Quiet Time : wrath

I gotta say, reading Jeremiah has been a tad bit difficult. It is so much about God's wrath that I feel myself getting down; about my past and present sin, and how hopeless this world seems. I seriously find myself waiting for the "hope" part in the following verses/chapters, and they just don't come (at least not very often). Even when Jeremiah pleads for Judah/Jerusalem (the backsliders), the Lord continues describing His coming wrath. I then have to remind myself of the hope I have in Christ (good life lesson there, my friend!), and that eventually perks me up. However, it leaves such a burden on me concerning non-Christians; which actually is a good thing, and I know it's the Holy Spirit working on my heart to love them more.

Jeremiah 20:2 (KJV)

Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.

Ryrie: smote, i.e., with forty lashes across the feet (cf Deut. 25:3; 2 Cor. 11:24). The stocks secured the feet, hands, and neck, bending the body almost double (cf 2 Chron. 16:10; Jer. 29:26). This exposed Jeremiah to public ridicule.

This really made me stop and think. The Lord asked this man to forsake marriage (including children, so don't think of this as some kind of crazy bachelor life) (Jer. 16:2), he wasn't to mourn (Jer. 16:5) or celebrate (Jer. 16:8). Jeremiah was a faithful servant of God, even when enduring things like the verse above. Amazing.

* I have no explanation for the picture above, except that I liked it, and wanted to add a picture... ;)

Daily Dose of Spurgeon : "obtain the hid treasure"

June 9, Evening

John 5:39
Search the Scriptures.

The Greek word here rendered search signifies a strict, close, diligent, curious search, such as men make when they are seeking gold, or hunters when they are in earnest after game. We must not rest content with having given a superficial reading to a chapter or two, but with the candle of the Spirit we must deliberately seek out the hidden meaning of the word. Holy Scripture requires searching-much of it can only be learned by careful study. There is milk for babes, but also meat for strong men. The rabbis wisely say that a mountain of matter hangs upon every word, yea, upon every title of Scripture. Tertullian exclaims, "I adore the fulness of the Scriptures." No man who merely skims the book of God can profit thereby; we must dig and mine until we obtain the hid treasure. The door of the word only opens to the key of diligence. The Scriptures claim searching. They are the writings of God, bearing the divine stamp and imprimatur- who shall dare to treat them with levity? He who despises them despises the God who wrote them. God forbid that any of us should leave our Bibles to become swift witnesses against us in the great day of account. The word of God will repay searching. God does not bid us sift a mountain of chaff with here and there a grain of wheat in it, but the Bible is winnowed corn-we have but to open the granary door and find it. Scripture grows upon the student. It is full of surprises. Under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, to the searching eye it glows with splendour of revelation, like a vast temple paved with wrought gold, and roofed with rubies, emeralds, and all manner of gems. No merchandise like the merchandise of Scripture truth. Lastly, the Scriptures reveal Jesus: "They are they which testify of Me." No more powerful motive can be urged upon Bible readers than this: he who finds Jesus finds life, heaven, all things. Happy he who, searching his Bible, discovers his Saviour.

C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishing, 1997.

Quiet Time : backsliding

Whoa boy. Started reading Jeremiah this morning. Prophetic, and of course mirroring my own sin in my life. That's the thing about the Bible (it being God's Holy Word)... According to the Ryrie Study Bible introduction, Jeremiah was a reluctant yet faithful prophet. And let me tell you, if you've ever been a backslider, then these verses will pierce your heart! However, as I was reading this, it became clear to me how I am still prone to backslide, because I am deceived by my own heart and this fallen world. I praise God for His mercy - I thank Him for keeping me - I pray I never stray again.

Jeremiah 2:11 (KJV)

Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

Idolatry.

Jeremiah 2:21-25 (KJV)

21Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?
22For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
23How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;
24A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.
25Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.

Backsliding.

Jeremiah 2:34 (KJV)

Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.

Just found this interesting. Click here for a commentary.

Jeremiah 3:14-15 (KJV)

14Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
15And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

I'm grateful for where God has brought me; literally and spiritually. :)

Quiet Time : "beauty for ashes"

Isaiah 58:6 (KJV)

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Isaiah 58:11 (KJV)

And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

Faithful.

