"What is it?" This is the definition of the word "manna". You know, that stuff that God sent the Israelites when they were complaining in the desert. How cool is that? For forty years God provides these disobedient malcontents with food each morning.
I would like to think that I am not like the Israelites, that I always obey and have a good attitude about things in my life. However, I would be quite the liar if I dared to come close to that statement. So many times I catch myself thinking a negative thought or going my own rebellious way. How easy it is to ask "why me, why now?" as I pound my fist or wipe a tear.
Oh, may my focus be on God's goodness. He is More-Than-Faithful and I am so undeserving. But God, in His mercy saved me! Because of His great love for me, I am a child of the King. I have the right to stand before His throne. Nothing will take me from His hand. I'm covered in the righteousness of Christ my LORD.
I have no reason for complaining, no reason for discontent. Oh, that I will walk humbly in obedience and be thankful for His timely provision. May I tenaciously run the race and pass the test, to see the benefit of God's goodness in the life of my dear family.
Deuteronomy 8:16 "In the wilderness he fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end."
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Hard Things
I've been reading a lot of the Gospels recently and this morning was struck by the thought of the job done by Joseph of Aramathea. He was the one who went to Pilot and asked to have the body of Jesus. Pilot was surprised that Jesus was dead so soon, but upon confirmation of that fact, was quick to give Joseph the okay to take Jesus down from the cross.
I'm not sure what got me thinking of the common threads of this part of the story, but there are things that I have not heard mentioned before that need some thought. Imagine, if you will, Joseph of Arimathea. Mark says that he goes to Pilot and asks for Jesus because of his devotion to God.
Joseph loved God. He believed Jesus. When he saw how Jesus was treated his heart probably broke. Now God had a job for him to do. It wasn't the most pleasant of jobs, not one that would get many volunteers, but this was something Joseph could do to show his devotion to God. What better thing to do than to take care of God's Son?
Now, imagine the logistics. Jesus is up on a rough wooden cross, barely clothed. Blood, sweat and tears mingled together on His face and blood, sweat, skin and wood fragments mingled together on His back. Did flies gather on the One who created them? What would Joseph do about those huge nails? I think if he was the one to physically take Jesus off of the cross, that he did it as gingerly as possible even though Jesus was dead. I can see Joseph looking away out of respect as he covered Christ's body and carefully picked Jesus up to take Him to the tomb.
What if the soldiers took Jesus down? Were they careful about the removal of the nails from Christ's hands and feet? Did they jerk him around, still being in the disrespectful mood from earlier in the day? Or perhaps they were a bit more kind, circumstances having changed something in their minds. Maybe they were thinking to themselves, "What if Jesus really was the Son of God?" "What if we were wrong to do this?" How little they understood that there was nothing they could have done to prevent this event from happening, that it had been recorded through the ages since the first sin in the Garden...that this happened even for them, should they understand and believe.
I think Joseph had a hard job, but it was one that allowed him to honor the God he loved and served. So many times God calls us to do hard things. Do we look at the circumstances and say "No thanks, God, this is going to be too messy." or "I think I'll pass on this one, surely I'll be ok if I just keep quiet and don't bother anyone. I know God has someone else who can do this in my place." Oh, how we would like to tuck tail and run the other way when hard things are presented.
How pleased is God when we step up to the plate and say "Okay God, this looks to be a rough one, but with You at my side and as my Shield and Defense, I'll move forward!" or "I have no idea what comes next. God, You are in control and I need you to guide me!" I think this is what He longs to hear from us. He is just waiting in the wings with His sleeves rolled up waiting to go through the muck right by our side. I think He is eagerly sitting on the edge of His throne waiting for our joy upon reading His promises and comfort from His Word. When we do find the gems He has for us, I think there might be a great chorus of cheering and "Amen" from those who have gone before when they see that our Father is happy we are finding the treasure in His Word. Treasure they now see face to Face.
Isn't that a great thought?
**Additional note** (July 31, 2010) Luke records that Joseph of Arimathea was a counselor who had not consented to the counsel and deed of them. Luke 23:50-51. So, what do you suppose his life was like after the resurrection. Surely the other counselors heard about his activities. Did they ridicule him? Call him crazy? Black list him? How many of his co-workers changed their minds about the Messiah after talking with him in the days and months to come?
What courage he had to do hard things!
I'm not sure what got me thinking of the common threads of this part of the story, but there are things that I have not heard mentioned before that need some thought. Imagine, if you will, Joseph of Arimathea. Mark says that he goes to Pilot and asks for Jesus because of his devotion to God.
Joseph loved God. He believed Jesus. When he saw how Jesus was treated his heart probably broke. Now God had a job for him to do. It wasn't the most pleasant of jobs, not one that would get many volunteers, but this was something Joseph could do to show his devotion to God. What better thing to do than to take care of God's Son?
