or uncharitable words, or sinful thoughts. But other days, I remember to pray off and on during the day for His help ("Thou will keep thee in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.") and then I am able to sort of step back and watch myself, think before I speak, consider consequences, struggle to free myself of sinful thoughts and motives, and be the woman God wants me to be. For example, yesterday my daughter's future in-laws did something hurtful and inconsiderate, and the stressed out Bride was ready to "go to war". The Lord helped me to say the right words to her to prevent her from sending a warring email. (FYI, the estrangements in my family of origin happened largely as a result of warring, shared-with-everyone emails, so I am particularly sensitive to this type of sin.) All Glory to Him that He was there to guide me, to make me turn away from my own hurt feelings on my daughter's behalf, and to help her calm down. As I read about the introduction of Solomon into our story today, I stopped and prayed that my daughter, five weeks away from her "reign" as the queen of her own household, would have a peaceful marriage.
My to do (again)-- Continually praise Him for his faithfulness and ask for His Spirit to be with me at all times to guide me, instruct me, warn me, encourage me, rebuke me, correct me, and forgive me. Lord, help me to be the woman you want me to be. I have sooooooo far to go, and I need your help always. In His name, Amen.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Hi everyone, I'm loving this group,GIGs! (Thanks for the explanation,Grace and Peace)
God is Awesome, Merciful and Kind!God grant me strength to depend on You totally always.
1Chron 22; I love David's attitude. David was indeed a man after God's Heart. God had said his son Solomon was the one to build God's House instead of David. David showed his love for God and put in a lot of effort to prepare materials for the House of God.( verse 22)
May we rest and bask in God's Amazing Love and may we also show our love to God each and everyday.
God bless you all.
Aahh, the Sabbath, Hello ~
A blessing to pop in and get some more understanding! Thank you sisters for digging deep and coming up with treasures to make it clearer!
As I read about the victory allowed by God, I thought how often times Satan will come in and appeal to our pride, (I Chron. 21:2 "take a census of all the people of Israel - and bring me a report so I may know how many there are." [eligible soldiers]
It was because of God that a victory came about; not because of the number of men. Pride comes in and we forget to give God the glory for any success that comes our way. We so have to remember that when we're feeling secure, Satan is quick to pounce! He's always ready to place a thought in our mind. When it is the true Holy Spirit working in us, we are motivated by pure love.
When we serve others from the heart, many times we have to seek God to do it. It's our daily association with our circle of friends, and anticipating the opportunities of offering ourselves to meet their needs, and at the same time being able to thank the Lord for this privilege. This hits home to me, as most of my adult life, I've had elderly members in my extended family that I have had to serve. It's not always from the heart, but, out of obligation. This is an area God is working on with me! "Be imitators of God...live a life of love, just as Christ loves us and gave himself up for us" (Eph. 5:1 & 2).
Satan will try and tell me, 'it's not fair that you are the one that gets stuck with all of this!' ha-ha, but, I need to remember to confuse him, by praising the LORD, as this is an opportunity God has placed on my plate to show love. Ya know most of them are not saved, so I believe God has me right where He desires, it's all part of His glorious plan! A lot of transformation in me as I have to cling to Him to serve in love, and possibly some lives getting saved at the same time.
Moving along now, another verse really popped out at me!!! Check out 1 Chron. 22:13! Earlier this year we read about how to be successful, (Josh. 1: 8 & 9). I made a book mark for my Bible, so I would not lose focus on what God's idea of success is. Today we read again about success: For you will be successful if you-
*carefully obey the decrees and regulations
*be strong
*be courageous
*do not be afraid or lose heart!
Today, lovely ladies lets "seek Him -with all of our heart!" (verse 19)
The last sentence in today's reading blew me away! Just to sit here and think that His sanctuary, His Holy Temple, today is right inside each and everyone of us! We have the Ark and the holy vessels of God in us! HIS WORD! Does that just blow you away? His Word, alive and active in us! Living. God is living in us! He is with us wherever we go. Wherever!Always...yesterday...today...and tomorrow, too! Praise you Father, for pursuing each of us, and adapting each one of us! We are Yours. We are not our own. Fill us today with You. Fill every spot of us, so it can't be helped that you will flow right out for others' to come to know You, too! May we walk with you today, may we abide in your love all day long.
