Tag Archives: Christianity

Daily Bible Study

November 20, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I am back to a routine. It is not the same as my old routine, but I think it will work out well. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

Christmas Cactus

Ezekiel 40:28-41:26

     In today’s passage Ezekiel further describes the rebuilt Temple he sees in his vision. He gives detailed measurements and descriptions of the furnishings and decorations. I am sure there is deep spiritual significance to all of this for some, but none that the Spirit is revealing to me today.

Two Women Talking After Worship

James 4:1-17

     James diagnoses what causes quarrels and fights within the Church (and among humans in general). He tells us that it results from our evil desires. He does not stop there. He goes on to define evil desires. He tells us that evil desires are desires for things purely for our own pleasure. We are jealous of what others have and we cannot get it, so we fight to take it away from them (sound familiar?). We do not have what we want because we do not ask God for it. This is starting to sound like “prosperity gospel”. But then James hits us with this, even when we do ask for it, we ask only for that which gives us pleasure, rather than for that which will make us better servants of God. I know that I am guilty of this. Even worse (or at least, just as bad), I ask for things to further serve God, then, all to often, I use them for my pleasure.
     In either case, doing this is an indication that we are valuing this world more than we are valuing God, which is a form of idolatry. Our loyalty is divided between God and the world and God desires our undivided loyalty. If we humble ourselves before God and resist the temptation from the devil, the devil, and temptation, will flee from us. We should have sorrow and grief for the sins we have committed where we have indulged our own pleasures rather than helping those in need. I need to recognize how often I have failed to do that which the Spirit has convicted me that I ought to do. Failing to do that which you know that you ought to do is just as much of a sin as doing that which you know that you ought not do.
     Finally, there are two other points James makes in this passage. We are not to slander one another. We should not attempt to judge another person’s motives. We should obey God’s instructions as best we understand them, not try to find reasons why they do not apply to us. We should focus on doing God’s will as the Spirit has guided us rather than on whether someone else is doing wrong. The other point he brings up is that we should remember that all of our plans are conditional on the will of God. We should not boast about what we are going to do because perhaps God has other plans for us. We should do today the things that we know are God’s will, not put them off until tomorrow. Additionally, we should understand that as noble as our plans may be, God may have other plans for us that will preclude us completing those plans.

Fellowship After Worship Service

Psalm 118:19-29

     When the gates which lead to the presence of the Lord are opened I will enter in. We as humans have little understanding of God’s plans. Human builders rejected as unfit the stone which God selected as the cornerstone of the building. The results of God’s plans are wonderful. This day has come about because the Lord has made His plans and caused them to come to pass despite human thoughts and actions. Let us call on the Lord to bring us salvation and success. The Lord is my God and I will praise Him. He brings me victory. I trust Him because I know that He is faithful.

Three Women Practicing for Thanksgiving Service

Proverbs 28:3-5

     When the poor oppress the poor it is even more destructive than when the rich do so. Those who reject the law empower the wicked. The way to fight the wicked is to strengthen the law. The law is not something that changes from person to person. Evil people do not understand justice, let alone strive for it.

Daily Bible Study

November 19, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I am back to a routine. It is not the same as my old routine, but I think it will work out well. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

Burning Leaves

Ezekiel 39-40:27

     Ezekiel continues his prophecy against Gog. I remember that in the 1970s people pointed out that this passage sounded a lot like a nuclear war and its aftermath. At the time, I could not imagine how the then current geopolitics and distribution of nuclear weapons could possibly fit into this prophecy. This is no longer true. I am not sure what this prophecy is foretelling, but I could imagine the Muslim nations of the Middle East, including Iran and Turkey this time, massing their armies to attack Israel. And with the current world situation and the threat of a nuclear Iran, I could see Israel responding with nuclear weapons, something I could not imagine in the 1970s. The next part of the passage seems to imply that Israel will rebuild the Temple after this mighty battle, which also makes sense to me. After such an overwhelming defeat of the armies of the Muslim nations of the Middle East there would no longer be any reason for Israel to make the attempt at pretending that they can maintain the goodwill of Muslims by not destroying the Dome of the Rock.
     All of that being said, I cannot reconcile that reading of the prophecy (or any other that I have so far come up with) with my understanding of the New Testament explanation of how God is now working in the world since the death and resurrection of Jesus. I am sure that in time God will make this clear to me (although perhaps not in this life). I do know that the important thing to remember is that God will act through history to bring glory to His name.