Isaiah 58:13-14 (KJV)

13If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
14Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

"Not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words" really stuck out to me; then conversely what we should delight in and why.

Isaiah 59:9-10 (KJV)

9Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.
10We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.

I like light-dark verses.

Isaiah 59:21 (KJV)

As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

He does not change! See James 1:17.

Isaiah 61:3 (KJV)

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Our good for His glory.

Isaiah 61:10 (KJV)

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

(this is now hanging on my mirror in the form of post-its)

Isaiah 62:4 (KJV)

Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.

Ryrie Study Bible: Hephzibah means "my delight is in her," and Beulah means "married."

Isaiah 64:4 (KJV)

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

See I Corinthians 2:9.

Isaiah 64:8 (KJV)

But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

See Isaiah 29:16 and 45:9.

Quite Time : awesome love

Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV)

8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Ryrie Study Bible: God's love stems from a plan infinitely superior to anything man could have devised.

Isaiah 55:10-13 (KJV)

10For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
12For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

That's just awesome :)

Quiet Time : Beautiful Savior

Isaiah 53 (KJV)

1Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

8He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Quiet Time : glory and majesty

Isaiah 47:8 (KJV) reminds me of the woman in Revelation 17.

Isaiah 48:9 - 11 (KJV)

9For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.
10Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
11For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another. (emphasis mine)

Soli Deo Gloria. In Christ Alone. None other. Also speaks to election, and how it is not out of anything from our worth that saves us. It is all God.

Isaiah 48:16 (KJV)

Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me. (emphasis mine)

I forgot to copy the study Bible note, but this refers to the Trinity with the preincarnate Christ. Awesome.

Daily Dose of Spurgeon : "restore believers to joy"

May 28, Evening

Lamentations 3:21
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

Memory is frequently the bondslave of despondency. Despairing minds call to remembrance every dark foreboding in the past, and dilate upon every gloomy feature in the present; thus memory, clothed in sackcloth, presents to the mind a cup of mingled gall and wormwood. There is, however, no necessity for this. Wisdom can readily transform memory into an angel of comfort. That same recollection which in its left hand brings so many gloomy omens, may be trained to bear in its right a wealth of hopeful signs. She need not wear a crown of iron, she may encircle her brow with a fillet of gold, all spangled with stars. Thus it was in Jeremiah's experience: in the previous verse memory had brought him to deep humiliation of soul: "My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me"; and now this same memory restored him to life and comfort. "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope." Like a two-edged sword, his memory first killed his pride with one edge, and then slew his despair with the other. As a general principle, if we would exercise our memories more wisely, we might, in our very darkest distress, strike a match which would instantaneously kindle the lamp of comfort. There is no need for God to create a new thing upon the earth in order to restore believers to joy; if they would prayerfully rake the ashes of the past, they would find light for the present; and if they would turn to the book of truth and the throne of grace, their candle would soon shine as aforetime. Be it ours to remember the lovingkindness of the Lord, and to rehearse His deeds of grace. Let us open the volume of recollection which is so richly illuminated with memorials of mercy, and we shall soon be happy. Thus memory may be, as Coleridge calls it, "the bosom-spring of joy," and when the Divine Comforter bends it to His service, it may be chief among earthly comforters.

C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishing, 1997.

Quiet Time : patience.teaching.idols

Isaiah 30:18 (KJV)

15For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
16But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.
17One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.
18And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

I love this passage, because it shows God's patience for His children. No matter how much we turn from Him, if He ordains it, we will REturn to Him. He is ETERNALLY patient! :) Just think about it, who is patient like that?!?

Isaiah 30:20-21 (KJV)

20And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:
21And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Ryrie note: teachers. Better, Teacher, referring to God. On God the teacher in the Millennium, see Isaiah 2:3.

"On that day when freed from sinning" - His teaching of us will be uninterrupted by our sin.

Isaiah 31:7 (KJV)

For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.

Idols. Also, Isaiah 2:8, Isaiah 2:17-18, Isaiah 30:22. Thank GOODNESS for the day when we will be free from sin, and from the pesky idols that deceive our hearts!

+++++

Also, check out Stuff Christian's Like post for today, Wishing being a Christian meant a pain free life.

Quiet Time : "faithfulness and truth"

Isaiah 25:1 (KJV)

O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.


Before The Throne Of God Above


Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.

Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
King of glory and of grace,

One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

"The lyrics, by Charitie Lees Bancroft (1841-1923), are a brilliant combination of Gospel-centered theology with personal application, set to a beautiful and timeless melody written by Vikki Cook." Click here to listen to and read about the song.

Quiet Time : "the whole earth is full of his glory"

Tuesday

Isaiah 3:12 (KJV)

12As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

Me: this made me think of the fall (Gen. 3), and how God's natural order regarding gender was disrupted. This warns of the danger of twisting God's will.

Isaiah 3:16-26 (KJV)

16Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:
17Therefore the LORD will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.
18In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon,
19The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,
20The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,
21The rings, and nose jewels,
22The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,
23The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.
24And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.
25Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.
26And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.

Ryrie: The fashionable women, seeking to lure other women's husbands with their imported luxurious dress, would soon be destitute (cf. 1 Peter 3:3-4)

Me: Even if a man is single, he is PROBABLY going to marry, and that means that he is someone else's husband - he will be at some point - and that should be honored. I know I read that somewhere - to treat all men as someone else's husband (if they are single, and obviously if they are married)... Also, these verses really stood out to me a few days ago, and TODAY I read the following post from Girls Gone Wise blog: Too Sexy For My Love (hint, she talks about these verses).

Isaiah 4:1 (KJV)

And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

Ryrie: Wars will slaughter so many men that in that day (ultimately the tribulation days), women will be willing to be self-supporting if only they can be married and escape the reproach of being childless.

Me: nowadays there is no "reproach of being childless." Today's society has gone so far to the other extreme that it condones the murder of innocent, unborn children and labels it as "equal right," or "leveling the playing field" with men. The result - murder for the sake of "equality." Ugh. I don't want to be equal to a man. I don't have to be to have a sense of self-worth.

+++++

Wednesday

Isaiah 5:6 (KJV)

And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.

Me: this is what happens with rebellion (read the prior verses!).

Isaiah 5:20 (KJV)

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:30 (KJV)

And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.

Me: verses 20 and 30 show the difference between light and dark (good and evil), and the danger of mistaking one for another.

Isaiah 6:3 (KJV)

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

Ryrie: Holy means separate from all that is sinful and immoral. The threefold repetition means tha God is uniquely holy.

Me: first of all, this made me think of Revelation 4:8! Also, THREEFOLD REPETITION - look back at the Song of Solomon posts... ;)

Quiet Time : Prophesy

I just want to start with - it is believed that Isaiah was martyred by being cut in half inside a hollow log. This is serious business, my friends. He was seen as a real threat.

My main thoughts about Isaiah so far (which I started reading Monday morning) are that God revealed things to Isaiah in a multi-layered way. He was predicting events that would occur in the near future (for him), the fall of Judah as a nation (because of it's sins against God). But also, more importantly, he was prophesizing about the Messiah to come, in the line of Judah; Jesus Christ. That is amazing.

Isaiah 1:18-20 (KJV)

18Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
20But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Me: belief vs. unbelief. Striking.

Isaiah 2:2-3 (KJV) CSL

2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Me: this reminded me of the scene in The Great Divorce, when the narrator decides to go forward. (I'm being cryptic here, because I see that book as an excellent narrative on sin, but I don't believe it to be a true picture of what Heaven is like - and also, because I don't want to ruin it for you if you've never read it!).

Isaiah 2:8 (KJV)

Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:

Me: The sin of worshiping the created (idolatry), rather than the Creator of ALL things.

Isaiah 2:10, 19, 21 (KJV)

10Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.

19And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

21To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

Me: 3 verses on fearing God... and the glory of His majesty! (repeated phrases = important thought to get across!).

Quiet Time : "set me as a seal"

I finished up Song of Solomon last Thursday...

Song of Solomon 7 (KJV)

Read the whole chapter. Solomon is enraptured by his wife physically, most notable to me is her prominent nose. Made me think about our culture's idea of beauty; that in marriage it shouldn't be that way. Beauty is unique.

Song of Solomon 8:4 (KJV)

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please.

Me: There it is, for the THIRD time! Yes, this is very important!!!!! Wait, be patient, TRUST IN THE LORD.

