Jan 23, 2010, Exodus 6-8, Luke 23

Title:  Why would anyone listen to me? This is what Moses asked.

S: Ex 6:30 "But Moses said to the Lord, "Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?"

O: This morning the preacher spoke on the passage from  Ezekiel about the dry bones coming to life and he said that really it is not the preacher or the eloquence of the speaker but the dry boned audience that gets that holy spirit fire and hears with new vigor.  

A: I don't need to hear another preacher, or take another course, I need the passion that comes from walking with Jesus.

P: Lord, like Moses everyone including me hold back - these dry bones need life. .... so bring it on.

Title:  God will give us all his power --- that is what He did to Moses.

S: Ex 7:1 "Then the Lord said to Moses "See I have MADE YOU LIKE GOD to Pharaoh,  and your brother Aaron will be your prophet."

O: I do not remember God saying this to Moses -- I will make you like God - what very strong words........ like a God - with your own personal prophet to speak on your behalf........  it is like the preacher said this morning - it is not what we say - it is God - when people have a great spiritual experience often they cannot remember what the person speaking to them said -  it is God that will raise up their dry bones...... 

A: Forget about the faltering lips - even in another language - it will work out.

P: Help  me to get into that language course this week - eager to start.

Note - Moses was 80  old and Aaron 83 when they spoke to Pharaoh  - that is old - time to get on with it.

Title:  Moses miracles were duplicated by the magicians  -- why could they do this - by whose power?

S: Ex 7:22 "But the Egyptian magicians did the same things by their secret arts,"

O: I find it strange that the magicians can duplicate God's miracles through their secret arts - I think that God's miracles should have been superior to the works from the evil side.

A: Perhaps the evil side is often and thought of as weak when yes - God is more powerful however - only if we call on Him ---which is sometimes forgotten in the fretful pace of life.  

P: Help me to remember to ask you to overcome obstacles as the evil side is trying counter every miracle with some devious action.

Note: Why would the pharaoh agree to get rid of all the frog except the ones in the Nile?  Also - if the magicians could duplicate everything else - why could they not do anything about the gnats?

Title: The magicians admit it is God.

S: Ex 8:19 "The magicians said to the Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God."

O: Think I really like this verse - it is like the powerful enemy finally admits that - this is God - defeat is the only option for the enemies of God.

P: If only I could have a slight idea of God's true power I would be very different than I am .... please not just a glimpse but the whole meal deal.

Title: When there is confrontation - do it first thing in the morning.

S: Ex 8:20  Then the Lord said to Moses "Get up early in the morning and confront Pharaoh"

O: We are to get up early and worship God - we are also suppose to get up early and confront our enemies ---- That 5 a.m. sound of the call to worship heard in the middle east - what would this nation be if we did that as Christians - oh how difficult that is for me..... 

A: Each day is a new day - things can change.... a morning person ... that would be a great goal.

P: A morning person.

Title: Even God's enemies know in their heart that He is God and would not mind a little prayer for them.

S: Ex 8:28 Pharaoh said "I will let you go to offer sacrifices to the Lord....... Now pray for me.

O: Even the demons shake in their boots at his name.

P: Not even the most formidable enemy is of an consequence compared to God - even they need prayer. Help me never to forget that. Even kings, presidents, the great ones..... stand in the need of prayer.

Luke 23 - Jesus before Pilate, the Crucifixion, Jesus Death and Burial

S: Luke 23:8 "When Herod Jesus he was greatly pleased because for a long time he had been wanting to see him."

O: It amazed me when reading this that even Herod was eager to meet Jesus.  But it was a fancy, elite, miracle on demand Jesus that Herod was eager to meet - not a man who was quiet and said very little and appeared humble. Herod was not impressed as Jesus was not cool enough - did not have that status symbol image that Herod wanted and thought of himself as..... is that why we North American's reject this humble Jesus? Just like our elite intellectuals - "Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him." vs 11   ....  "That day Herod and Pilate became friends before this they had been enemies." vs. 12

A: What is the saying - the enemy of my enemy is my friend - who remembers the name of Herod now except who he was in relation to Christ the Great One.  All those who are on pedestals today are nothing compared to Christ.  Should always remember that.

P: Lord may I never be intimidated by those who seem to be important.

Title: Weak leaders render popular solutions rather than justice.

S: Luke 23:22-24 Pilate speaking "I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty, therefore I will have him punished and then release him." But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed.  So Pilate decided to grant their demand.

O: What is the saying - for evil to triumph all it takes is for good men to do nothing...... Here is a leader that allows his power to be usurped by a mob just because he does not have the guts to stand up to them.......   How often this happens still.

A: All was in God's plan however the sequence of events uses sinful men to usurp justice .  We should always defend justice.

P: ?

Title:  A black man from Cyrene (a city in Libya)was just a bystander and yet his life is changed forever..... as he carries the cross of Christ.

S:Luke 23:26.....They siezed Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

O: Perhaps this man Simon had come all this way to worship. He was from Libya and was probably black.  If he had come to worship and he had blood on him he would be unclean and not be able to worship - come all that way and now not be able to worship.... think he is mentioned with his wife and sons as followers of Jesus later in the gospels --- what a chance meeting and what a change of life.

A: Some things that happen on the way to the main event are the real and crucial events in our life.  

P: Never get so distracted by personal agenda to miss out on the great events of life..... serving Jesus.

Title:  How often have we "stood at a distance" when we call ourselves Christians?

S: Luke 23: But all those that knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

O: How often do we just stand at a distance rather than speak up or defend Jesus.  This action is repeated in Peter and others who hang back and are not out there speaking and acting for the Christ they have followed for so long.

A:Don't deny Christ by hanging back and being afraid to speak on His behalf.

P: Lord help me speak up for you.

January 22, 2010, Exodus 3-5, Luke 22

Title: Has anyone seen God - face to face?

(S) Ex 3:6 "At this Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God."

(O) Exodus 33  says both that Moses saw God face to face as a friend and that no man has seen God at any time and lived. Jacob wrestles with either an angel or with God depending on how you read it but I think with God - as it says "I saw God face to face and yet my life was spared"  the only way I think that Jacob may not have really seen His face is that it was before the sun came up and it was dark.   So is there a contradiction or what -  will need this one explained. 

(A) I really seem to go through my bible looking for things that seem odd to me and so this is not a blog for anyone else but me I think.  This issue of some places saying that no man has seen God face to face and other places that Jacob and Moses have seen God face to face seems like a contradiction.  You could say that it is a spiritual reference and not physically seeing God face to face but that does not really make sense as we are talking about a physical encounter with Moses and the burning bush, and the giving of the tablets and Jacob wrestling with God.  Well I am  not going to stop going through my Bible looking for things that I find odd as this keeps me totally fascinated with this book and there are always new questions. One day, when I get to heaven, God will answer all these questions......I am sure they speak Hebrew there.  ha ha.

(P) God help me find out answers to my many, many questions.... one answer here and there would suffice.

Title: God watches over us even when we are going through troubles but this does not mean that he stops the troubles.

(S) Ex 3:16b "I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt."

(O) God can see our suffering however His plan may not be for today and we have to just wait and not assume that he just does not care.  He knows that we are in Egypt (metaphorically speaking) and he knows that we must leave but the leader and the route are according to His timing.

(A) We have an Egypt - a very long and overwhelming Egypt - I wonder when Moses leads us out....... and where is this Moses?,

(P) Egypt - how much longer?

Title: When on a God directed mission - it is not wrong to ask for silver, gold and clothing - and plunder those you leave behind.

(S) Ex. 3:22 "Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters.  And so you will plunder the Egyptians."

(O) As people leave for the mission field  or go on other initiatives in obedience to God we tend to raise small amounts of money to give them.......  here they took the silver the gold, clothes and plundered the people they left behind.  What a concept.  What chutzpah!  Must have been Jews.

(A) It is quite okay to ask for funds if you are going on a God directed endeavor - do not be embarrassed ask..... you might be surprised.

(P) Even though Paul was a tent maker and a missionary - it seems here that it is okay to ask for support when going out at God's command. I pray for those who are afraid to ask for support as they go forward to do battle for God - give courage in asking for financial help as well.

 Title:  I am sure you don't want me to do this God.

(S) Ex 4:1"Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me of listen to me and say,  'The Lord did not appear to you?'