Burning Leaves

James 2:18-3:18

     James continues with his exposition of how faith without works is meaningless. He shows us how the great examples of faith in the Old Testament acted on that faith. He asks us how we will demonstrate our faith without action. He uses this to bring home the idea that true faith results in action and that we can tell what people truly believe by what they do (and they can tell what we believe by what we do).
     He then goes on to tell us that not many of us should become teachers in the Church because teachers will be judged more strictly. I have always seen this interpreted that God holds those who are teachers in the Church to a higher standard, but reading it today I do not think that is what James is saying. I think he is talking about the standard those around us hold us to. I think that fits it into the context better. Immediately after telling us that those who are teachers in the Church will be held to a higher standard he goes on to discuss the importance of controlling our tongues. He gives us examples of how small things can have large consequences. In the same way, some things we say that we give little thought to can have a big impact. We need to think carefully before we say things. All too often we allow both positive and negative things to come out of our mouths. We take the attitude that it is not a big deal. But James tells us that it is a big deal. He tells us that you cannot draw fresh water from a salty spring. The foul language I use and the unjust criticism of others I speak negates the positive things that I say (perhaps not all the time, but more than I would wish).
     We are to live our lives doing good works with humility. If we do this, we will demonstrate that we have God’s wisdom in our lives. Wisdom is pure. It is peace-loving and gentle at all times, willing to yield to others. It does not show favoritism and is always sincere. I pray to God that He will help me to demonstrate these characteristics in the future.

On the Shore of the Lake

Psalm 118:1-18

     The Lord is indeed good. When we pray to the Lord, He will answer us. The Lord is for me so I will have no fear. What can people do against me when the Lord stands as my defense? I will turn to the Lord for my defense and rescue rather than rely on humans, no matter who they might be. Even if the entire world comes against me, they will have no effect as the Lord is my defender. It is by the power of the Lord that I have victory. I live to tell of what the Lord has done.

Across the Lake

Proverbs 28:2

     The government of a nation is only as sound as the morals of the people. If you think that the government is unjust and flawed, look to your own morals.

Daily Bible Study

November 18, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I am back to a routine. It is not the same as my old routine, but I think it will work out well. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

Rock By the Lake

Ezekiel 37-38:23

     Ezekiel prophesied that in the future God would speak His message to the dried and scattered bones that were the people of Israel. By the power of His word, He would put flesh and skin on those bones. Then He would breathe life into them again. When He had done this He would gather His children together and give them the land of Israel once more. When this happened all would know that He is Lord.
     Ezekiel then had a different but related prophecy. He prophesied that the divided people would be united once more into one people. Ezekiel prophesied that God would gather the Northern Tribes and the Tribes that composed the Kingdom of Judah into one nation once more. People speak of the “Ten Lost Tribes of Israel”, but there are no lost tribes. When the Kingdom of Judah went into exile, they joined their relatives already in exile from the Kingdom of Israel. The important point of this prophecy is that God was going to bring the people of Israel back as a united people and give them the land of Israel once more. When God does this, He will give them the land until the end of time.
     Ezekiel concludes today’s section with a prophecy against Gog of the land of Magog, who rules over Meshech and Tubal. Ezekiel tells us that this leader will gather his armies and that other peoples will ally with him. He will attack Israel in an attempt to plunder the land. Ezekiel prophesied that despite gathering a mighty army from many nations, they would suffer a defeat that was disastrous for their armies. This certainly sounds like the various Arab wars against the modern state of Israel. It could also indicate an even more encompassing war yet to come. The important point about this prophecy is that it tells us that Israel will survive these assaults, not because the people of Israel are deserving, but because God has chosen to honor His name by defending them.

Fall Day at Green Lane Park

James 1:19-2:17

     James starts this section by giving us sage advice. We are to be quick to listen and slow to speak. I struggle with this, I want to give people my opinion on issues. In addition to being slow to speak, we are to be slow to anger because human anger does not produce the righteousness (or justice) that God desires. We must get rid of the filth and evil in our lives, a task easier said than done. Above all we must accept the word that God has put within us with humility. It is not, however, enough to listen, we must act on what we hear. We must take the actions that God instructs us to. One of those actions is to control our tongues. That goes in part with the being slow to speak from above, but it is more than that. We must strive to control what sorts of things we say so that all of our words may honor God. James tells us what true religion is. It is caring for widows and orphans, the truly powerless. There is one more bit to it. We are to keep the world from corrupting us.
     James further tells us that we should not favor some people over others. In particular, we should not favor the rich over the poor. This is a challenge that every church body will struggle with. You need money to operate. Money to pay the bills. Money to pay for maintenance on the buildings where you meet. So, it is tempting to favor those who have money to give to help cover those bills, but it is wrong. We are to have faith in God that He will provide the funds necessary to pay those bills. If we are serving God’s will, He will provide the resources to continue.
     Today’s passage concludes with the key element of the book of James. Faith that does not result in action is no faith at all. If we truly believe something, we will act accordingly. If we claim to care for the poor, but do nothing for them it is clear that we do not really care. My father told a story that illustrated this. I am sure he got the story from someone else, but I do not know where it came from.