Song of Solomon 8:6 (KJV)

Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

Ryrie Study Bible note: as a seal. I.e., like a precious possession. See note on Gen. 38:18. She wants to be her husband's most treasured possession.

Me: this verse makes me sigh... Makes me want to study in the Bible anywhere there is a seal. Most importantly, that we are sealed by God. (II Cor. 1:22, Eph. 1:13, 4:30, Tim. 2:19, etc.). Also, wish I would have read that note on Gen 38 above - it's when Tamar tricked Judah by dressing like a harlot! When she asked him for symbols of his affection (i.e. proof of their union).

Song of Solomon 8:7 (KJV)

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

Ryrie: True love cannot be quenched, nor bought. To attempt to buy it is to despise it.

Me: *sigh* again...

Song of Solomon 8:8-9 (KJV)

8We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?
9If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar.

Ryrie: The Shulammite recalls her brothers' attitude toward her when she was young. If she would resist temptation (a wall) they would reward her (silver), but if she were loose (a door) they would be strict with her (inclose her with boards of cedar). She turned out virtuous (v. 10).

Song of Solomon 8:14 (KJV)

Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

Ryrie: As separated lovers long to be reunited, so the church longs to see her Bridegroom (Rev. 22:20). (4:7-no spot).

Me: Ephesians 5, and the mystery of Christ's relationship with the church paralleled with the relationship between husband and wife. How the longing for a spouse is like the longing for Heaven - when we will be reunited with Christ. This brings to mind Song of Solomon 4:7, the spotless bride. Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, was the spotless lamb, without sin.

Daily Dose of Spurgeon : "we commit two evils"

May 4, Morning

Jeremiah 16:20
Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods.

One great besetting sin of ancient Israel was idolatry, and the spiritual Israel are vexed with a tendency to the same folly. Remphan's star shines no longer, and the women weep no more for Tammuz, but Mammon still intrudes his golden calf, and the shrines of pride are not forsaken. Self in various forms struggles to subdue the chosen ones under its dominion, and the flesh sets up its altars wherever it can find space for them. Favourite children are often the cause of much sin in believers; the Lord is grieved when He sees us doting upon them above measure; they will live to be as great a curse to us as Absalom was to David, or they will be taken from us to leave our homes desolate. If Christians desire to grow thorns to stuff their sleepless pillows, let them dote on their dear ones. It is truly said that "they are no gods," for the objects of our foolish love are very doubtful blessings, the solace which they yield us now is dangerous, and the help which they can give us in the hour of trouble is little indeed. Why, then, are we so bewitched with vanities? We pity the poor heathen who adore a god of stone, and yet worship a god of gold. Where is the vast superiority between a god of flesh and one of wood? The principle, the sin, the folly is the same in either case, only that in ours the crime is more aggravated because we have more light, and sin in the face of it. The heathen bows to a false deity, but the true God he has never known; we commit two evils, inasmuch as we forsake the living God and turn unto idols. May the Lord purge us all from this grievous iniquity!

"The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be;
Help me to tear it from thy throne,
And worship only thee."

breathless

Today, God left me breathless

The only way I can describe it is the He showed me how much HE has changed me. Words cannot describe how amazing this feels.

East to West

Casting Crowns

Here I am Lord and I'm drowning

In Your sea of forgetfulness

The chains of yesterday surround me

I yearn for peace and rest

I don't want to end up

Where You found me

And it echoes in my mind

Keeps me awake tonight

I know You've cast my sins as far

As the East is from the West

And I stand before You now

As though I've never sinned

But today I feel like

I'm just one mistake away

From You leaving me this way

Jesus can You show me

Just how far the East is from the West

Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been

Come rising up in me again

In the arms of Your Mercy I find rest

Cause you know just how far

The East is from the West

From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day the war begins

Endless reminding of my sin

Time and time again

Your Truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in

Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away

From You leaving me this way

Jesus can you show me

Just how far the East is from the West

Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been

Come rising up in me again

In the arms of Your Mercy I find rest

Cause You know just how far the East is from the West

From one scarred hand to the other

I know You've washed me white

Turned my darkness into light

I need Your Peace to get me through

To get me through this night

I can't live by what I feel

But by the Truth Your Word reveals

I'm not holding on to You

But You're holding on to me

You're holding on to me

Jesus, You know just how far

The East is from the West

I don't have to see the man I've been

Come rising up in me again

In the arms of Your Mercy I find rest

(The arms of Your Mercy I find rest)