(O) That is how I think - how could I do this work - impossible - the last thing on my husband's heart and so I cannot.  Do not underestimate God - my Bonny said that she was amazed at who actually was doing mission work - the elderly, some with no language skills at all came and pushed the carts with literature, some who scraped together every nickel they had in order to go and share the gospel with these people who are so different than us.

(A) Nothing is impossible if you just put one foot out there and start.

(P) What is the Nike ad - just do it.

Title:  How to gain instant eloquence.

(S) Ex 4:10-11 "Moses said to the Lord, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent........ The Lord said to him, "Who gave man his mouth?".....Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

(O) Obedience followed by action is the formula that God gives for eloquence ...... now in Moses case this was thwarted by Moses inability to trust and believe God and so God provided Aaron to speak for him.

(A) Lips moving - if we have prayed and studied than perhaps the next step is to move our lips.

(P) Help me to move my lips for you oh God.

Title:  Why would God want to kill Moses - after He has told him that Moses will be chosen to speak for God?

(s) Ex. 4:24 "At a lodging place on the way the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him."

(O) God is angry with Moses because Moses is not sure he is the one who should speak to the pharaoh for his people but where does this verse come from that the Lord was "about to kill him."?  The next bit is about the circumcision Moses son - maybe God could not let Moses go to Egypt as the voice of God without obeying the command of circumcision for his son. I am not even sure if Moses was circumcised however it seems that by Ziporah circumcising her son - Moses is forgiven for not obeying that command and his life is spared.

(A) Think this is just an example of the assertion that 'obedience is better than sacrifice' .......  even though Moses was going to Egypt as God asked he had not circumcised his son and so was not completely obedient - disobedience meant death - even though it was Moses.

(P) Lord show me the disobedient places in my life so I can correct them.  I know what they are.

Title: Bricks without straw - ????

S: Ex. 5:6 "You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota.

O: I have read this many times and always read it that they were leaving the straw out of the bricks - no they just had to gather their own.... something added to the job for no additional reward.

A: I have to read more closely - often I assume because I read through parts that I know well too quickly - how foolish of me.

Title:  Obedience to God does not guarantee a trouble free expedition.mS: Ex 5:22 "Moses returned to the Lord and said, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people?  Is this why you sent me?

O:  Here is Moses carrying out God's orders and yet everything is going wrong.  It seems that obedience has made the situation worse and yet we have read the end of the book and know that they will come through this and  get out of Egypt - but the process of redemption will not be easy - and so it is not easy for man and salvation does not mean an instant bed of roses for the person that is saved out of Egypt.  It only means that God is with you and you can trust that he is there to help you through each trial.

A:  Hang in there - the trial is long but the reward is great.

P: Always know that God is faithful.

Luke 22  Story of the Passover and Judas betraying Jesus , The Last supper, Jesus prays on the mount of olives, Jesus arrested, Peter disowns Jesus, Jesus before Pilate and a Herod.

S: Luke 1:1 "Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread was approaching , and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way  to get rid of Jesus,"

O: How interesting that the betrayal of Jesus and his death is at the time of the Passover - the Passover is to commemorate the fleeing from Egypt and the salvation of the Jews and the death of Jesus is about the salvation of not only the Jews but the world.  Always a perfect picture.

A: Timing to God is everything -  he does provide - but often when we almost give up - He is Jehovah jirah - God the Provider however when this term was used - jirah - it was when Abraham went up to make a sacrifice as God commanded and he had nothing with him and yet God wanted a blood sacrifice so he was just about to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac when out of the thicket God provided a ram - and there it was the sacrifice at the very last minute - that was when God the provider - Jehovah Jirah was used. And so just when things become impossible --- at that last minute - when we have given up on every other solution but God - then God solves the problem.

P: Lord give me the patience to wait for your answers.

Title:  Does the passage in Luke say anything about the ritual of keeping the ceremony of the Holy Communion as we keep it today?

S: Luke 22:19-20 "And he took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."

O: Was it just to break this bread and drink this wine at this particular special upper room Passover feast and to think about Christ their mentor and leader who was about to be sacrificed.  They do not get the significance of the blood that will spare them from death much like the passover but Jesus is giving them symbolic language trying to explain to them what is about to take place.  Are we like Jews to keep a ceremony - it does not say that - what we are doing is carrying on old ceremonies - first from the Passover and then from the Catholic church who liked ritual and ceremonies - I do not see that this verse says that we are to do this forever but rather that at this meal - the last supper - Jesus wanted them to think about Him as they broke the bread and drank the cup.

A: Taking communion seems like a nice way to remember Jesus death - however as far as I read this we  are not requested to do this on a regular basis.

P: There are many churches that do not take Communion (Salvation Army)and others that feel that if you do not do this ritual every single week you are neglecting your soul (Catholics and the Brethern) and yet this verse is really quite vague.  Lord thanks for the reprieve here I was not sure but now I will not feel any guilt about not taking Communion after this as the church I go to does not observe this custom.

Title:  Who will judge the twelve tribes of Israel in the new kingdom?

S: Luke 22:29  (This is being said at the last supper with the 12 disciples including Judas there) "I confer on you a kingdom, just as my father conferred one on me, so that ou may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel"

O: So the 12 disciples, including Judas will judge the twelve tribes of Israel --- there is no aside here saying the 12 tribes of Israel will be judged by 12 disciples - except for Judas - he will be replaced by someone else - no this comment is left out -- this verse seems wrong to me..... 

A : Often I feel like the Ethiopian by the side of road trying to figure out the scriptures - yet another verse that does not make sense to me.

P: I am writing a blog - dear God - so many unanswered questions - is there not a single learned person that could answer some of these questions.

Title:  Christians - people of peace or sword fighters?

S:Luke 22:36 He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one."

O: I guess the "blessed are the peace makers" is not for the disciples - they are to live by the sword in this passage but is this just for he disciples - or is it for us too.  Is this a contradiction - we are to live peaceable with all men and yet we are to take up with a sword?????

A: What am I to do with this verse - go out and buy a gun - defend my right to own a weapon - never thought that the Bible taught violence --- this verse seems to contradicting a lot of other scripture .  Could this be just for the disciples as they were all martyrs...... but should they not- have defended themselves and killed to preserve their own lives -- don't think so.

P: Another verse that I do not think seems right - bearing arms seems like an unusual request but the Crusaders fought the Moors - the Christians support the war in the middle east right now --- maybe we are suppose to buy swords -- dear Lord - would not mind an answer on this one??

Title:  Sorrow and sadness is exhausting.

S: Luke 22:45 "When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow."

O: When you see people who are always tired - perhaps they are exhausted from sorrow.......

A: I know several people who always complain of exhaustion -- perhaps it is exhaustion but perhaps it is sorrow and I should ask a few questions to see if they need help.

P: I thought of a few people like this and I need to pray for them and also find out what their sorrow is.

Title:  Jesus told the disciples to buy swords, so they do, then when they use them he reprimands them. 

S: Luke 22:49-51 "When Jesus followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.  But Jesus answered,  "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him."

O: Jesus in my observation above told the disciples to go and buy swords and they went out and bought two swords.... which Jesus said would be adequate.  But then when they go to use them Jesus rebukes them for using the swords that He had told them to go and get.  What is with this? Must have been a confusing message to the disciples as it really is confusing to me.

A: So we are either to have weapons and not use them ---- not sure......

P: Lord, here is another verse I would like clarification on.

 

January 21, 2010, Exodus 1 & 2, Psalms 88, Luke 21

Title: The God fearing generation dies off.

(S) Exodus 1:6 "Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, but the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them."

(O) I think that war is not the best way to take over a country - breeding is.  A small number can enter a county - in this case a family - and can keep breeding with 12 sons and who knows how many daughters and become so numerous that they can take over the running of the land.  War however is costly and a risk - many will die and you may not win.  The Jews did take part politically in the countries they lived in - Esther married the King of Persia - The problem is that by assimilating into a different culture there is a risk of losing your roots and becoming as faithless as the country you live in.  I think that North America started out with great hopes but we have lost our Christian heritage and this is not what the early settlers intended.

(A) Could this land be a Christian land again - of course - nothing is impossible for God but it will take passion and holiness on the part of present Christians --- we will have to be like the early Church who gave up all for their faith.

(P) Lord give us passion like the early disciples.

Title : Kill the Jewish baby boys.

(S) Ex. 1:16"When you observe the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them  on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him;"

(O) Killing off the Jews has been tried so many times but they are still here.  God had a plan to bring Christ through the Jewish people and then to bring them to true faith in Jesus.