A tightrope walker set up a rope across Niagara Falls. As a crowd gathered he walked across the Falls to the crowds amazement. Next, he walked across the rope blindfolded. Then he crossed the Falls pushing a wheelbarrow. Finally, he turned to the crowd and said, “Now I am going to push the wheelbarrow across the Falls with someone in it. Do you believe that I can do it?”
Many in the crowd replied, “Yes, we believe that you can do it.”
The tightrope walker pointed to one of those who said “Yes” and told him, “OK, then hop in.”

My father concluded this story by saying, “Faith is getting into the wheelbarrow.” Are we willing to get into that wheelbarrow? Do we really believe that God can get us safely to the other side?

Amphitheater By the Lake

Psalm 117:1-2

     Praise the Lord for His unfailing love endures forever.

Decked Out for Fall

Proverbs 28:1

     The wicked are easily frightened because they know what they would do if they had the upper hand. The godly on the other hand do not fear, for the same reason.

Daily Bible Study

November 17, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I am back to a routine. It is not the same as my old routine, but I think it will work out well. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

God’s Paint-By-Numbers Earth and Sky #277

Ezekiel 35-36:38

     Ezekiel continued his prophesies against Israel’s neighbors by prophesying against Edom. He condemned them for the joy they took in the downfall of the people of Israel and for Edom’s plans to take control of the land of Israel with no concern for the Lord. They defied the Lord in their boasts. Ezekiel told them that the whole earth would rejoice when they are made desolate. This sounds like a warning to modern day Israel’s neighbors. God may have brought judgment on the people of Israel, but those who contributed to their suffering and rejoiced in it will suffer a similar fate. God will cause the entire earth to know that He is God.
     Ezekiel further prophesied that the Lord has heard the nations who thought to claim the land of Israel for their own and have mocked the children of Israel. God’s anger burned against those peoples and nations. God promises that He will pay those nations back for their mockery of the children of Israel. Ezekiel prophesied that before they were scattered into exile the people of Israel defiled it with their sins so God punished them and scattered them throughout the earth. People mocked the name of the Lord because of the suffering of Israel, claiming that God could not even protect His own people. Because of this mockery, God brought the people of Israel back to their land. He did this, not because the Jews deserved it, but in order to show His power to all the world. The enemies of Israel should consider this prophecy when they make their plans (but they won’t) because God has declared Israel to be His people and has stated that He gave them control of the land we call Palestine.
     In addition, Ezekiel prophesied that God would cleanse the people of Israel so that they would no longer worship idols. God was going to change their stony, stubborn hearts for hearts that were tender and responsive to His love. He is going to put His Spirit in their hearts so that they follow His decrees and obey His regulations. I read this as saying that the day is coming when a large fraction of the remaining Jews will come to worship Christ. God is going to bless the people of Israel, the descendants of Jacob, not because they deserve it, but in order to bring honor to His name. I look at the land of Israel today comparing it to what it looked like a century and a half ago and wonder how anybody can read this prophecy and not see the hand of God in what has happened in the Middle East.