Cause You know just how far the East is from the West

From one scarred hand to the other (x2)

(Just how far, the East is from the West) (x3)

From one scarred hand to the other

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"Have you ever had a gallop on a horse? Think of that; and then take away the heavy noise of the hoofs and the jingle of the harness and imagine instead the almost noiseless padding of the great paws. Then imagine instead of the black or grey or chestnut back of the horse the soft roughness of golden fur, and the mane flying back in the wind. And then imagine you are going about twice as fast as the fastest racehorse. But this is a mount that doesn't need to be guided and never grows tired. He rushes on and on, never missing his footing, never hesitating..."

C.S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

"Both the children were looking up into the Lion's face as he spoke these words. And all at once (they never knew exactly how it happened) the face seemed to be a sea of tossing gold in which they were floating, and such a sweetness and power rolled about them and over them and entered into them that they felt they had never really been happy or wise or good, or even alive and awake, before. And the memory of that moment stayed with them always, so that as long as they both lived, if they were ever sad or afraid or angry, the thought of all that golden goodness, and the feeling that it was still there, quite close, just around some corner or just behind some door, would come back and make them sure, deep down inside, that all is well."

C.S. Lewis, The Magician's Nephew

Quiet Time : Romantic~Forgiveness

(from yesterday's Quiet Time)

Song of Solomon, Chapters 4-6, Honeymoon and Newlyweds

Here are the basic thoughts I had about these chapters:

The honeymoon starts with the husband praising his wife's beauty. Shortly after, she rebuffs him for some reason or other, panics, drama ensues by way of a dream, then they make up. He forgives her, and uses the same praises that he did during the honeymoon to describe her.

I have never been married, but I think I can see where a marriage might turn sour. Reality sets in, there are misunderstandings, and one or both party wants out. The lesson to be learned here (I think), is that the person you marry may seem to change from who(m?) you fell in love with, but as long as you can forgive that person, and remember why you fell in love with them in the first place, then any problem can be overcome. It is beneficial when both parties are Christians, hence the argument to be similarly yoked* (II Corinthians 6:14), because when one has deep knowledge of how much s/he has been forgiven through Christ, it is much easier to forgive others (Matthew 6:14, Matthew 18:21-22). It's important to note that the bride does feel bad for rebuffing her husband, and therefore exhibits a contrite heart. So both parties are intimately involved in this (in a way as a single woman, I just can't comprehend, but can certainly practice when faced with conflict!).

* I've noticed when the term 'yoke' comes into play in the Bible, it's usually depicted as a heavy burden, or sin. Brings to mind a picture of two sinners burdened by their sinful ways, together. Not so romantic, huh? Makes me think of the book, When Sinners Say "I Do" which I haven't read, but the title says it all.

Also, another thought I had while reading these chapters - of all the people to take marital counsel from... Solomon!? At the writing of this poem, he had 140 wives! (Song of Solomon 6:8), and later had at least 1000 wives and concubines (I Kings 11:3). I think this just goes to show how the Bible uses unexpected people as sources of wisdom. Yes, God uses sinners to teach us in the Bible, He has to, because we all have sinned and fallen short! (Romans 3:23). So you see, He really has no alternative in the matter.

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I gotta admit, I was tempted to read my ESV Study Bible's notes on this, and I may still - the imagery is just wild!

a worm and a lesson

So, today I read the following post on Between Two Worlds; David Sunday: Sermons on Hell. This seemed especially timely (Providential?), because of something I observed yesterday...

As I was walking to work yesterday morning, I noticed a stretch of sidewalk almost covered with dead worms. You know, like when they get tricked into coming out of the ground with rain, then get stuck on concrete, and dry up? (I know, gross).

I noticed a worm that was still alive and struggling. I reached down, picked it up, and threw it in the grass. I had the thought that a lot of people would think that is weird and/or gross. But then I had the thought "I'm willing to pick up a worm and throw it in the grass - to potentially save it's life - yet I'm so very timid in sharing the Gospel - which, if God wills it, can save a fellow human being from eternal damnation!"

Here's just a hint from the post linked above:

"...The imagery of the undying worm and the unquenchable fire derives..."