(A) No matter how you try to foil God's plan - it cannot be done.

(P) When the plan seems strange and there are desert times and times of wandering around being lost, and times in Egypt, help me to realize that you have a grand plan that you are working out.

Title: Moses a Jew is brought up by Pharaoh's daughter - a privileged upbringing but murders an Egyptian and must flee to Midian where he lives and marries.

(S) Ex 2:22 "I have become an alien in a foreign land."

(O) Why do we not get to stay in the land we are born in our whole lives.  My children may not all live near me - this makes me sad.  I really love them and the thought of them living in a foreign land upsets me however if  God intends to do things through their lives living elsewhere than I should not stand in their way.  

(P) When God is in on the plan it will be good - just have to wait and see.

Title: Early to bed and early to rise - makes you health, wealthy and wise.

(S) Psalm 88: 13 "But I cry to you for help O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you in the morning."

(O) It always says that we are to speak to God in the morning - not in the evening like I am doing now. Must start doing this.

(A)I am aiming for morning prayer and reading but am not there yet.

(P)God help me to get up and do my devotions in the morning.

Title:  God will help us speak in his behalf.

(S)Luke 21:15 "For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict."

(O) We feel so inadequate to open the scriptures to people but it really is our lack of faith as God promises that he will give us words.  Failing to speak really is pride in ourselves thinking that we are suppose to be talented speakers when really it is our folly that God turns into wisdom through his strength.

(A) Lord help me to trust that you are the one who is speaking and to just open my mouth and trust you.

(P) Lord give me courage.

January 20, 2010, Genesis 49 & 50, Psalm 8, Luke 20

Title:  From the book of Genesis - The coming King Jesus is predicted

(S) Gen 49:10 "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his. He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch. He will wash his garments in wine,"

(O) I like that - that the scepter and the ruler's staff is waiting - until he comes to whom it belongs - wow - all the foreshadowing that the king is coming.... no wonder they were looking for a regal type ruler and king rather than a baby in a manger --- this sounds like a ruler holding a scepter with the nations in obedience - not the way Jesus came the first time.... but many of the descriptions of Christ are the same descriptions that are used in the New Testament --- "I am the vine"  .

(A) The two images of Jesus are often portrayed - the vine - the one who has robes that are colored red - in blood of grapes - the suffering Jesus - but also the returning and victorious Jesus with a sceptor - that is why there was confusion.  I wonder what kind of a Jesus I think about - a suffering Jesus or a victorious one.  As He lives victorious - I should think about him as a strong conqueror - and not as a weak compliant God.

(P) God help me to see you as a strong deliverer - able to do the impossible.

Title: The burial place

(S) Gen 49:30-31 (Jacob speaking)  "Bury me with my fathers in the the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham bought as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite, along with the field.  There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah.."

(O) Here we are again - at this place the some call Mecca - no mention of Ishmael or Hagar....--- another thing - no mention of Rachel the wife that he  loved and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin - nor of Bilhah and Zilpah who each had 2 sons by Jacob.....  or perhaps only Leah is of importance because she is the mother of Judah - who is the ancestor of Christ.

(A) ??

(P)??

Title:  What is the concept of after death to the people of Genesis?

(S) Gen 49:33 "When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people."

(O) 1. He is giving instructions to his sons until his last breath.  2.  He dies and then is gathered to his people - is this heaven - where are his people - is there an afterlife if there is no salvation through Christ at this point - if so - who went there - the righteous I assume - but 

(A) As we get older our children no longer regard our decisions in the same way as we do lose our ability to be as good as we once were..... and yet here is Jacob - giving instructions until his last breath... would things survive if our children did not handle those things we can no longer handle.... no - instructions at some point must be limited and selective as they become better at many things......

(P) Help us pass on instructions and training wisely - and to let go where we should...

Notes

• Jacob was embalmed
• The Egyptians mourned for Jacob seventy days - and he was a despised Hebrew
• Joseph takes Jacob to bury him in Canaan and all the Pharaoh's dignitaries of his court accompany him...... what a send off.
• When they came to the Jordan the lamented loudly for 7 days
• they buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah
• This huge company and Joseph returned to Egypt

Title:  Receiving forgiveness - very difficult for most people.

(S) Gen 50:15 "When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?"

(O) I once heard of a minister who put an imaginary hat at the front of the church and asked everyone to put all their mistakes and things that they wanted forgiveness for, all of their hurts, grudges, etc.     He then waited as people came up and pretended to drop them in --- he then said that in real life that most people would come back and take those things back that they had dropped in the hat as they had lived with those hurts and lack of feeling forgiven for so long that we would find it hard to live without these hangups.

(A) When God forgives us - he throws it in the deepest ocean - when we truly forgive someone - we do not think of it anymore - therefore if someone has forgiven us - it is the same and we should not think of it anymore and we should realize that God has forgotten our mistakes and so should we.

(P) Never think of things we have done wrong if God does not remember them - just get on with living.

Title:  Are we lower or higher than angels???

(S) Psalm 8:5 "You made him (man) a little lower than the heavenly beings."

(O) In Corinthians it says we will judge angels (that is Christians will judge angels) and so when we are saved our status as ordinary human changes and like Christ we become sons and daughters of God - we are washed and without sin and so now we change status and are higher than the angels.

(A) Angels are doing battle for us daily holding back the evil that is attacking us but just the fact that we will judge angels -- is interesting - they can fall - like Lucifer ..... should be realizing the great battle that goes on to protect us daily and be thankful.\

(P) Thank you Lord for your daily protection that I would be amazed at if I knew or could see it.

Title:  Yes those that were righteous according to their knowledge will be resurrected.  This answers my question above re Genesis.\

(S) Luke 20:37  (Jesus speaking)  "..even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord 'the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.  He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive."

(O) There is a resurrection - for those who were righteous before Christ came - they were judged according to their knowledge and opportunities - and will be resurrected.

Title:  Watch out for that feeling that I am important.

(S) Luke 20:46 "Beware of the teachers.....love to be greeted in the marketplace... have the most important seats.... devour widows houses.... for a show make lengthy prayers... Such men will be punished most severely.

(A) The warning here is clear - stay humble if you are a teacher of the word of God or you will be in very great trouble.  Not a job to be taken lightly.

(P) Knowledge comes with the responsibility to be very humble.....help with that challenge oh Lord. 

January 19, 2010, Gen. 47 & 48, Psalm 10, Luke 19

Title:  Jacob at the age of 130 blesses the Pharaoh - putting the pharaoh under the blessing.

(S) Gen 47:10 "Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.

(O) The pharaoh not only gives Joseph and his father and his brothers property in the best part of the land but Jacob gets an audience with the King.

January 18, 2010, Genesis 44-46, Luke 18

.Title:  So easy to have a little 'worldliness' in our lives even when we think we are devoted to God. 

(S) Gen. 44:5 "Isn't this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination"

(O) Here I am thinking Joseph is a Godly man and his goodness has rescued his brothers from death - but the cup that his steward put in his brothers bags to trick them into bringing his young brother Benjamin and his father to him is a divination cup. Perhaps the steward just said that to make the cup seem important to Joseph's brothers.  In Deut. 18:10-12 "Let no one be found among you who .... practices divination...Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord......"

(A) How often our relationships lead us astray -- we get too close to the flame so to speak --- Joseph has come this far - living through terrible events and preserved by God's goodness - and yet he is consulting a divination cup on occasion - just a little sin on the side ---  perhaps the religion of his Egyptian wife  --- so little is mentioned regarding this - just that this cup is put in his brother's bags - but it says so much.

(P) Dear Lord - show us those little sins that take us away from you - those things that we don't even mention but are in the details of how we live... bring us closer.

Title:  Judah - proposes that he take the place of his brother as slave - the foreshadowing of the one who will take our place.

(S) Gen 44:33-34  "Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord's slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? Do not let me see the misery that would come upon my father."

(O) Judah is compassionate man - it is from him that the line of Christ comes.  It is funny that he is the child of Leah and Jacob and not from the wife Rachel that Jacob loved.  I think that Rachel blew it because she was such an idol worshiper.....stealing idols from her father's house.

(P) Lord - help us to care enough about our brothers and sisters to want to stand in place of them for their needs.  Went to volunteer session this morning for Olympic volunteers - this is a challenge - God free me up so I can serve in new ways - I would like to help with more than just family - could you arrange dear Lord?