God’s Paint-By-Number Earth and Water #301

James 1:1-18

     Today I begin reading the book of James, one of my favorites. He starts out by saying that he is writing to the twelve tribes scattered outside of the land of Israel. There are two possible interpretations of this. One is that he was writing to those Jews who had become believers in Christ and thus represent at least a partial fulfillment of the prophecy from Ezekiel that I just finished reading. The other interpretation is that all believers are now the children of Israel (which also represents a fulfillment of the Ezekiel prophecy).
     But that has nothing to do with why I love the book of James. It is the meat of the book that I love because I think it gives many important lessons for us. The first thing James tells us is that we should be joyful to face trials of all kinds. Trials test our faith and when our faith is tested we develop endurance. And when endurance is fully developed we will become perfect and complete, needing nothing. He goes on to tell us that if any of us needs wisdom (and who of us does not need more wisdom) they should ask God. If we ask God for wisdom, He will grant it to us. But we must ask with faith that God will deliver that wisdom to us. Not only must we have faith that God will deliver the wisdom we asked for, we must have faith that the answer God gives us is wisdom. That second part can be the difficult part for me. All too often, I ask God for wisdom, then when I receive a message from Him, I question if that is really the wise thing to do. If we do not trust the answers that God gives us, we cannot expect God to continue giving us answers.
     IF we are poor we should glory in all the good things that God has given us. On the other hand, if God has blessed us with wealth, we should focus on how little we have of what is truly important. When we face trials, let us persevere, recognizing that as we withstand these trials we will receive a reward from God. We should not think that the temptations we face come from God as a sort of test. God is not tempted by evil and cannot use evil to tempt anyone. Temptation is the product of our own desires which entice us. We undertake sinful actions when we allow our own desires to take control over our thoughts and become more important to us than the welfare of those around us. We should remember that we cannot obtain any truly good thing by sinful/evil actions because all good things come from God. This means that any desire we satisfy by sinful actions will be but a counterfeit of something of real good and value. On the other hand if we remain faithful servants of God we will obtain true riches beyond imagining.

God’s Paint-By-Number Earth, Sky and Water #298

Psalm 116:1-19

     I will join with the psalmist in saying that I love the Lord. The Lord has heard my prayer for mercy and I will pray to Him as long as I have breath. I strive to walk in the Lord’s presence all of my days. I have nothing of value to offer the Lord in return for what He has done for me, yet what I have I will offer to Him. How can I not, when all that I have of any worth comes from Him in the first place? I will praise the Lord for saving me. I will serve the Lord with all that I am. The Lord cares deeply for those on this earth, even when they defy Him. Let all of my being praise the Lord.

House By the Lake

Proverbs 27:23-27

     Take care of what you have because wealth is fleeting and what might seem unimportant today may be all you have to support yourself tomorrow. If you manage your resources carefully they will be sufficient to meet your needs.

Daily Bible Study

November 16, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I am back to a routine. It is not the same as my old routine, but I think it will work out well. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

God’s Paint-By-Numbers Earth Sky and Water #274

Ezekiel 33-34:31

     Ezekiel returns to the watchman metaphor he used early in the book. I believe that God has made us watchmen (and women) to those around us. When God reveals to us that He is about to bring judgment against those around us for their wicked acts, we must warn them of the coming consequences of their actions. If we do not, God will hold us accountable for their suffering. If one the other hand, we do warn them of God’s impending judgment and they choose to not change their ways, then the results are on their own heads. Then he gives us a message to deliver. If the wicked will turn from their wickedness, they will be saved. On the other hand, if the righteous turn from righteousness to wickedness, they will die. If we deliver God’s message to people who they should do what is just and right, perhaps enough people will turn from their sin that God will withhold His judgment against this nation.
     Ezekiel goes on to tell the people that their numbers will not make them powerful in the face of their sins. He accuses them of being murderers, idolaters and adulterers. As such, why do they think that the land should be theirs? They measure those who speak God’s word as entertainers. They have no intention of following the instructions from God spoken by those speakers. They are too busy seeking after money and fulfilling their lustful desires. Does this not sound like many around us? Even how we sometimes judge a congregation?
“Oh, that pastor is a very good speaker, I enjoy hearing him preach.”
“Their worship service is so exciting, I always get a thrill from the singing.”
     How often do we talk about how convicted a service made us feel? About how a speaker’s sermon led us to change our ways?
     Then Ezekiel goes on and talks about how the shepherds set over God’s flock have allowed His sheep to be scattered and have kept the best parts for themselves. Ezekiel condemns them for failing to seek out God’s scattered sheep. Ezekiel tells us that God will send a shepherd who will seek out His scattered flocks, gather them and protect them from wild animals. Then he goes on to condemn the sheep for not being satisfied with having good pasture. No, the rich sheep destroy the pastures where the weak and needy sheep graze just because they can. The strong and well-fed sheep drove God’s sick and hungry sheep away and did not allow them to feed. How often are we like that? Fed and satisfied, driving away those who come seeking comfort and understanding because they aren’t “good enough”? God has sent His Shepherd to gather the sick and hungry to Him. His Shepherd will care for them, punishing the “healthy” sheep who attempt to drive them away from Him. I pray that I am not one who drives those seeking God’s healing away.