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Check this out:

Tim Challies, on the importance of accountability, in Escaping Anonymity.

Quiet Time : ahh, the romance

My delightful journey of reading the Bible straight through has come to a most abrupt change in theme. I am now reading Song of Solomon. Ahh the passion, the romance, the sheer imagery..
It's a short book, with short chapters, so this morning I read the courtship (and wedding day) section, chapters 1-3.

One thing I noticed is that Christian women are charged not to awaken love TWICE so far. Verses 2:7 and 3:5. Repetition in the Bible usually means that a point is being made. Anything important can't be said enough. Funny how that verse (either one, they are pretty much the same) came to my mind the other day, while I was thinking about patience -click here to read about it.

Song of Solomon 1:17 (KJV)

Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?

Ryrie: Though the Shulammite longed to meet Solomon, she did not want to chase him as one that turneth aside (better, like a veiled woman; i.e. like a prostitute).

Song of Solomon 1:8 (KJV)

If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.

Ryrie: If you want to know where your lover is, join other shephards in the fields.

If you want to find your (Lord Willing) husband, go to church (or be around fellow Christians)! :)

Song of Solomon 2:3 (KJV)

As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

Ryrie: Just as an apple tree would be uncommon, so was finding Solomon.

Song of Solomon 2:12 (KJV)

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

Ryrie: turtle = turtledove. Solomon is inviting the Shulammite outside to enjoy a beautiful spring day. Similarly, God invites His people to share the delights of His company (v. 13).

Song of Solomon 2:13 (KJV)

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

(green emphasis mine :) )

Quiet Time : Futility and Duty

I have finished reading Ecclesiastes, and started Song of Solomon this morning.

I found Ecclesiastes to seem almost like an extension of Proverbs, probably due to the writing style of Solomon. Of course, the difference is that Ecclesiastes is about the meaningless of life... but it's not a downer, although guess I just made it sound like it is!

I wrote down many verses to post, but didn't get around to it. So here are most of them:

Ecclesiastes 1:10-11 (KJV)

10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
11There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

This reminded me about how much we think we are smarter than previous generations.

Ecclesiastes 1:13 (KJV)

Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

Notice the juxtoposition between wisdom/light and folly/darkness. (compare with John 8:12 use of light and dark, with Christ. Also, Job 30:26, when good and evil are defined as light and dark, as in sin - there are many more examples of these... lots of light and dark used in Job).

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (KJV)

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (KJV). Ryrie: Man may overcome his frustrations over the futility of life by enjoying life and being occupied with God's good gifts.

Ecclesiastes 6:9 (KJV)

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Ryrie: It is better to enjoy present good than to long for future desires. sight of the eyes. What the eyes see.

Ecclesiastes 7:10 (KJV)

Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

Opposite of what 1:10-11 said, more about being nostalgic than haughty.

Ecclesiastes 8:3-8 (KJV) Ryrie: When we avoid God's plan, we don't fit well in it - aren't blessed - because it is a fixed plan.

Ecclesiastes 8:12 (KJV)

Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:Ryrie: Believer v. unbeliever. Notice sinner v. those who fear God. Being a Christian doesn't mean that one ceases to be a sinner. It means that one fears God.

Ecclesiastes 9:1 (KJV)

For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.

Ryrie: Many events are beyond the control of men. Every possible circumstance can befall man, but whether faced with love (happy circumstances), or hate (unhappy circumstances), God has arranged what will take place in one's life.

Ecclesiastes 11:5 (KJV)

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

Pro-life.

Ecclesiastes 11:10 (KJV)

Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

Ecclesiastes 12:11 (KJV)

The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

Ryrie: Solomon's words are like goads to prod us and nails to anchor us. The reference to the one shephard confirms the fact that the teaching of Solomon is God-given.

Ecclesiastes 12:12 (KJV)

And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Ryrie: A warning against excessive devotion to secular literature.

(Just found that last one interesting... )

But really, here is the conclusion to the book:

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

CSL : "give this delight perfect expression"

"If it were possible for a created soul fully (I mean, up to the full measure conceivable in a finite being) to "appreciate", that is to love and delight in, the worthiest object of all, and simultaneously at every moment to give this delight perfect expression, then that soul would be in supreme beautitude."

C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms