Studying

Ezekiel is a tough one for me!

I've been in Ezekiel 23 this week.  Yet another really tough chapter to digest.  It sounded horrible when I first read it, and I had a tough time with it.  I listen to it on audio book on the way to work throughout the week, so it was again particularly difficult to read (go read it yourself and you'll see that certain verses stand out as being rather explicit).

It's about two sisters and their depravity.  I kept listening to it, and finally I found the bit I was looking for.  

4 The older was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They were mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

It's a parable!  While that made it slightly easier to read, it was still pretty difficult.  Take this verse for example: 

48 “So I will put an end to lewdness in the land, that all women may take warning and not imitate you.

Had I posted only verse 48 without verse 4, people would read it and think that God warning women, when really, he is warning Samaria, Jerusalem, and the surrounding cities.  This is the importance of context.  One verse may not be enough to understand what is going on, and you need to delve deeper.  God didn't make it easy to figure out, he wants us to search for him, to maintain that relationship.  We are encouraged to constantly study the Bible.  When I was in school, my studying consisted of reading the chapter and highlighting a few important formulas or words.  That's not really studying.  Studying is to go beyond the text.  To look at other things related to it.  To test applications of the theories.  To practice.

We're starting up a new Bible study series at our church and I'm very excited about it.  We all need to find what works best for each of us to study God's word.  There's so much depth there and I'm always finding new things to take and put into practice.

Thurs Devo: Venomous Snakes

After mourning Aaron’s death and a victorious deliverance from the Canaanites in Arad (Numbers 21:1-3), the Israelites continued their travels. However, they still haven't learned their lesson about complaining.

Numbers 21:4-7  ⁴ They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; ⁵ they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”

⁶ Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. ⁷ The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

The Israelites seem to always be focusing on the negative and not the positive. They didn’t have bread but they did have manna. They were traveling in the wilderness desert that didn’t have much water, but God always provided water for them in miraculous ways. And, I’m guessing God had been protecting them from all the wild desert animals, up until this point! 

Like the Israelites, we don’t see all the ways God provides for us and protects us. Plus, we tend to focus on what we think we lack. We even get upset with God and/or others when things don’t go our way. However, when tragedy strikes, we often do go to God, because we know He’s the only one that can do the impossible.

The Israelites did acknowledge their sin and did turn to God. You and I can do the same. And the next time you and I want to complain about a hardship or get upset with God over it, let’s stop and count 5 other blessings God has provided. As hard as our situation might be, it could always be worse (like venomous snakes)!

Alice

Tues Devo: Finding Forgiveness, Part 2

Colossians 3:12-15 “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (NASB)

Hello,

(Yes, part 2….from 2 weeks ago!)

Last time on this topic, I mentioned the ingredients it takes to execute forgiveness (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness & patience). The area I wanted to focus on for today is our need to not discriminate. We are called to forgive each other – “whoever has a complaint against anyone”. If we want to find it in ourselves to forgive, we cannot pre-select who we are willing to forgive – we just need to be ready to execute the forgiveness. Why? Because that is the model set by Jesus – who forgave us. We were not discriminately selected, but rather His forgiveness is open to all who seek it. So ought our forgiveness be that easy to access.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

You are loved & valued!

Do you have a go to Bible verse in times when you are just down?  I know that I do! 

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

This is always my reminder that the Lord made me in his image, He wants me to follow Him, live for Him and serve Him.  Even at times that I may be down or feel like I can’t do right by others, God has a purpose for me.  He has big plans for me and values me.  He has since I was in my mother’s womb. 

The same is true for you.  He knew you before you were formed and has counted the hairs on your head.  He knows you, loves you and has a plan and purpose for you.  If you are feeling down, know that you are loved and valued!