Recall:
They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for people are slaves to whatever masters them. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment that was passed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb,
“The dog turns back to its own vomit,”
and,
“The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud.”
2 Peter 2:19-22
How sick is your heart, says the Lord GOD, that you did all these things, the deeds of a brazen whore... Ezekiel 16:30
Reflect:
Really graphic language, each in their own way, in these passages: Ezekiel speaking of whoring and Peter bringing up being a slave and quoting the Hebrew scripture of a dog returning to its vomit. But man, as I look at my life and the habits that often keep me from becoming everything I want to become and that can keep me from a relationship with God and others, those images really describe what I feel like sometimes.
Respond:
God, I will focus my attention on you. Every morning I will turn to you. Because I can't do it myself. The horrible truth about myself is that I am..no I am not...but my behavior often reflects that of the whore, the slave, the dog returning to its own vomit. I want to change.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Reading: 2 Peter 2:17-22, John 8:21-30, Job 5, Ezekiel 16
Recall:
They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for people are slaves to whatever masters them. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment that was passed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb,
“The dog turns back to its own vomit,”
and,
“The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud.”
2 Peter 2:19-22
How sick is your heart, says the Lord GOD, that you did all these things, the deeds of a brazen whore... Ezekiel 16:30
Reflect:
Really graphic language, each in their own way, in these passages: Ezekiel speaking of whoring and Peter bringing up being a slave and quoting the Hebrew scripture of a dog returning to its vomit. But man, as I look at my life and the habits that often keep me from becoming everything I want to become and that can keep me from a relationship with God and others, those images really describe what I feel like sometimes.
Respond:
God, I will focus my attention on you. Every morning I will turn to you. Because I can't do it myself. The horrible truth about myself is that I am..no I am not...but my behavior often reflects that of the whore, the slave, the dog returning to its own vomit. I want to change.
They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for people are slaves to whatever masters them. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment that was passed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb,
“The dog turns back to its own vomit,”
and,
“The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud.”
2 Peter 2:19-22
How sick is your heart, says the Lord GOD, that you did all these things, the deeds of a brazen whore... Ezekiel 16:30
Reflect:
Really graphic language, each in their own way, in these passages: Ezekiel speaking of whoring and Peter bringing up being a slave and quoting the Hebrew scripture of a dog returning to its vomit. But man, as I look at my life and the habits that often keep me from becoming everything I want to become and that can keep me from a relationship with God and others, those images really describe what I feel like sometimes.
Respond:
God, I will focus my attention on you. Every morning I will turn to you. Because I can't do it myself. The horrible truth about myself is that I am..no I am not...but my behavior often reflects that of the whore, the slave, the dog returning to its own vomit. I want to change.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
John 8:12-20, 2 Peter 2:10-16, Job 4, Ezekiel 13-15
Recall:
John 8:12 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."
Job 4:17 "Can mortals be righteous before God? Can human beings be pure before their Maker?
Ezekiel 13:2 "Mortal, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are prophesying; say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: 'Hear the word of the Lord!'"
Ezekiel 13:14 "I will break down the wall that you have smeared with whitewash, and bring it to the ground, so that its foundations will be laid bare; when it falls, you shall perish within it and you shall know that I am the Lord."
Reflect:
"He who follows me will never walk in darkness" -what a promise - can I count on it? What is darkness? So many questions I want answered before I follow, but they are never completely answered until I follow!
I wonder how many "prophesy out of their own imagination"? Heck, I wonder how often I do that?
I love the prophecy against the whitewashed wall. It's gonna fall!! Not because, I believe, God knocks it down, but because it just can't stand.
Inner transformation is what is needed--following Jesus, living in the light. It's all about consistency in the relationship.
Respond:
Yeah, Job's friend was a jerk, but in this instance he was right. I can't be righteous before God. There is nothing I can do outside of making myself available.
God, I will follow. I will--I have to--follow the Jesus way. I want my wall to be solid from the inside out. I want to be changed--I want those around me to be changed--I want the world to change.
John 8:12 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."
Job 4:17 "Can mortals be righteous before God? Can human beings be pure before their Maker?
Ezekiel 13:2 "Mortal, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are prophesying; say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: 'Hear the word of the Lord!'"
Ezekiel 13:14 "I will break down the wall that you have smeared with whitewash, and bring it to the ground, so that its foundations will be laid bare; when it falls, you shall perish within it and you shall know that I am the Lord."