Deep Creek Riparian Zone

Hebrews 13:1-25

     The author of Hebrews sums up what he has written. He tells us that we should love our fellow believers as if we were siblings. We are to show hospitality to strangers because by doing so some have entertained God’s messengers without realizing it. We should remember those who are suffering as if we were suffering as they are. We should honor marriage and remain faithful to our wedding vows, for God will surely judge those who are immoral and adulterous.
     We are to be satisfied with what we have and not become worshipers of money. God will provide for our needs. He will not fail us, nor will He abandon us. Jesus does not change, so we should not become enamored of new and novel interpretations of what it means to be His followers. Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God and never forget to share with those in need. Doing good at every opportunity that God brings our way. All too often I have missed the opportunities to do good that God has given me.

House By the Lake

Psalm 115:1-18

     I will take no credit for any good that anyone may have experienced at my hands. What little good I have done in my life pales in comparison to the wonders that God has done for me. I will ever praise the Lord for He is my helper and my shield. Others may choose to worship material things, but I will worship and praise the eternal God.

Canoes on the Shore

Proverbs 27:21-22

     One tests the purity of silver or gold with fire, but the purity of people is tested by good times. It is more difficult to remain faithful to God in times of plenty than in times of trial. Fools will refuse to give up their foolishness even when it brings hard times upon them.

Daily Bible Study

November 15, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I am back to a routine. It is not the same as my old routine, but I think it will work out well. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

Singing of the Don Called Po

Ezekiel 31-32:32

     Ezekiel continues his prophecy against Egypt. But it is more than just a prophecy against Egypt. It is a prophecy against any nation or ruler that comes to believe that they are powerful in their own right and need not fear God. Ezekiel speaks of how Egypt will be brought low from great heights just as Assyria was. He discusses other nations that thought they were great and powerful, only to be brought low in God’s time for their sins. This is a lesson for us, we should never put our trust in worldly powers as sooner or later they will fail us. We must trust in God alone. We must also remember that God only raises up nations for as long as they serve His purpose in this world. When a nation stops furthering God’s purposes in this world He will bring it down.

God’s Paint-By-Numbers Green Lane #272

Hebrews 12:14-29

     The writer tells us to work at living in peace with everyone and to work at being holy. It is not enough that we give a half-hearted effort at these things, we are to work at them. In addition, we should attempt to look after each other, so that all may receive the grace of God. We should strive to prevent bitterness from taking root, both in ourselves and in our brothers and sisters in the Lord. We must remember that we have come before God not in a time of fear and judgment but in a time of grace, with Jesus to mediate between us and the Almighty God. We should listen to the Spirit in this time of “shaking”. We must remember that the Kingdom which we are citizens of is unshakable and will not be shaken by any of the troubles of this world.

Earth & Sky #276

Psalm 113-114:8

     Let us praise the Lord, there is no one to whom He can be compared. He chooses to honor the poor and needy among the princes and wealthy. The only glory and honor that we should seek should be that given out by God. Let us rely on Him and praise Him so that we might receive happiness from Him.
     The Lord will make obstacles get out of our way as we work at serving His will. As long as we are executing God’s will on this earth nothing will stand in our way and we will find whatever resources we need to complete the task near to hand.

Water #279

Proverbs 27:18-20

     If we look out for the interests of those to whom we answer, we will be rewarded. It is possible to tell what is in a person’s heart by the way they live their life. No matter how much we have, it will not be enough to satisfy all of our wants.

Daily Bible Study

November 14, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I am back to a routine. It is not the same as my old routine, but I think it will work out well. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

Magrat Watches Falling Leaves

Ezekiel 29-30:26

     Ezekiel follows up his prophecy against Tyre with a prophecy against Egypt. He prophesies that Nebuchadnezzar will destroy Egypt’s armies and those of its allies. Nebuchadnezzar will plunder the land of Egypt and leave the land desolate. This prophecy aligns with a similar one from Jeremiah. Ezekiel tells Egypt that this destruction will happen partly because of Egypt’s pride, the belief of the Egyptians that they had manufactured the wealth they obtained from the Nile River. Ezekiel also says that the destruction of Egypt would happen because they promised support to Jerusalem that they did not deliver. For these two sins, God was bringing destruction on Egypt. Is this prophecy something the United States should take a warning from? Do we believe that we are the source of our wealth? Do we believe that our government is the source of our wealth? Or, do we recognize that God is the source of our wealth?