Title:  Strong men cry - when it comes to love of family.

(S) Gen. 45:2 " And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's household heard about it."

(O) This is a couple of times that Joseph weeps for love of his family..... especially his youngest brother and his father.  He is in charge of the greatest nation in the world and yet - a relationship problem with his family brings him to his knees in grief.  We should be like that - but we pick and choose who we will love with all our hearts - even within our families.  This family has done some wrong things to each other - but now - there is a renewed love - Judah wanting to take Benjamin's place - and Joseph providing for his brothers needs.  

(P) Dear Lord - give me Joseph's passion for all of my family. 

Title:  When difficulties come - perhaps it is for some greater good in God's plan."

(S) Gen 45:7-8 "But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.  So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.  He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt."

(O)

1. God sent him - not anyone else. 
2. God sent him ahead of the others - a person that went ahead for his families sake. 
3. It was to save the remnant of the Jews on the earth - a preservation of the race.
4. It was to save their lives - individually - like salvation. 
5. He says God made him a father to Pharaoh - interesting choice of words - he had lost his own family and was made into part of the family by the Pharaoh.
6. He has the top job in Egypt - thanks to God.  

Title:  There is nothing as wonderful as forgiveness within a family.

(S) Gen 45:15 "And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them.  Afterward his brothers talked with him."

(O) This is not just a hand shake - this is true forgiveness and love.  This is how family forgiveness should be.  

(A) There are those in my extended family that I do not see often enough as there are so many in this large family - and yet love and true caring is needed.  This is a something that is needed but how will it be accomplished.  

(P) Lord help me to figure out how to reconnect with those people in my family that I have been negligent in keeping in contact with.

Title:  It doesn't matter how old you are - if God sends you to Egypt - go - it is for His own good purposes.

(S) Gen 46:3 "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.  I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again."

(O) Jacob was old by this time - and yet he went off to Egypt and left his home because God said do it -  and the promise is there that all will be well.

(A) Never live in a box thinking that this is all that God has for us because we are grandparents - who knows - if God has a plan - it will be fine - go with it.

(P) God give me the courage to live on the edge a little more - willing to go with the adventure if it is in your plan..... am not as adventurous as when I was younger but with your help I am willing.

Note:  Not only are all Hebrews detestable to the Egyptians but also all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians - talk about going to a place where everybody hates you... but going anyway because it is God's will.

Title:  Never give up on praying for those things that  God has put on my heart to pray for.

(S) Luke 18:1 "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."  (Parable of woman who nags an unpleasant judge and gets her way because of her constant requests)

(P) Our 2 sons.

Title:  The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector praying.

(S) Luke 18:13-14 "But the tax collector stood at a distance.  He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, "God, have mercy on me a sinner." I tell you that this man rather than the other went home justified before God."

(O) The key to this Christian walk is humility - to realize that we did nothing to deserve the goodness of God toward us.  This realization that but for God's grace we all are just the same - I am not there yet but I know that being humble is the only way God will be able to use me.

(A) Pride always comes up - it is really sneaky as even lacking confidence sometimes is just being so proud that I do not want to look like a fool by making a mistake.

(P) God keep me humble and help me to be aware when I am not.

Title:  Dedicating children to Jesus

(S) Luke 18:15 "People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them."

(O) They brought babies, BABIES, to Jesus

(A) Only 2 of my grandchildren have been dedicated.  Will ask my children about this.

(P) That not only will these children be dedicated but that their parents will keep that promise and put God first so their children can see what that looks like.

Title:  Leave all for Christ.

(S) Luke 18:29 "Jesus said to them "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."

(O) This is why the early church was so successful --- they gave their all and even their lives.   We live in Canaan and in Egypt where we are enamored with the things of this world - they are so trivial when compared to the things that God offers - how foolish to spend a life gaining them.  Just heard of a friend who in the last 24 hours of his life - he was old - some unscrupulous people came and had him sign all his possessions over to them and the family was left with none of the things he had worked for all his life.  They will probably get away with it.  But perhaps it happens to us all as all the things we have are usually packed in boxes and sent out the the local donation store.  How foolish to spend a lifetime trying to get these temporal things.

(A) Oh Lord - help us to downsize and live with less.  We have happiness and a roof and food and that is more than most.

(P) Help us to get rid of much of this stuff and use the money for a better cause.

 

January 17, 2010, Genesis 42-43, Ps. 5, Luke 17

 Title:  It is all in the plan.

(S) Gen 42:6-7 "Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people.  So when Joseph's brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.  As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them."

(O) If Joseph's brothers had never sold him to be a slave in Egypt, if Joseph had never had a job with Potipher, if Potipher's wife had never falsely accused him of rape, if Joseph had never been put in an Egyptian jail, if Joseph had never interpreted the Pharaoh s dream and stored up food for when the famine came, if Joseph's brothers had not come and therefore been  spared of starvation -- especially Judah from whom the line of Christ would come, there would be no Jesus and no salvation.  All this so that Christ would come down to earth...and there is a verse that says that there is more rejoicing over the one that comes to Him than the 99 that were always in his fold.  

(A) What a lot of planning - just for the one - for me - for the few that come to Christ.

(P) What a difference it has made - that my parents were Christians - that my husband is a Christian - that I am - all because of God's plan to come to earth and provide salvation. ..... Thank you Lord.

Title:  It is human nature to think that we are all good people no matter what we have done.

(S)Gen 42:31 "But we said to him (Joseph) 'We are honest men; we are not spies. We were twelve brothers, sons of one father...."

(O) These men plotted to kill their brother, then sold him into slavery and yet when they meet this Egyptian leader (who is really Joseph) they say that they are honest men ..... probably for the last many years they have forgotten what they did to Joseph and go on with their lives thinking that they are honest men.  

(A)They did an evil thing but God turned it into good.  There is a verse like that Genesis 50:20 "you intended to harm me, but God meant it for good to accomplish what is now being done."  God can take those things that people meant to harm us with and turn them into good - even our poor choices he can turn it to good.

(P) Thanks for being a constant help in time of trouble - even when I do not know you are there.  

(S) Gen 43:32 "They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the ,Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians."

(O) Since the beginning of time it seems people have hated the Jews.  I like historical novels and in every time period Jews are considered detestable.  

(A) Jews have always been considered detestable and yet the U.S. is very supportive of the Jews - will the U.S. come under God's special protection because of this? Will God bless those who bless Jerusalem?

(P) Lord I pray for the peace of Jerusalem - for Jew, Arab and Christian alike.

Luke 5  

(s) "Morning by morning, O Lord, you hear my voice..."

(O) I know that I should do this time with God in the morning - before the day starts but I have a hard time doing it.  In the middle east the Muslims are called to prayer at 5:00 a.m. and they do it - why can this Christian not also do it?

(A) The Muslims show us up in their ability to get up early and worship - to get up early and spend time with God and what a difference it would make.

(P) Lord help me to start my day with you rather than reading and praying at the end of the day.

(S)pslam 5:12 "For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield."

Luke 17

(S) Luke 17:1 "Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come."

(O) What do I do that causes someone else to be led astray - others watch our lives - if they think it is okay because I do it and then fall down then it is more than wrong it is an action that hurts someone else.  Awareness of this type of fault is very necessary.

(A) Need to be constantly aware of those actions that cause another to fall.

(P) Lord put a guard on my actions and the things I fail to do that prevent others from walking with you.

Title:  Only one of the 10 leppers that was healed came back to say thanks.

(S)Luke 17:15 "One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.  He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--- and he was a Samaritan."

(O) The Jews thought that the Samaritans were the lowest of people - and yet the verse notes that although 10 people were healed only one came back to say thanks and that one was a dreaded Samaritan.  He did not just say thanks - he threw himself at Jesus feet.  

(A) How thankful am I - I live as if , I deserved all this goodness that Jesus gives me - I should be throwing myself at Jesus feet in appreciation...... 

(P) God forgive me for my lack of appreciation and help me to be more thankful --- thank you for all you have done for me.

Title:  What is the Coming Kingdom of God like?

(S) Luke 17:20 "Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come visibly nor will people say, 'Here it is, or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."

(O) This is not a physical place - a place of heaven - so to speak but a changed state of the world since mankind has a spiritual inner change.  Are we looking for a visible heaven --- perhaps that is not the case --- I am not sure quite what that exactly means - "the kingdom of God is within you." but I am sure it does not mean some place with golden roads that is visible.