Reflect:
"He who follows me will never walk in darkness" -what a promise - can I count on it? What is darkness? So many questions I want answered before I follow, but they are never completely answered until I follow!
I wonder how many "prophesy out of their own imagination"? Heck, I wonder how often I do that?
I love the prophecy against the whitewashed wall. It's gonna fall!! Not because, I believe, God knocks it down, but because it just can't stand.
Inner transformation is what is needed--following Jesus, living in the light. It's all about consistency in the relationship.
Respond:
Yeah, Job's friend was a jerk, but in this instance he was right. I can't be righteous before God. There is nothing I can do outside of making myself available.
God, I will follow. I will--I have to--follow the Jesus way. I want my wall to be solid from the inside out. I want to be changed--I want those around me to be changed--I want the world to change.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
John 8:1-11, 2 Peter 2:1-9, Job 3, Ezekiel 9-12
Recall
...then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to help the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgement
Job 3:23 "Why is light given to one who cannot see the way, whom God has fenced in?
Reflect:
Wow. Not exactly inspirational reading. Here is the author of 2 Peter affirming ideas about a retributive, punishing God
The verse from Job is heart-breakingly poignant. I don't know that I have ever noticed it before. It is a cry of utter despair...Why is light even given to one whom God has fenced in? I wonder how many people sitting in our pew on Sunday morning feel that way? How can we respond to people in this situation?
Respond:
God, thank you for the reminders that you are not who I make you out to be. You are mysterious. You are God. You are you. Give me a heart for the hurting, for the ones so full of despair that they may even wonder why I'm talking to them.
...then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to help the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgement
Job 3:23 "Why is light given to one who cannot see the way, whom God has fenced in?
Reflect:
Wow. Not exactly inspirational reading. Here is the author of 2 Peter affirming ideas about a retributive, punishing God
The verse from Job is heart-breakingly poignant. I don't know that I have ever noticed it before. It is a cry of utter despair...Why is light even given to one whom God has fenced in? I wonder how many people sitting in our pew on Sunday morning feel that way? How can we respond to people in this situation?
Respond:
God, thank you for the reminders that you are not who I make you out to be. You are mysterious. You are God. You are you. Give me a heart for the hurting, for the ones so full of despair that they may even wonder why I'm talking to them.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
John 7:45-53, 2 Peter 1:12-21, Job 2, Ezekiel 4-8
Recall:
Job 2:10 Shall we receive the good at the hand of God and not the bad?
Ezekiel 5:9 And because of all of your abominations, I will do to you what I have never yet done, and the like of which I will never do again.
Ezekiel 8:6 He said to me "Mortal, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel are committing here, to drive me from my sanctuary?"
Reflect:
Two different books, two different views of why God messes with people. Ezekiel we're ok with--the fact that God punishes us and causes bad things to happen to us when we screw up fits into a (probably the) common view of God. But then there is Job who had horrible things happen...because he was being good?! Because God wanted to show him off like a horse in a race?! So, it would seem you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
Now, neither of these are a true reflection of God as I know God. But man, are they a good reminder not to put God in a box.
The claim that God has been chased out of God's sanctuary is one that struck a nerve. How often have we done that?
Respond:
You are not completely understandable, God, but to whom else do we turn? What other choice is there but to take the "good" and the "bad"? In everything God, I want to turn to you, cling to you, move farther into you.
Job 2:10 Shall we receive the good at the hand of God and not the bad?
Ezekiel 5:9 And because of all of your abominations, I will do to you what I have never yet done, and the like of which I will never do again.
Ezekiel 8:6 He said to me "Mortal, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel are committing here, to drive me from my sanctuary?"
Reflect:
Two different books, two different views of why God messes with people. Ezekiel we're ok with--the fact that God punishes us and causes bad things to happen to us when we screw up fits into a (probably the) common view of God. But then there is Job who had horrible things happen...because he was being good?! Because God wanted to show him off like a horse in a race?! So, it would seem you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
Now, neither of these are a true reflection of God as I know God. But man, are they a good reminder not to put God in a box.
The claim that God has been chased out of God's sanctuary is one that struck a nerve. How often have we done that?
Respond:
You are not completely understandable, God, but to whom else do we turn? What other choice is there but to take the "good" and the "bad"? In everything God, I want to turn to you, cling to you, move farther into you.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
John 7:37-44, 2 Peter 1:1-11, Job 1, Ezekiel 1-3
Recall:
2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape the corruption that is in the world...