Deep Creek Lake Riparian Zone

Hebrews 11:32-12:13

     The writer continues his litany of Old Testament saints who lived by faith, recounting how they performed many powerful deeds through the power of the Spirit and by holding fast to faith in the promises of God. Yet, he also recounts how some suffered for their faith, unwilling to turn from serving God even though their fellow-man tortured and killed them. He concludes that since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses to our actions, we should exercise a similar faith. We should seek to serve God in the same manner that a marathon runner runs a race, casting aside anything that might slow us down or impede our service to God. We must continue in our faith, remembering that there will come a time in our life when we will hit something similar to what many marathon runners call “the wall,” a place where everything seems to conspire against us, where we want to just give up. Marathoners have all sorts of methods to overcome “the wall,” but the writer tells us the sure way to overcome the spiritual “wall”, keep our eyes focused on Christ. He is our champion and demonstrates the joy and rewards for persevering in our faith. He also shows us the challenges and obstacles that will be in front of us as we run this race. No matter how difficult we see our lives of faith, we must remember that He suffered even more.
     Further the writer tells us that we will experience God’s discipline as He strives to teach us to live more faithful lives. We should expect discipline from God, because every loving father disciplines his children. If we did not receive discipline from God it would indicate that we were illegitimate children rather than true members of His family. We respect earthly fathers who discipline their children, so we should even more submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father, who disciplines us in order that we might live forever. We must remember that discipline is never pleasant while we are experiencing it, but after the lesson of the discipline has been learned the one who was disciplined will experience greater peace and joy. In light of all of this, we should take a new grip on our faith with our tired hands and strive to make a straight path for our feet, not only for ourselves but for those whose faith is weak and lame so that they may be strengthened.

Deep Creek Dam

Psalm 112:1-10

     Let us praise the Lord. Those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying His commands do not fear bad news because they know that the Lord will care for them. Their light will shine in the darkness and they will not be overcome with evil. They are confident and fearless. They face their foes in confidence of victory. They share freely and give generously to those in need. The confidence and generosity with which the righteous lead their lives causes the plans of the wicked to be thwarted and infuriates the wicked. In these troubled economic times we must remember that good comes to those who conduct their business fairly and lend money generously.

Deep Creek Lake

Proverbs 27:17

     Today’s proverb reminds us that a true friend helps one to improve oneself, even though that sometimes requires a bit of abrasion. Let us sharpen our brothers and sisters in the Lord as they sharpen us in our service to the Lord.

Daily Bible Study

November 13, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I am back to a routine. It is not the same as my old routine, but I think it will work out well. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

Deep Creek Lake Riparian Zone

Ezekiel 27-28:26

     After giving prophecies to each of Judah’s neighbors telling them how the fall of Jerusalem will spill over on to them, Ezekiel gives an extended prophecy concerning Tyre. He talks about Tyre’s wealth and its trading empire. Reading this prophecy, I can easily fit the United States into his description of Tyre. He talks about how Tyre built up its riches by wisdom, honest dealing and honoring God. Then he tells them that their riches and successful commerce led them to sin. This, also sounds like the United States to me. Ezekiel was prophesying that it was too late for Tyre, God’s judgment was going to fall on them and it could not be turned aside. Let us pray that such is not the case for the United States. Perhaps if those of us who strive to serve the Lord, stand in the gap and call on our countrymen to turn to God, there will still be time. Let us call on the Spirit of God to strike the hearts of our neighbors and convict them to turn from their sins. Even if it is too late to turn aside God’s judgment, perhaps some of our neighbors can yet be saved, if only we will be faithful and point them to the living God.

Deep Creek Riparian Zone #2

Hebrews 11:17-31

     The writer recounts how Abraham acted by faith by taking Isaac to sacrifice him to God, even though God had told Abraham that it was through Isaac that the descendants God had promised Abraham would come. Abraham had faith that God would and could honor His promises even if Abraham sacrificed Isaac. God showed Abraham that He would indeed honor His promises by providing a substitute for Isaac. The writer goes on to tell us that Isaac, Jacob and Joseph acted by faith. Joseph had such faith that God would lead the children of Israel out of Egypt in the future that he commanded that they take his bones with them when they left. It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him to save him from Pharaoh’s decree.
     It was by faith that Moses rejected the privilege of being the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and chose instead to be share the oppression of God’s people. Are we willing to reject the pleasures of sin that our culture offers and accept the scorn and ridicule (and perhaps persecution) that it heaps upon those who choose to follow God? Do we have the faith to approach an obstacle like the Red Sea believing that God will move it aside so that we can walk through on dry ground? Do we have the faith to do something like march around the city of Jericho for seven days praising God? Even when such action makes no sense as a means to our goals? Do we have the faith of Rahab to protect a servant of God when our neighbors are seeking to destroy them? Are we willing to stand with the people of God against the animosity of our friends and neighbors?
     Do we have faith to stand in the gap?