(A) I have a problem with imagining some type of heaven with golden streets and some of the people I love missing.  I think that heaven is not that at all - have to think about this concept for a long time yet - I am not there yet on a opinion of what this coming kingdom is like but perhaps by the end of this year with this blog and studying and reading I may have some sort of idea.  ...... a beginning of an idea at least.

(P) Thank you Lord that this Bible is not cut and dried and always new and interesting - it is an ongoing process to learn each day.

January 16, 2010, Genesis 39-41, Luke 16

Don't know how I do this but I lost the whole thing again.

Title:  Hang out with those whom "The Lord was with" and a little of that will fall on you.

(S) Gen 39:2-4 "The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered.....When his master saw that the Lord was with him.....Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant."

(O) Smart people know that if the "Lord is with" a person it might be a good idea to keep them nearby and perhaps part of your business.  Laban saw this and so did Potiphar and later Pharaoh of Egypt---- they knew that a little of that good will from God may fall on them.

(A) We should watch for these people - they are a blessing and being near them is a good thing.  Just took a collect call from the prison - told my nephew that he needs to learn this.

(P) Help the many I know that seem to seek out people that are leading them on the wrong path to do a complete turn around and hang out with those people that the Lord is blessing.  They might just be in jail but God is with them like he was with Joseph.

Title:  God has not forgotten us - even though the years seem to be passing.

(S)Gen 40:23 "The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. "

(O) After helping the kings cupbearer and baker while in jail - these people completely forgot Joseph - and 2 years went by while Joseph sat in jail falsely accused by Potiphar's wife.  I wonder if he felt forgotten.  It was not the right time - God's time - when the Pharaoh had a dream that needed interpreting and the cupbearer remembered Joseph.  What if he left prison before that and could not be found - he would not have been made the head of Egypt by the pharaoh --- so timing is up to God - and He will do it better than we ever could.

(P) Well - it is easy to say - wait for God - but what if you really are in jail like my nephew who phoned me collect 10 minutes ago - when I told him what I had just read he told me about the sermon he had today about not looking back with regrets but only to look forward - the "once you have put your hand to the plow do not look back sermon." This is easier to say than to live - but live it we must - God give us the strength to wait for you to do what you do.

(S) Gen.41:43-44 "Thus he (pharaoh) put him (Joseph) in charge of the whole land of Egypt.  Then Pharaoh said to Joseph,"I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt."

(O) From prisoner to palace - that is what God can do with us if he chooses.  We underestimate what God can do but if are obedient and just do what we are suppose to do - God is able to bring about the impossible.

(A) We have to keep our chins up and keep on trusting God no matter what.

(P) I pray for the prisoners who have given up hope and are sure that God has forgotten them.  I thank God for those who go in and share the word in the prisons.

Title:  A bigger plan than just us. Joseph in charge of Egypt prepares for the famine by filling the storehouses.

(S)Gen.41:57 And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world.

(O) What if the Pharaoh was not wise enough to put Joseph in charge - what a different result for Egypt.

(A) Put God's blessed one in charge.

(P) Give us wisdom to realize who these people under your blessing are.

Luke 16

Title:  Can God trust us to do the task at hand.

(S)Luke 16:10-15 "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.......You cannot serve both God and Money.....What is highly valued among men is detestable  in God's sight."

(O) This does not mean just money - this means the talents that God gave us to do good --- are we doing it?  We are not just to do good for our own but for others. God sees the fallen sinner as valuable - and so should we - he sees the "least of these" as great and so should we.

(P)God give us your eyes to be able to see what is valuable.

Divorce:

(S) Luke 16:18 - "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

(O) What can one say to the above verse - what about Matthew 19 where only the one committing adultery has restrictions - are there contradictions here or does this verse mean what it says????

Title:  What will our reward be if we do not care about the needy now? The story of the rich man in hell and Lazarus the poor man in heaven.

(S ) Luke 16:25 "But Abraham replied 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony."

(O) We do not earn our way to heaven however if we are Christians we are to care for those less fortunate than us out of the goodness of our hearts.  If we do not how much better are we than anyone else.  

(A) We do not do good for reward but just because we cannot not do good.  (P)God help me to be more useful to you and to see the need of others.

January 15, 2010 Genesis 37 & 38, Psalm 7, Luke 15

Title: What will happen to our children if we do not set the example but rather choose to live in Canaan.

S:Gen. 37:17-18  So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan.  But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

O:These brothers have not grown up with religious instruction or morals but rather in a heathen atmosphere.  They have no conscience about killing their younger brother just because they are jealous of him.  Just because the land is good in Canaan and in the area of Sheschem and good fertile soil - Jacob stays there just like his father did.  But the cost to his family will be not worth the financial gain.

(A) What do we do just because it makes us a living and is convenient - do we also live in Canaan - and is our family affected.  For me to live in God's country would be to be involved in the church and caring for the needs of others more so that my children can see that life is not narcissistic.

(P) Thanks for helping me commit to a little more at church - very small  endeavor but a beginning. Also help me get some language courses. Must live by example - not in Canaan.

Title: The double standard

S: Gen 38:24 "Tamar is guilty of prostitution and as a result she is now pregnant.  Judah said, "Bring her out and have her burned to death."

(O)There always seems to be a double standard in the old testament - okay for the man to have prostitutes or several wives and concubines but should a woman have anyone except her husband's brother if her husband dies than she is to be put to death.  Judah thought he visited a prostitute but really he impregnated his daughter-in-law that should have been given to her dead husband's brother to carry on the family name.  I see that the carrying on the family name is more important than anything but the thought of burning a woman for having sex but doing nothing to the man seems odd to me --- but this is a different time.

(A) So many countries treat women differently than we do in the western world.  The people of Iran are afraid that western influence will turn their young girls into Britney Spears and we look at veiled women and think that they are completely downtrodden and need to be rescued.  Jesus treated people equally however what other cultures do not realize is that not all people living in a Christian culture is a Christian.  

(P)That women of other cultures will find out that embracing Christianity does not mean embracing immorality.

Luke 15  

The parables - the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son.

(S) Luke 15:20 "So he got up and went to his father.  But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."

(O) This is the story of the prodical son who goes off to seek his fortune in the sin of the world.  I have 4 sons and I really understand this story - my husband and wait - just like this father for the return to you God but how much more do you wait -- for each one to come back to you.

(A) The verse about the son says "he came to his senses" - it is hard to watch the process of learning that you are God - the almighty and you are waiting for each son or daughter to "come to his senses".  It is a good thing you are waiting.

(P)Bring them back please Lord.

January 14, Genesis 34-36, Luke 14

Title: Hanging out with a bad crowd

 

(S) Gen 34:1 "Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land. When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the ruler of that area, saw her, he took her and violated her."

(O) Dinah is hanging out with the girls from town rather than with her Jewish girlfriends (or in our case girls from church) and she runs into the cool guy of the opposing gang. Sort of a Westside story. This violates everything we believe in - "be not unequally yoked together." etc.

(A) We will end up with those we hang out with and she has been hanging out with the locals who do not believe in God. It is so important to be of the same faith when you hanging around other Christians.

Title:  Some mistakes are hard to undo.

(S)Gen 34:26-29 "They put Hamor and his son  Sheschem to the sword and took Dinah from Sheschem's house and left.  The sons of Jacob came upon the dead bodies and looted the city where their sister had been defiled.  ......They carried off all their wealth and all their women and children, taking as plunder everything in the houses."

(O) A young girl can cause her family great distress but making wrong choices.  Dinah should not have been raped however her poor choice of friends brought about a terrible sequence of events - murder, war and 2 nations that would no longer be able to co-exist.Gen

(A) Where my children live and go to school and later their friendships will determine the shape of their lives.  Important for us to help them make wise choices by keeping the standards high and making church and church involvement a strong habit and influence in our lives.

(P) Lord help me get involved at church.

Title:  Jacob commits to monotheism

(S) Gen 35:2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes.  Then come let up go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress..."

(O) So - here it is - where the great argument between the Muslims and the Christians starts - Jacob commits to monotheism and builds an altar - How can this be construed to be anything but what it is - a place named Bethel - and not more.

(A) We cannot worship a place anymore that we can worship an idol - there should not be any worshipping at Bethel - God is a spirit and we must worship Him in spirit. Believing that God is both a spirit and has had while on earth a body and lives in heaven as God Almighty does not make him 3 gods but rather One God with more than one way of presenting Himself - both faiths believe in monotheism.