So, so in love with His Word right now! Feeling His love wrapped around me, as I sit here and share His goodness with you all. I'm so thankful that He brought me to this study with you guys. Ya'll continue to bless me. Thank you Lord! Let's worship and adore Him today with all of our heart!
Hugs, Lori
okay gals...just really do have to add a bit more! Brandee, what you said about pride = prayerlessness. Now, that is something to think about! Truly, think about!!! Then, I just got through writing about success, and success comes from OBEYING the Lord. I remembered reading about obeying and making wise choices. It basically boils down to 3 things:
*Praying daily
*Reading the Bible daily -so that we know His Will for us.
*Having a wise counsel, a couple of mature Christians that will listen and keep us pointed to God's Truth, when we slip.
Why would we not be obedient?
lazy
rebellious
selfish with our time
God desires us to be obedient to Him. Success=obedience
Kate & Michelle, nothing is harder than the end of the year! I remember! It's exhausting... - nothing easy about it. What an opportunity that I missed out on, back in my teaching days...to cling to God during these last months! Tell Him how hard it is. Ask Him to arrange times during the day, that you can seek His presence. It might have to be during the red lights driving to work. Maybe, when the kids are at recess, allow your mind to focus back on Him. Many teachers are going to be stressed out, all around you. What a time to show love to your very own "circle of friends" that God has placed on your plate. Only God can help you do the impossible. You do not have to do this alone. He is with you all day long at school. His power inside of you, ready to take over your weakness. His strength will overcome your weariness. As other teachers go about their day stressed, You can reach deep inside, clinging to Him, and walk in love, along side them! aahh, Glory to God in the highest!
Also, (I tell myself this every single morning!!!) remember what sweet Beth said: when we take care of our Temple, we are much more in the mood to worship and praise him! This has made a HUGE impact on my life. The enemy, of course wants us tired! Turning to food for enjoyment, which just later makes us not feel our best.
Ladies, victory, today, tomorrow, too! smile! God in us, alive. Seeking Him, we can do this! We can love those, around us, when our nature, would truly want us to ring their neck! haha!!! (thinking about someone myself, that could drive me crazy, if it were not for me keeping my feet at God's heels!)
oh, so much I want to say to some of you individually, but, just known, ya'll are loved! Wendy, thinking and praying for you sweet sister! Knowing that a lot of awe is gripping those ladies this weekend as they witness God's power coming out of you!
Michelle, once again we were typing at the same time! I LOVE what the Spirit is doing in you! You have MUCH influence in your family. Your love can draw everyone together. What a role-model, too for your daughter!
She's a lucky gal!
Jennifer Renee, loved your poem by the way, and oh, how I would love to take you clothes-shopping! I don't get to do that much with my teenage son's! I long for a DIL to love on! You and I could just shop till our socks fell off! smile!
Jeanne, I just knew too that those in attendance would see the "majestic display of God's power" within you coming out! He gets the glory!
Girlfriends, I do believe that is my new favorite verse, as of late!
Luke 9:43! Daily, God is gripping me in awe over what He can do! He is busy all of the time! Taking care of each one of us. Just like I said yesterday, it's like we each are His only child! I can't comprehend how BIG He is. I'm just in awe! Completely, in awe!
"See" ya tomorrow! Hugs, Lori
Lori, you hit on exactly what I was thinking.
My other pause for today was that David bought the threshing floor for the burnt offering- he needed to pay the price for his sin. Jesus paid the price for us- it cost us nothing, it cost Him all.
Have a wonderful Sabbath GIGs.
Gaylene
Friends I wanted to get back on here and just ask you to pray for TN. Our area is being hit really hard by flooding and we have had deaths due to all the rain. My husband and I found some leaks this morning at our house. We just have had to spend thousands on other home repairs the past 6 months. I know God is in control, I am leaning on Him, but this is another huge repair we are facing right now.
Thank you for taking the time to say a prayer for our family and the financial things we have ahead of us and for all the people here in TN. I have not been able to get a hold of my parents and they are in one of the hardest hit areas.