Job 1:21 He (Job) said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
Ezekiel 3:1-3 He said to me, O mortal, eat what is offered to you; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. He said to me, Mortal, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it. Then I ate it; and in my mouth it was sweet as honey.
Reflect
2 Peter is a keeper. I'll have to memorize that. I have been given everything that I need for life and godliness--everything I need--thank you God!
Job was worshipping, Job was praising, even as everything he had was being destroyed. How can that be?! He seemed to understand--naked--he was naked when he came in and he would be naked when he left. God is eternal. That is what mattered.
I like the opening scene from Ezekiel--again, an example of Gd giving what is necessary, the sweet scroll, the word in turn to give to others.
Respond
Gracious God, you have given me all that I need. I have it. Forgive me for not using it. Forgive me for neglecting it. I know my life and the life of those I have encountered have been the worse for that neglect.
I will focus on drawing on what you have given me God. I will open my mouth and taste, the sweetness of your word and wisdom.
2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape the corruption that is in the world...
Job 1:21 He (Job) said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
Ezekiel 3:1-3 He said to me, O mortal, eat what is offered to you; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. He said to me, Mortal, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it. Then I ate it; and in my mouth it was sweet as honey.
Reflect
2 Peter is a keeper. I'll have to memorize that. I have been given everything that I need for life and godliness--everything I need--thank you God!
Job was worshipping, Job was praising, even as everything he had was being destroyed. How can that be?! He seemed to understand--naked--he was naked when he came in and he would be naked when he left. God is eternal. That is what mattered.
I like the opening scene from Ezekiel--again, an example of Gd giving what is necessary, the sweet scroll, the word in turn to give to others.
Respond
Gracious God, you have given me all that I need. I have it. Forgive me for not using it. Forgive me for neglecting it. I know my life and the life of those I have encountered have been the worse for that neglect.
I will focus on drawing on what you have given me God. I will open my mouth and taste, the sweetness of your word and wisdom.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Reading: John 1:29-34, James 1:19-27, Ecclesiastes 2:17-26, Jeremiah 5-6
Reading: John 1:29-34, James 1:19-27, Ecclesiastes 2:17-26, Jeremiah 5-6
Recall:
Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves...Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:21-22, 27
For scoundrels are found among my people;
they take over the goods of others.
Like fowlers they set a trap;
they catch human beings.
Like a cage full of birds,
their houses are full of treachery;
therefore they have become great and rich,
they have grown fat and sleek.
They know no limits in deeds of wickedness;
they do not judge with justice
the cause of the orphan, to make it prosper,
and they do not defend the rights of the needy.
Shall I not punish them for these things? says the LORD,
and shall I not bring retribution
on a nation such as this? Jeremiah 5:26-29
Reflect:
Well, obviously a doing theme here, talking about what a person of faith should do and should not do. Get rid of the wickedness, receive God's word, then act on it. DO it. I'm always interested in the being/doing tension of scripture. You cannot accept one and not the other. It is made clear in these passages that we are to be about supporting and comforting the marginalized.
Respond:
God, I want my "religion" to be pure and undefiled before you. Care of the poor, the orphans, the widows isn't glamorous work. It doesn't grow churches. But it is what you have called us to do.
Recall:
Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves...Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:21-22, 27
For scoundrels are found among my people;
they take over the goods of others.
Like fowlers they set a trap;
they catch human beings.
Like a cage full of birds,
their houses are full of treachery;
therefore they have become great and rich,
they have grown fat and sleek.
They know no limits in deeds of wickedness;
they do not judge with justice
the cause of the orphan, to make it prosper,
and they do not defend the rights of the needy.
Shall I not punish them for these things? says the LORD,
and shall I not bring retribution
on a nation such as this? Jeremiah 5:26-29
Reflect:
Well, obviously a doing theme here, talking about what a person of faith should do and should not do. Get rid of the wickedness, receive God's word, then act on it. DO it. I'm always interested in the being/doing tension of scripture. You cannot accept one and not the other. It is made clear in these passages that we are to be about supporting and comforting the marginalized.
Respond:
God, I want my "religion" to be pure and undefiled before you. Care of the poor, the orphans, the widows isn't glamorous work. It doesn't grow churches. But it is what you have called us to do.
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