(P) I pray for peace in the middle east.

Note:  I often forget that the 12 sons of Jacob are really from 4 women and not just the 2 daughters of Laban.  There does not seem to be any difference in having a son with your wife's maid or from a wife as each of these sons seem to have equality of status.  Why then is it such a big deal between Isaac and Ishmael?  I guess it is just whatever God declares and the promise was to be through Sarah and not through Hagar and so it is disobedience in Abraham not trusting God to carry out His impossible promise.

Title:  Being humble

(S)Luke 14:11    "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

(O) This is an exhortation to be humble.  How do we know if we are humble or not ---- how do others perceive us?  How do we act - I wish I knew if I acted humble or not because I am not sure.

(A) It would be good to ask others whether they perceive us as humble or not.

(P) Lord let me know if I am haughty or proud.  Help me to be humble.

Title:  Invite the needy and not family for meals.

(S) Luke 14:13 "When you give a banquet invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed.

(O) Don't do very much of this - just when the Agape group come over - should do more.

(A) Someone should take over my sister-in-law Shirley's task of inviting the above --- 

(P) This task needs more attention - God make me available.

Title  We are to give up everything we have???

(S)Luke 14:33 "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."

(O) This is quite a harsh verse.  I do not know of anyone who has given up everything he has.

(A) I think we have to hold possessions loosely and be willing to give them up - but I think that the willingness and the act of giving up possessions is the ideal.

(P) Lord help me to hold thinks a little less tightly.

January 13, Genesis 31-33, Luke 13

I had finished all the readings last night but the autosave did not save so have to read over again- woke up at 5:00 this morning thinking about it - little frustrating but there must be something I am to learn - so doing it again.

Title: Though the odds are against Jacob's success - God is blessing him and so everything turns out right financially for him.
(S) Gen 31:7-9 "your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times. However, God has not allowed him to harm me. If he said, "The speckled ones will be your wages, 'then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young"
(O) When God decides to bless us - it is impossible to thwart Him no matter the roadblocks thrown in the way. However this blessing may cause jealousy in others.
(A) What makes the difference in life is the blessing - some will be blessed financially and others with their families and happiness - it really has little to do with the circumstances and more to do with God's prerogative - that seems unfair - but that is the way it is.
(P) Help me to get it - this arbitrary will of God does not seem right - but it must be accepted. Help me to accept it.

Title: Jacob has always been a liar and cheater and he continues this with Laban - will he ever change? Can a deceiver change when he has success.
(S) Gen 31:20 "Moreover Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was running away.
(O) Jacob has run his life on cheating and lying and continues to do so. He has gained great wealth while working for Laban and yet he takes off without telling him. All Labans family is jealous of Jacob and do not like him because of the success that God has given him.
(A) Jacob never faces up to things but yet things turn up roses for him. I don't like Jacob - I always think that honesty and goodness pays off - but that is not the case here. What is the application - I don't know - that it is good to be a liar and a cheat and God will bless you - no that can't be it - that the will of God will prevail in spite of the fact that we are all fallen sinners.
(P) Lord, help this fallen sinner - I think I am better than Jacob - but we are all the same as Jacob - and you saved us anyway.

Title: Those around us will be like us.
(S) Gen 31:34 "Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel's saddle and was sitting on them."
(O) Jacob's mother Rebekah was a liar - influencing Jacob to steal the blessing from Esau and now Rachel his wife is both an idol worshipper and a thief and a liar - when she is asked about the stolen idols.
(A) Lies have a way of expanding. Laban here is not a bad man and for that matter neither was Esau - but the ones that God chooses to bless - not always the best people.
(P) O Lord - I would like to fix the world so that it is fair - and it just is not - help me accept this.

Title: Jacob worked hard for 20 years for Laban - he becomes wealthy - and yet he does not see that Laban gave him a chance - or he would have had nothing.
(S) Gen 31:40-41 "This was my situation: the heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes. It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household."
(O) Even though Jacob is blessed he still has to work hard for success - however without the chance that Laban gave him as a son - he would have not had the first goat...... would he have done the same elsewhere - I doubt it.
(A) Yes, God blesses us with opportunities but we must also work diligently - there was no free ride even though you are blessed.
(P) Are we suppose to work night and day? Are we suppose to have as much as Jacob has? God, where is the balance - where is the "take no cloak with you" here? I think the only message I can see hear is that God will take the worst of sinners and give them the kingdom - because he is our loving father - and the riches are really - salvation and all that God has to offer - not herds and things in quantity. God help me to understand what we are to have - and what is superfluous.

Title: Mizpah - rather than an agreement between two friends is really an agreement between two enemies that really do not trust each other.
(S) Gen 31:49-50 "It was called Mizpah, because he said, "May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. If you mistreat my daughters or if you take an wives besides my daughters even though no one is with us, remember that God is a witness between you and me."
(O) I always thought that this saying was between two close friends - people where those little mizpah cut in two pieces pennants as friends leave each other - really it is a deal between two people that do not trust each other. The deal is - don't cheat on my daughter or else God will see you. This agreement however brings a healing between the two relatives - as Laban later blessed his daughters before they left.
(A) Reading the Bible for over 50 years and I am just now starting to see things I have never seen before. Did not know that mizpah was really just a warning not to cheat on my daughters.
(P) Lord help me remember - you are watching me - when I am away from you spiritually - you are still there and watching me.

Title: Jacob is always having something to do with angels. Think he has the most angel meeting occasions of anyone else that I can recall in the Bible.
(S) Gen 32:1 "Jacob also went on his way and the angels of God met him."
(O) I know that the angels of God are in the heavenlies doing battle for us but I do not sense them or see them like Jacob does - I wonder if we should?
(A) Saw a skit once where the angels are doing battle with all the hordes of hell for our souls as we are tempted to do wrong things. Think that Jacob can see the angels as they are really doing double time for him and he knows they are there.
(P) Lord thank you for the angels that are constantly surrounding and protecting us against so many things that might hurt us in life.

Title: Ever the coward Jacob is full of "fear" and "distress" as he approaches Esau and he sends his non favoured family ahead of him, then he sends everyone else and stays back himself - what a chicken
(S) Gen 32:16 "Go ahead of me, and keep some space between the herds."
(O) I really do not like this guy - he uses deceit to get the blessing and then he sends his servants and and family ahead of him because he is so afraid of Esau - after 20 years - I like Esau better.
(A) Accept it - God blesses cowards and cheats and in fact gives them the inheritance of everything - that is because the Bible is demonstrating a "type" it is always what Jesus has done for us sinners.
(P) Lord thanks that you have saved - even me. I am just like Jacob only - I think so often that I am not.

Title: A man wrestles with Jacob - perhaps not God after all.
(S)Gen 32:24 "So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not over power him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man." The man says to him "You have struggled with God and with men and have overcome" . Gen 32:28 Is this figurative or a reality?
(O) The MAN asks Jacob what his name is? If it is God why does he not have the power to over power Jacob? If it is God why does he not know Jacob's name? If it is God then why does it keep saying that it was a man that wrestled with Jacob? I think it was as it says a MAN that wrestled with Jacob. Now angels are always posing as men and Jacob has a lot of interactions with angels and so I a proposing that this man that fought with Jacob was really an angel that looked like a man. The hebrew word here apparently in malek or messenger or another word for angel. It is the MAN that says Jacob has struggled with God. If it is God then this being that is physical in order to struggle with another man would have to have a body and God is a spirit (and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth). It is Jacob that says he "saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared". (Gen32:30) But the Bible also says that No man has seen God at anytime. (John 1:18) so - is Jacob the liar - lying here? If you see God the theory is that after that you must die. Jacob goes on living. The thing was it was night and dark - how did he see God?
(A) We all like Jacob wrestle with men and with God in spirit. The goal is to see you.
(P) Help us to overcome our battles and to see you.

Note: The whole salvation scenario is here - Jacob struggles with men and with God - he is touched by God - he renews his faith - he is a new creature with a new name - Israel - this is the story of redemption.

Luke 13 - Repent or perish - same as Jacob's story
(S)Gen. 13:2 "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this way: I tell you no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
(O) Somehow I have it in my head that I am not as bad as Jacob - well the good old Bible has just told me no - these Galileans were probably sacrificed by Herod and perhaps they were good people - but it does not matter - there is not one good but God and the moment we forget that we are in trouble.
(A) God help me to see myself for who I am - I am just as deceitful as Jacob and no better.
(P) Lord forgive me for that pride that says I am not such a bad person after all.

Title: God gives us another chance to bear fruit before throwing us off the job.
(S) Luke 13:8 "Sir, " the man replied, ' leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"
(O) Well God gives a little more time to get out there and do His work - will I take advantage of it or not?
(A) God is generous - I have not been doing much with most of my 3 score and so with God's help I would like to get on with it for the 10 or more ....
(P) Lord help me to get up and get going.

Title: The Jews will one day say:
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Luke 13: 35b

January 12, 2010 Gen 29 & 30, Luke 12

Title: How far east does Jacob go?
(S)Gen 29:1 Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern people.
(O) I am not sure how far east Jacob went but Wikkipedia says Haran is southeast Turkey.

Title: Jacob finds Rachel
(S)Gen 29:9 "Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess. When Jacob saw Rachel daughter of Laban, his mother's brother, and Laban's sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle's sheep. Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and began to weep aloud."
(O) I really do not like Jacob much. He is a deceiver and he is loud and pushy - but God loved him and he loved God.
(A) I really have a problem with this man Jacob - my grandfather's last name was Jacob - I gave my son a middle name of Jacob - but now that I know him better I have a problem with him. The only thing about Jacob is that he makes mistakes then he chooses to follow God only and is committed to God. I guess that is why God chose him over Esau - even why today he chooses the one who follows God over just a good person who does not follow God.
(P) There are many Christians who are not that good but they do have a heart for God - really we are all just sinners saved by grace - so we must not judge fellow Christians who haven't got it together - as the bumper sticker says "God isn't finished with me yet" - God help me to understand the shortcomings of Christians who are unpleasant - we are all just equally messed up - but for Christ's help.

Title: Two wives in 2 weeks.
(S) Gen 29:28-30 He finished out the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife....Jacob lay with Rachel also.
(O) I always learned in church that Jacob had to work 7 years for Leah and then before he got Rachel he had to work another 7 years. Well this says he got Rachel the week after he got Leah.... he just had to work for her for 7 more years.

Title: The heartache of being barren.
(S) Gen 30:22 "Then God remembered Rachel; he listed to her and opened her womb. she became pregnant and gave gave birth to a son and said, "God has taken away my disgrace." She named him Joseph.
(O) Barrenness causes great sadness and I must be aware of those who suffer as I have many children and grandchildren but I know many who would love to and do not.
(A) Be aware and care and pray for those who want children but have not gotten there yet.
(P) God I pray for the many couples I know that would love children and do not have them yet. There is nothing too hard for you.

Title: The Evil side has information too.
(S) Gen 30:27-28"I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me (Laban) because of you that the Lord has blessed me because of you," He added, "Name your wages."
(O) At anytime the evil side is waiting to have us go there rather than God - and we might get some answers that are just what we want to hear - but at what cost - we have sold our soul for a little bit of this world's information and treasure. What kind of a deal is that?
(A) We are all tempted with a little larceny, a deal with the devil so to speak - however doing the wrong thing will always give rewards that are temporary.
(P) Lord - help me always to remember that a little evil never justifies any gain at all.

Title: Give me the worst deal and with God's help I will still succeed.
(S) Gen 30:32 Let me go through all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, every spotted or speckled goat. They will be my wages."
(O) Just like Abraham and Lot being given the best land - rather than taking the best of everything - Jacob says to Laban - give me all that is spotted or speckled - or imperfect - and what happens ---- Jacob wins. But God turned misfortune to fortune for for Jacob - every animal is pregnant.
and "So the weak animals went to Laban and the strong ones to Jacob." Gen. 30:42b
(A) God really is arbitrary - but blessing does not necessarily mean money - it could just mean good people that surround you, etc.
(P) God help us to understand your providence.

Luke 12 - Warnings and encouragements
(S) Luke 12:2 "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known."
(O) I note that Jesus just like a rabbi - first teaches his entourage - His 12 disciples. The message is nothing we do is secret. Every sin is exposed in the end. God knows us - even our secret thoughts - that is pretty unnerving.
(A) We are to live knowing that God knows everything about us.
(P) God help me to please you.

Title: We are to fear anything that jeopardizes our soul.
(S) Gen 12:4 "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more......Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell.
(O) The soul - lost so subtly - too much work, a mortgage, a million commitments, too much T.V., anything that separates us from putting God first in our lives - many, many things that we sell out for and forget entirely about God and live our lives with that 1 hour on Sunday and little more thought.
(A) We must fear these distractions - that kill the soul - they are the enemy.
The thing is to realize them as they creep up on us - to be aware of all the things that separate us from God.
(P) God keep me aware of anything that separates me from you.

Title: Just do it.
(S) Luke 12:11b-12 "Do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
(O) How often we do not serve because we have no confidence - we feel ill equipped to serve and yet it is the Holy Spirit who speaks through us. My daughter said when she was doing evangelism in Marseilles to Muslims that Americans that were elderly and spoke no French still had a role to play with handing out literature and praying -- she thought that people should just "do it"...... perhaps she is right.
(A) We are not used because we are not willing to be used and so become useless. Willingness is the first component of service.
(P) I am a unit - part of my husband and so nothing that I am to do will be apart from him - so God teach us together what you need us for.

Title: Do not Worry
(S) Luke 12:22-23 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes."
(O) We do worry - about the needs of this world - about handling money wisely and doing the right thing. Young families have many needs and are more concerned about those needs than Christian service - I think this is normal - so at some point in our lives providing food and clothes for our young families overtakes almost everything else. I am sure God does not want us to forsake those responsibilities but to trust God to provide and so we should. The thing is not to make these things our passion and to worry about them.
(A) We are to trust God to provide all things. He will do it. That is our needs and not our greeds.
(P) Help us to trust God for everything - and to put Him first and not to worry as he will provide.

Title: Give to the poor.
(S) Luke 12:33 "Sell your possessions and give to the poor".
(O) How much giving to the poor have I done lately - very little - and yet there are so many possessions here that I do not need.
(A) What good instructions - sell much of this unnecessary stuff and give the money to the poor.
(P) Help me to put this stuff on Craigs List next week.

Title: The call to service may come at any moment.
(S) Luke 12:33 "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning"
(O) Even though I have this life it does not mean that God does not have an alternate plan. The thing is to be ready to do whatever God requires - whether to rock a grandchild to sleep or to do whatever is needed.
(A) Serving God takes on many faces - just being available and ready to serve is important. This includes being ready to tell anyone about the hope that is within us in Jesus.
(P) Lord help me to know your word and to memorize it as well and to be ready for opportunities to serve.

Title: Christ will always bring division - between nations and within families.
(S) Luke 12:51 "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three."
(O) I am sad when I think that some of my family are not believers however this is what Jesus says will happen. God knows the future and how we pray for those that are unsaved.
(A) Sometimes there are arguments in this house on whether or not the gospel is true - or just some story - I believe with all my heart although I have millions of questions on the details of the scripture that really at this point do not make sense to me. I think we are only told to be faithful and keep praying and it is up to God to bring about the salvation of those we pray for.
(P) There are certain ones that you lay on my heart and I pray for - but am I earnest or do I just believe that God will make it happen. I think I have to make it the cry of my heart more than I do.

January 11, 2010 Genesis 27 & 28, Psalm 4, Luke 11

Title: Ambitious mother leads son astray.
(S) Gen 27:11-13 Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, "But my brother Esau is a hairy man and I'm a man with smooth skin. What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing. His mother said to him, "My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me."
(O) Rebekah not only favoured only one son, she was a woman that was not honest with her husband and convinced Jacob to be deceitful. This a woman who has ambition for her son without regard for anything else. Success at any cost. One lie leads to another in this sequence.
(A) I look at my children - I do not favour one above the other but I have wanted them to be successful in life. I want them to have a happy marriage and a home of their own and a good job that will support their families. I wonder if I have influenced them for Godliness as much as I have to get a good education, job and house?
(P) Those that watch us and copy us and will be as we are - how are we? God first or the things of this world first - they will surely copy us. God free us from wrong ambitions.

Title: Sin brings animosity between brothers.
(S) Gen 27:42b "Your brother Esau is consoling himself with the thought of killing you."
(O) By choosing a favourite son and leading him to deceit this mother has created blood lust between brothers - what such ambition leads to.
(A) I do not know how a mother could love one child more when each child you hold in your arms and love as a baby the same - it seems unthinkable - I just don't get it.
(P) I pray that I will never have one child even consider that there is a difference between them because there isn't.

Title: Trying to please your father.
(S) Gen. 28:8 "Esau then realized how displeasing the Canaanite women were to his father Isaac; so he went to Ishmael and married Mahalath,"
(O) Even though he was cheated out of his birthright and then out of his father's blessing and his father had nothing to give him this man is still trying to please his father.
(A)I think men are always looking for their father's approval. I have four sons and I know this.
(P) I hope and pray that my sons feel that their father does approve of them.

Title: It still shocks me that Jesus should come from such a rotten sequence of liars and cheaters.
(S) Gen 28:14b "All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring."
(O) Out of a line of deceivers and cheaters - Jesus is born. Jacob is in the line of Christ and yet he is not really a good man. He becomes a good man but he certainly does not start out that way.
(A) I suppose this is an example of how Jesus takes sinners and uses them anyway.
(P) Help me never to judge who God will use to do his work.

Title: Jacob's stone became what the Muslims regard as Mecca
(S) Gen 28:16-22 "When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it."....This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven. Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz. Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will with me.....then the Lord will be my God. This stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."
(O) This is the Hajj around which over 2 million Muslims circle every year. Does this make any sense to me? No. Here Jacob is making a vow to worship the one true God and what happens historically is that this place becomes the place that Muslims pray towards. Maybe I am wrong on this and I am misunderstanding somewhere. So, Jacob wants to worship the one true God here and the Muslims make a pilgrimage to this place - surely the one true God - Jesus - will one day be worship by both Jew and those of the Muslim faith.
(A) Lord I keep finding things that really are a mystery - what a book this Bible is - so many questions.
(P) That all of these faiths one day find Jesus.

Psalm 4:8 "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

Luke 11
Title: The Lord's Prayer is a formula for life.
(S) The Lord's Prayer
(O)
1. Begin with praise to God - our day, our prayers, our life
2. Pray for the day that Jesus will reign
3. Only ask for our daily needs and not more
4. Ask for forgiveness of our personal sins
4. Forgive others
6. Don't let us go where we will be tempted to sin.
(A) The above is a good way to live our lives.
(P) I do not begin prayer with praise - I need to do this. God I thank you for revealing my faults daily as I do this blog - I am only beginning to get the idea of your greatness.

Title: A half hearted Christian may be doing more harm than good.
(S) Luke 11:23 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters."
(O) So - someone that is not gathering (or does this mean bringing others to Jesus) is actually causing the flock to scatter. Pretty harsh words. Might be reading this wrong.
(A) ?
(P)?

Title: Will we be judged by a black queen from Ethiopia at the judgement time?
(S) Luke 11:31"The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here."
(O) There are 2 things that I observe here - the intention of the verse is to show how the Queen of Sheba travelled a very long way just to sit at the feet of Solomon - it was not easy for her. The second thing is that this black woman from Ethiopia is going to judge us. So - what is the Ethiopian legend - that Solomon and Sheba had a son and the royal Ethiopian line is still in place and Halie Selassie was of this line and the Rastafarian's believe that this line was directly from Solomon. Hmmm.
(A) I think we will be surprised at who is there on judgement day.
(P) None


(S) Luke 11:38 "But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised."
(O) Hand washing was never forgotten and yet Jesus did not do it here just to tell a story with an example. My daughter is a nurse - with the H1N1 flu people have remembered to wash there hands all the time. Apparently many illnesses that are usual at this time of year like colds are way down. Guess this custom was very wise.

January 10, 2010, Genesis 25 & 26, Psalm 6, Luke 10

Title: God blesses whom He blesses.


(S) Gen. 25:5-6 "Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac. But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east."


(O) It says at the beginning of chapter 25 that Abraham took another wife after Sarah died named Keturah and she bore him 6 sons. Now in the above verse it says he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away. So, did he have more than 8 sons? How many concubines did he have? So, why does God say in Gen.22:2 "your only son Isaac"???


(A) Often we look at the disparities in people - is it luck, is it choices they make or is it just that God blesses whom He blesses? It may be choices but it may be just God knowing each of us and wanting us to draw close to Him and knowing exactly the path that will draw us to Him. That is not to say that God allows terrible things to happen to us - life allows terrible things to happen to us because we are in a fallen world and much is up to us - but God does give us a hand up when we ask - with the best answer for us - which we would know if we knew the end from the beginning.


(P) Lord help me to realize that I cannot fix the world for my family - I have to understand that God is in control and will bless as He sees fit.





Title: Isaac and Ishmael - they both loved their father.


(S) Gen. 25:9 "His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, the field Abraham had bought from the Hittites."


(O) It is only these two sons - not the sons of Keturah - nor the sons of the concubines - if there were more sons - but these are the only 2 that are mentioned. I wonder how Ishmael felt when he helps with the burial of his father knowing that Abraham left everything to Isaac. Now if you go on a tour - they say that Abraham and and Hagar and Ishmael are buried in Mecca at the Kaaba. And Gen. 25:10 says that Abraham was buried with Sarah his wife. I think it does not matter where the cave of Machpelah near Mamre is - we are not to worship places but rather God.


(A) I started out wondering about the way that God operates as it is not our kind of fair but His own. He blesses Isaac - who is the son that was promised him through his first wife Sarah. Only one son gets it all - they are both at their father's funeral but they are not treated equally. There are 12 sons and 12 tribal rulers that come out of Ishmael and yet Gen: 25:18b says "And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers." Why, why, why - is it because Sarah was disobedient and Abraham did not trust God to provide Isaac through her? Ishmael - it says that God was with him as he grew up and that he would become a great nation - but he was never the son of promise that Isaac was - that is God's choice and hard to accept.


(P) God does what he does - that does not mean that it will not be equal for every person through no fault of their own. The great struggle between people would be over if we ever understood this point.





Title: God repeats the Isaac Ishmael scenario in Jacob and Esau and yet they were twins


(S) Gen:25:23-"The Lord said to her 'Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated: one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."

(O) It seems that God often does the same thing twice so that we get it - here we have the 2 sons scenario again but with both sons of the same woman - in fact twins. God will favour the one and not the other. Jacob the younger son will take Esau the firstborn's blessing much as Isaac was the one to receive his father's blessing, not Ishmael.

(P) Same prayer - Lord help me to understand your choices.

Title: Oh how little we sell out our heritage for.
(S)Gen 25:33-34 "But Jacob said, "Swear to me first,"So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jcob. Then Jacob gave Esaw some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and seft. So Esau despised his birthright."
(O) Esau was the first born and should have inherited everything of his father's wealth and yet for some stew - the NIV says lentil stew - not even a great stew - he gave up everything - a little bit of comfort now and a life of difficulty later.
(A) How like us. We give up our inheritance in God for a little momentary pleasure. I think I do this. I have a hard time waiting for so many things that I think about too much. The things we give up the great life we might have through serving God are just like this not so great stew.
(P) Patience.

Title: There are so many temptations to "Go down to Egypt"
(S) Gen. 26:2 The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you."
(O) Figuratively there are so many times when we are not suppose to go to Egypt - whatever that means for me - not to say that negative thing - not to think that thought - it is so many possibilities - going to Egypt.
(A) We can separate ourselves from God in so many ways - whatever going to Egypt means for me - but the it is my craving to be close to God and so whatever Egypt is - I know when I am going there - that lack of yielding in my spirit in my marriage that resentment of another's life whatever it may be - but to be in God's will is so much better - and I will be blessed if I am where I am suppose to be.
(P) Lord keep me from those places that are Egypt for me.

(S) Pslam 6:9b "The Lord accept my prayer."

Title: God always prepares a person for salvation and then sends the appropriate person.
(S) Luke 10:32-33 "Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.....so I sent for you immediately, ...... Now we are all here in the prescence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."
(S) Luke 10:44-45"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holyl Spirit came on all who heard the message. The ciercumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles."
(O) 1. God prepared Cornelius to receive the message of Christ - but Cornelius was already seeking God - he just did not know where God would come from. 2. God tells Peter to go - even though they are not Jews and this is out of the ordinary for Peter. 3. Peter obeys.
(A) God is preparing whatever the mission field is for us. In this case Cornelius was ready to receive the message. We are not to worry that we are not doing enough soul winning if we are ready and willing to do God's will that is what he expects. He will work out the details for whatever is needed.
(P) God help me to be prepared and ready to hear your voice at all times.