Thanks and love,
Brandee
Brandee, May He hold you fast in this anxious time, and bring you peace. Know that you are secure in His arms. Praying for all in TN, for you, and your parents.
Lori, my twin, reading your beautiful, wonderful, supportive posts today brought me to very happy tears. I always try to follow your advice, Sister, and I sure do want to meet you this side of heaven. HUGS, HUGS, HUGS across the miles!
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
I did get to talk to my parents and they are fine PTL! Here are some pictures of middle TN:
http://photos.newschannel5.com/thumbnails.php?album=316
Thank you for praying. I am still waiting to see if my son's school will be closed tomorrow. I do have a praise in all this, a man at our church has a roofing company and we are going to contact him about our roof. I know we will get a fair price. God always provides, I thank Him for provision today.
Sweet Michelle, in New England ~ I had to smile as I read your recent post! Now, if I could just follow my own advice, too! Smile!!! My Spirit is willing, but, aahhhh, my sinful flesh! I’m a work in progress! A high-maintenance child, that’s me! But, I will say, the more my thoughts are occupied with Christ and His Word, the more I realize His presence. Peace. Remember I’m on round two with dear Wendy!
Brandee, may your family be safe and sound, tucked underneath the shadow of His wings – fully protected! Praying for you all. Wonder how dear Jan is doing.
Morgen, praying for Jim, too. Grace & Peace I believe I will check into that program you talked about; sister - you are my computer whiz! The mouse has not been cooperating! I hope you are finding ways to bless Mr. G&P, now that he’s back at home. I’m sure he’s tired. Our pastor spoke last week from Eph. Oh, it was so good, as he was talking about love==sacrifice. Loving is what makes us look different from the non-believer’s.
I see the Holy Spirit working in us, as I’m sure ya’ll do to - as we get more intimate with God, and as we read His word everyday.
Okay, ya’ll let’s do some sacrificing and show some love!
Until tomorrow! Lori
Lori, I'm here. We are getting hit really hard. For those of you that don't know, we have a canoe rental business and a Christian campground. This morning my husband was able to get to the bathhouse, and the water was up to the top of the steps... there were 2 families living there on the river and he tried again... to get them to leave. They neither one would. They finally had to call Civil Defense to use boats to get them out...the water was so high we could no longer get down there to help them. They said that the water was up to the roof of our bathhouse. One lady watched one camper float from the edge of the river where it had been placed, across the road, across our field and down the creek that was about 1/2 mile wide. She watched another camper float down the river. All this was before the rain had stopped. We also have an outdoor chapel, we hope it is still there. Just this week I had filled the freezer with bags of ice and had spent over $300 for snacks for the camp store. The river will continue to rise for about 8 hours after the rain stops...which was about 3 hours ago. I hope God is gracious to us and the chapel and the roof of the bathhouse are still there. We have been here for 34 yrs and this is by far the highest it has ever been. Some are saying it is the 500 yr flood...how they can tell, I don't know. Thankfully, our home is up on a hill, so we will not be flooded.
Please pray for those families who have lost homes, and loved ones. Most all of middle TN schools have
closed for tomorrow. There will be so many roads and bridges that have been damaged. Oh, it is raining again.5:45 PM They just said on the TV we had received 11 inches of rain...and it is still raining.
Just pray for TN. We really need it.
Jan TN
I'm blown away as I caught up on everyone's post the last two days! Thanks, Ladies, your wisdom, love and support are great! I"m gonna print off all the comments so I can really study all the great information and advise that was shared.
Thanks again and looking forward to another wonderful week in the Word!
Bethany
Karla here, thank you Jennifer-Iowa for your support! It has become my ritual to read my daily devotion as I am drying my hair or "fixing my face" each morning, as that is the only quiet time I have now! I too, have 2 boys in baseball, and a 2 year old daughter who loves to be my constant companion, as well as a full time accountant, wife, and type 1 diabetic. But God does not give us more than we can handle, and I am thankful for each post that hits on this blog.
I try to read the posts every day, and sometimes I don't get to them for a few days.
Thank you all for your encouragement--it is a honor and a blessing to be called a Sister of Christ with you!
Karla, WV
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