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2 Realizations Tests and Words

Ok, so I have been thinking much about tests/trials that God has us go through. My daughter Katie was talking to me about something to do with school--the specifics slip my mind right now. I was explaining to her that she would not have anything on her tests that I had not already taught her. That's not the purpose of tests---to introduce new material---then it hit me---the Lord may do the same. I would only be tested on the things He has already tried to teach me. Somehow, that relieves me of pressure...it is now my responsibility to be a good student of the Lord and not to predict new material or know the test material beforehand. So, as He teaches, I want to learn. I don't have to learn during the test, but before the test.

2nd realization
Last night, I was explaining a situation to a couple of friends of how I do not like to commit to something unless I really really mean to do it! My life parable is the story in the Bible of the two sons of one father...one sons commits to do work for his father, but doesn't, and the other one says he won't , but then in the end, he does the work. In my life, I would rather say no, then do it if I can. In my opinion, your word is your life--your reputation. I was reading in Jeremiah today---and Jeremiah 1:12 b says "I am watching over my word to perform it." So, that's where I get it! My heavenly father!!! He doesn't commit to anything that He doesn't remember to do! How awesome is this. I love it when I see a physical resemblance in me or my kids to my parents and/or brothers. Somehow, it makes me feel a very strong connection to them---that I am part of something bigger, that I belong in their family. Here, I see that some things that are really strong in me, really came from Him! Cool! I want there to be more of that in my life that resembles Him.

An idea for you to try

I am often reminded that we need more of God in our daily lives. in our friendships. in, well, everything! So, why not read a book of the Bible together with a friend, a mom or a dad? I got this idea from my friend Bekah who meets on Skype with her friend every Tuesday for Bible Study! How cool is that? They are dedicated! I think they meet in the early, early morning too! Since I am in Russia, I have this privilege of sharing the word online when I cannot in person.

I first asked my friend Sarah to do this and we read Galatians together. Now, I am reading Colossians with my mom and friend Abby. We just write our thoughts down in an email and share. It's fun seeing a new perspective. I had done this a long time ago just before getting married. I read a book with my dad--it was one of the Pauline letters---but which one I can't recall. So, will you do the same? What are you reading right now? Are you almost ready to start a new book---if so, here's your chance!!

We should be reading the Word daily...so why not simultaneously read with a friend---even though not in the same room! Our friendships should always have a spiritual aspect to them. One should disciple and the other learn or both of you should be sharpening each other. If our friendships ever have zero growth toward God, you might consider adding that aspect to it. It can only improve it---when you both are growing or giving of the Lord!

Trusting His methods

Ok, this is really John's revelation...but it was so good for me, that I had to write it.
Background:
I have often felt frustrated with "last minute" things that are done "by God." Sometimes, wondering---were they from God or did people just make it happen and it finally did. Ok, more than that, let me go even farther and say that I have chatted with the Lord(once or twice) about "why don't you do things ahead of time and prove Your Hand is in things, instead of being so last minute---it does terrible things to "God's reputation" when people think...well, you just have to wait for Him to act and it won't happen til the end." Yes, I did have this conversation with God---nope, He didn't take my advice:)....He didn't need to. I had this conversation before coming to Russia, b/c I felt that everything--well, visas...and invitations and such weren't falling into place until the month before coming...and oh, I almost forgot---our house had not sold---it was on the market for over a year!! Why??? Why did it have to sell in October??? Why didn't God show His hand earlier? Was it because it was His plan all along? Sometimes, these "plans" are called into question when they don't happen earlier---sometimes people may have thought...we shouldn't have come here to Russia b/c everything didn't happen earlier. Were we forcing things to happen so we could come to Russia? Yep, people thought things things and sometimes even voiced their concerns to us, we even wondered about it at times.

Ok, so on to another story---Corrie Ten Boom---seemed to question God's methods too. Her father used the example of not giving her a train ticket that he had bought for her until they reached the station. Why did he wait...she didn't need the ticket beforehand. He had done the prep work, bought the ticket, brought the ticket and yet, still had Corrie wait to get it in her hand. He said that God doesn't give us things until we need them. (By the way, we do the same thing with Katie and metro tokens)

On hearing this story told by John many times this year, I have felt much better about God's ways, but still thought that God should spare himself the "last minute" reputation til today.

We have been praying a lot lately and have both been hearing separately and together and from others that the Lord has our work set out, He will make it clear, and He is doing the prep work for it, but that we are not to worry but to wait, and trust Him. Vague? I thought so, but I WILL follow Him. So, on that note, John was praying and he felt that God said to him this morning...Trusting Me means also trusting my methods. Whoa!!! So, enough said...that's what we are doing!!! Trusting Him and His ways(b/c don't we always say that His ways are higher than ours???? Well, now we get to trust in them too and not knock the way He does things!).

Trusting Me means also trusting my methods.

His intentions are GOOD!!!

We have all heard that God wants the best for us, but do we really believe it? I do. Look, God specifically reminds His people that He wanted to humble them and test them to do what? To do good to them in the end!!!! Sometimes the way to the good life is hard...but it is so worth it if it is God's good life!!!


Deut. 8:16who fed you in the wilderness with(T) manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you,(U) to do you good in the end.

Manna!

Deut 8:3 And he humbled you and(F) let you hunger and(G) fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that(H) man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word[a] that comes from the mouth of the LORD.


Ok, I just left all the extra letter parts in here from BibleGateway.com...want to post quickly!
This is a scripture I came upon yesterday!! I have heard it in the NT quoted by Jesus, and I have read it before here, but obviously never really got it like I did yesterday! Our trials are to make us realize total dependence on Him. Ok, so maybe to some this is obvious...and maybe it should be? but I have a different perspective on it now...I will praise God through my trials, because I WANT more of HIM!!!

An Eight Year Old's words!

When I fall, you are the one I need.
When I am thirsty you are the one I need.
When I'm about to die, you help me.
Lord, you're so wonderful.
What can I do good to you, You're not one of those statues.
You're my God. You're a real God.

I found this this morning by my Bible. I asked Katie where she got this from--she said she just wrote it. Whoa! She's on the right track. Ok, the die part...had me going hmmm....but at least she knows where to look!

What is your assignment?

1Corinthians 7: 17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.

Self - explanatory---but what a great verse to show that we just need to follow the Lord's plan for us individually...every one's calling or life is not the same.

The Veil

2 Cor. 3: 14But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Today...you get two posts. This one is short....may we all read the OT with our veils lifted.
Is your veil lifted? I would love to hear any insight you may have gotten in the OT with your veil removed.

New Covenant

I have been musing on the differences between the OT and NT and wondering...what should we be doing about all the OT laws...since we are free from them, but in the end, they are great ways to live? I mean---if you live by the nutrition laws...it can't hurt, and the TEN Commandments...for sure, we don't want to disregard them! So, while I have been reading in Deut. lately...I have been reading in 2 Cor. Great combo by the way! So, I found a great nugget!!!

6(this is referring to Jesus) who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

So, Jesus brought us the new covenant---fulfilled the old. But, in whatever we do we need to be ministers of the Spirit not the letter. I find that I get so "soap boxed" about my convictions and I want to explain them all. Today, I felt impressed by the Lord to let His Spirit speak in my quietness. For after all, if I have a truth in the Spirit with my convictions...and not just a letter conviction...the Spirit will give life and it will spill out of me.

As I write, I understand what I am trying to say, but does it make sense to the reader??? I really hope it does...but only the Spirit of God can really get these things across, right?!

God is Always Moving Forward

A friend of mine brought a verse to mind about how we view what God has called us to do. The verse is Luke 9:62 "Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'" I have been saying that if we run out of money or if it gets too tough we will just go "back" to Texas. When my friend brought up this verse, it cut to my heart. I have had my fall back plan instead of looking forward. It's not to say we won't end up in Texas but that it will be in a forward motion. Let's put our hand to the plow and move forward with our whole heart. God can be trusted with our future.

It's ok to be an infant in somethings!

I Corinthians: 14:20 b. Be infants in evil--but in your thinking be mature. How straightforward and great is this. I think sometimes people think---I wish I had a great testimony--thinking great would be that they were delivered from a deep obvious sin. Well, we are all delivered from sin---but it's better to be infants in evil, eh?!

Relying only on Him

Have you ever heard from people or pastors that we are to rely not on ourselves but only on Him? Well, I know and have heard this, but today, I read it today and was astounded at how it was straight from the word--ha! Maybe I should have known the exact phrase is in the Word, but I am learning the more I have heard over time, has come from the best book ever! I am such a black and white person with teaching from the Word, I LOVE it when I see it right where it should be---God's written word.

So, here it is: 2 Cor 1:7-10---Paul is sharing how his troubles were for a real reason and he says:
8For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us.(G) On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

All things need to be done in love.

Today, as I am reading in 1 Corinthians...I am struck again by this love stuff...Let all that you do be done in love--this is almost at the end of the book. I keep coming upon this note of teaching for me...Yep, I need this! I need to be working in the love of Christ, not my own strength or words. It's funny, I just am reminded of this over and over by my Father in Heaven. May I have the wisdom to follow this!!

When things that we do are not done in love, they don't work--they don't change people, they may seem to work at different times, but really, I am seeing that they are not God's way. I am so thankful for His love and that He changes me through His love and not His judgement.

Any one else being reminded of this love need by the Lord? Share if you will--I would love to hear back.

Building Up....what does this mean?

The purpose for this blog is to share little nuggets that John and I and maybe others have been learning from God's Word. I am going to try to keep most posts short and to the point so people can quickly read them and see what we have been learning from the Bible. Some of the posts may be lengthy, so when you see those, allot your time for reading:). I do not promise to post regularly as my schedule is quite full these days. As the Lord teaches us and inspires us to post, I will post.

I have been reading in I Corinthians about the need to build up the church. Building up can include encouragement, instruction, correction...and more, I am sure...but all building up needs to be done in love:). So, this blog's main purpose will be to share the "nuggets" that we feel with help people in their walk with the Lord. Hope you enjoy...first real post to follow today or tomorrow!