Deep Creek Riparian Zone #3

Psalm 111:1-10

     Let us praise the Lord. I thank the Lord every time I meet with His godly people, or at least I try to. Let us trust in the Lord and know that He is good. He provides for those who love and serve Him. His commands are trustworthy and forever true. Let us obey Him faithfully and with integrity. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. IF we follow His commands we will grow in wisdom from this beginning point. Do you wonder why you are not growing in wisdom? Perhaps it is because you are not following what the Lord has revealed to you that He wants you to do. I know that this happens to me from time to time. Or perhaps you have forgotten how fear inspiring the presence of the Holy God can be.

Deep Creek Riparian Zone #4

Proverbs 27:15-16

     Today’s proverb tells us that a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as a constant dripping. The fact of the matter is that this is true of anyone who complains incessantly. Be aware of this and don’t be a someone who is always complaining.

Daily Bible Study

November 12, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I am sorry if my posts are not posted in a timely fashion for the next little while. OK, I have my power back, and I have my Internet back. I was just getting into a new routine and I think I am going to keep some aspects of that new routine. I hope that no one was too disappointed in my posts for the last week or so (or at least no more than they are routinely disappointed by my posts).

Deep Creek Dam

Ezekiel 24-26:21

     Ezekiel uses a metaphor of a cooking pot that is full of corruption where the meat is boiled in the pot so that it all comes out the same. It does not matter if you pull out the choicest cut or most vile, it will taste the same. I am not sure what point Ezekiel was making here, but to me this follows on the point I made yesterday. In this country too many of us are unwilling to inconvenience ourselves by not shopping on Sunday. Ultimately this may be just as much idolatry as those who abort their babies because those babies would be inconvenient. I pray to God that the corruption in this country has not yet reached the point where it cannot be cleaned out and God has no choice but to throw the whole pot and its contents on to the fire for destruction. Will we, those of us who call ourselves servants of Christ, stand in the gap as we work to rebuild the wall of righteousness? Or will we continue to rely on the government to fix it, so that we don’t need to be inconvenienced?
     Before I comment on what the next portion says to me, let me be clear that I do not see the United States as the successor to Israel (or Judah) as God’s chosen nation. That being said, I think that this next section has relevance today to those in other nations who rejoice in the thought of seeing the United States brought low. Ezekiel prophesied that the destruction of Jerusalem would spill over on to the surrounding nations. They would also suffer destruction. Those in other nations should not rejoice in God’s judgment being poured out on the United States in destruction because that destruction will spill out on to the whole earth. I cannot truly speak of those who live in other nations, but my perception is that they also worship the same idols that I see being worshiped in the United States. Wherever we who call on the name of the Lord and claim to be servants of Christ live, we need to stand in the gap and work to rebuild the wall of righteousness before God’s righteous judgment comes down on the whole earth.

God’s Paint-By-Numbers, Green Lane Edition #325

Hebrews 11:1-16

     Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about things that we cannot see. It is by faith that we believe that God created the universe. None of us were there to see how it happened. Some people are unwilling to have faith in anything other than what they can see, touch, hear or feel. They struggle because their logic and a study of those things tell them that at one point the universe began out of nothing, the Big Bang. They struggle to develop a theory that something existed before that beginning, but nothing they can see, touch, hear or feel provides evidence to support such theories. As a Christian, I am content to believe by faith that God created the universe out of nothing.
     The writer discusses various patriarchs (and one matriarch) of faith and what lessons we can learn from them. He mentions Enoch who by faith walked with God and was taken up into heaven without dying. Before he was taken up Enoch was known as a man who pleased God. The writer tells us that it is impossible to please God without faith. He tells us that in order to come to God, we must believe that God exists. I will tell you that if you have trouble knowing if God exists, if you are struggling with knowing if He is real, resolve to live your life for the next period of time (I would recommend at least a year) as if you believe that He is. Make the choices you would make if you were 100 percent sure that God was real. I am confident that God will show you that He is indeed real if you take that step of faith.
     The writer goes on to talk of Noah, Abraham and Sara. He tells us that they died believing what God had promised them even though they did not see it. They lived their lives on this earth as nomads and foreigners, looking forward to a country of their own. They could have gone back to the country they came from, but they were looking for a better place, a heavenly home. Because they had this faith that God was preparing such a place for them, God is not ashamed to be called their God. Do we see this earth and the nation we are currently living in as a place that we are just passing through? Or are we caught up in making the place where we are more comfortable?

God’s Paint-By-Numbers, Earth, Sky And Water Edition #301

Psalm 110:1-7

     All who stand against Christ will be humbled and made as a footstool beneath His feet. Let us bow down before Him willingly and serve Him, our High Priest.

God’s Paint-By-Numbers, Earth and Water Edition #307

Proverbs 27:14

     The writer of this proverb suggests that many people are not morning persons and that if you are, you should be sensitive to this fact.

Daily Bible Study

November 11, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I am sorry if my posts are not posted in a timely fashion for the next little while. OK, I have my power back, and I have my Internet back. I was just getting into a new routine and I think I am going to keep some aspects of that new routine. I hope that no one was too disappointed in my posts for the last week or so (or at least no more than they are routinely disappointed by my posts).

Riparian Zone on Deep Creek

Ezekiel 23:1-49

     Ezekiel compares Israel and Judah to two sisters who prostituted themselves even though they were married. God had made a covenant with them, but they broke it. They lusted after the power and protection of foreign powers. They worshiped the gods of those powers and failed to keep God’s commands. They sacrificed their children and violated the Sabbath. Repeatedly Ezekiel brings up the sacrifice of their children. As if to say, how could you not know that you were doing wrong in your idolatry when it led you to murder your own children? Do we today see the connection between how we fail to keep a day set aside for God and abortion? We as Christians in America have little by little allowed ourselves to give up the standards that God sets forth in the name of convenience or not standing out. I am as guilty of it as the next person. We say, “Shopping on Sunday isn’t as bad as abortion.” While that is true, is not shopping on Sunday a case of us putting our priorities ahead of God’s? I am not going to tell you that shopping on Sunday is always wrong, but when we do it because it is more convenient, are we not worshiping our convenience when we should be worshiping God. I am not getting the words to come out quite right, but I think you can see where I am going.

Red On Green and It’s Not Even Christmas Yet

Hebrews 10:18-39

     We need not fear entering into God’s presence because Jesus has once and for all opened the way into the Most Holy Place of God’s presence. We can go into the presence of God trusting in Jesus to be our intermediary. Our spirits have been washed with Christ’s blood and our bodies have been washed with the water of baptism, so now we are clean before God.
     There is a short instruction here that I want to make note of. “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do,…” From time to time, I come across a post from someone who says that they do not need Church. This passage says they are wrong. Of course, Church is not necessarily a group that meets in a building dedicated to “Church”, or even a formal group (although it is close to the latter). Church is the Body of believers. So, it is doing Church if there is a group of fellow Christians that you meet with on a regular (weekly?) basis to talk about your faith walk and worship God. What is the context of the verse I quoted above? We are to think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. We are to encourage one another in these end times. If we are part of a body that does these things, a body of believers that meet on a regular basis, we are following the instructions the writer gives us here.
     We have been forgiven through grace, but this is not license for us to continue to sin deliberately. The key word is deliberately. Let us remember how we felt when we first came to know the Lord. Let us strive to serve Him with the same enthusiasm we had at that point. If we do this, the temptations to sin will be farther from us and the Spirit will show us how to be more faithful.

God’s Paint-By-Numbers Earth And Sky Edition #269

Psalm 109:1-31

     Let us not fear when evil people slander us. God will defend us against those who attack us for no reason except for our love of God. Trust that God will care for us when people repay our acts of good with evil, when those we love hate us. We must place our trust in God when people tell lies about us in response to our praying for them. The things the psalmist talks about will happen to us. Those who do not wish to follow the Lord will tell such lies about us. Let us be faithful to the Lord so that these things are lies.

God’s Paint-By-Numbers Earth, Sky and Water #270

Proverbs 27:13

     Someone who is willing to guarantee a stranger’s debt is a bad risk, doubly so if they are willing to guarantee the debt of a promiscuous woman. These things are not bad in and of themselves, but they suggest poor judgment.