Now, imagine the logistics. Jesus is up on a rough wooden cross, barely clothed. Blood, sweat and tears mingled together on His face and blood, sweat, skin and wood fragments mingled together on His back. Did flies gather on the One who created them? What would Joseph do about those huge nails? I think if he was the one to physically take Jesus off of the cross, that he did it as gingerly as possible even though Jesus was dead. I can see Joseph looking away out of respect as he covered Christ's body and carefully picked Jesus up to take Him to the tomb.
What if the soldiers took Jesus down? Were they careful about the removal of the nails from Christ's hands and feet? Did they jerk him around, still being in the disrespectful mood from earlier in the day? Or perhaps they were a bit more kind, circumstances having changed something in their minds. Maybe they were thinking to themselves, "What if Jesus really was the Son of God?" "What if we were wrong to do this?" How little they understood that there was nothing they could have done to prevent this event from happening, that it had been recorded through the ages since the first sin in the Garden...that this happened even for them, should they understand and believe.
I think Joseph had a hard job, but it was one that allowed him to honor the God he loved and served. So many times God calls us to do hard things. Do we look at the circumstances and say "No thanks, God, this is going to be too messy." or "I think I'll pass on this one, surely I'll be ok if I just keep quiet and don't bother anyone. I know God has someone else who can do this in my place." Oh, how we would like to tuck tail and run the other way when hard things are presented.
How pleased is God when we step up to the plate and say "Okay God, this looks to be a rough one, but with You at my side and as my Shield and Defense, I'll move forward!" or "I have no idea what comes next. God, You are in control and I need you to guide me!" I think this is what He longs to hear from us. He is just waiting in the wings with His sleeves rolled up waiting to go through the muck right by our side. I think He is eagerly sitting on the edge of His throne waiting for our joy upon reading His promises and comfort from His Word. When we do find the gems He has for us, I think there might be a great chorus of cheering and "Amen" from those who have gone before when they see that our Father is happy we are finding the treasure in His Word. Treasure they now see face to Face.
Isn't that a great thought?
**Additional note** (July 31, 2010) Luke records that Joseph of Arimathea was a counselor who had not consented to the counsel and deed of them. Luke 23:50-51. So, what do you suppose his life was like after the resurrection. Surely the other counselors heard about his activities. Did they ridicule him? Call him crazy? Black list him? How many of his co-workers changed their minds about the Messiah after talking with him in the days and months to come?
What courage he had to do hard things!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Thankful on Friday
Seeing how I am still not asleep in the early morning hours of Friday, I will consider this a post for Thankful Thursdays...
I am thankful for:
I am thankful for:
- God's Word
- a friend whose life and walk with Jesus is true encouragement
- a bed to lay in once I fall asleep
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Random Thoughts
I am going through a box of various papers - bits and bobs of information that at one time struck my fancy to write down for safe keeping. Here are pieces of things I'd like to think about in the future, if not now:
A home is a place to DO things, not store things. It is not meant to house your possessions, but your life! ~ Celia Barbour
The wind is like a gift that visioned her life with joy. ~ Me
I always watch the dawn when from over the sea a rosey mist forms above the dreamy shadow of night.
~ Miss A
The cook said get in the sausage and ask a dandelion to boil you. ~ Mr E
Verses to memorize:
I hate proportions so much, I hate decimals much worse. I hate ratios just as bad and dividing anything makes me mad! ~ written by Miss A June 4, 2010 (can you tell that math is her FAVORITE subject??)
A home is a place to DO things, not store things. It is not meant to house your possessions, but your life! ~ Celia Barbour
The wind is like a gift that visioned her life with joy. ~ Me
I always watch the dawn when from over the sea a rosey mist forms above the dreamy shadow of night.
~ Miss A
The cook said get in the sausage and ask a dandelion to boil you. ~ Mr E
Verses to memorize:
- Rom 12:1-2
- 1 Thess 5:23-24
- Rom 13:12-14
- Heb 3:13
- Heb 4:16
- James 1:13-15
- Psalms 119:9
- Philippians 2:13-16
- 2 Timothy 2:22-26
- 1 Peter 3:13-17
- 1 Samuel 12:24
I hate proportions so much, I hate decimals much worse. I hate ratios just as bad and dividing anything makes me mad! ~ written by Miss A June 4, 2010 (can you tell that math is her FAVORITE subject??)
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Beauty In My Day
What will I add to my day to give balance and beauty??
A trip to a good "picking" beach!
Not that we need any more beach stuff, but it is so bright and sunny that it would be a shame to stay inside and not go enjoy the shore.
A trip to a good "picking" beach!
Not that we need any more beach stuff, but it is so bright and sunny that it would be a shame to stay inside and not go enjoy the shore.
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