I have embarked on a personal study of the book of Joshua. I don't know much about Joshua and felt it was time I did some learning! I started out just reading the scriptures and read through about seven chapters. I took a few notes, basically just quick reminders of what the chapters were about. I wasn't coming to any understandings so decided to go back and use Inductive study methods that I learned in a Kay Arthur study. Last night I read chapter 2 about Rahab and had an incredible eye-opening insight.
Please note that I am writing this before I look up commentaries, this is just my insights from my own inductive study. I will post information from more research at a later date.
What struck me as I studied this chapter was the use of the scarlet cord to let the spies down and the use of that same scarlet cord to cover Rahab and her house from destruction.
The cord is Scarlet, the color of blood. It was used as a bridge to let the spies out of the city of danger, and then as a sign to the incoming army that anyone in that house was safe.
Another point is that Rahab made a covenant with the spies, trading kindness for kindness. The spies put conditions on the covenant, stating that only people that Rahab brought into her house, under the covering of the Scarlet Cord would be spared. Also, Rahab had to keep her side of the bargain by not telling any of the authorities in Jericho the plans of the Israelites. Rahab kept her promise and took all of her family into her house and hung the Scarlet Cord from her window. Rahab and her family was spared and Rahab lived among the Israelites from then on.
In my study Bible the only notes on the cord say that it was probably a decorative hanging. I feel the cord has a deeper meaning. I think the Scarlet Cord represents the Blood of Jesus that covers believers and turns the unrighteous into righteous. Rahab was a prostitute, working in an unrighteous occupation; however, Rahab was credited with righteousness for her faith and actions. God is a loving, gracious, and merciful God. In this story He shows us that no matter what our life was like before, when we come to Him and invite Him into our hearts, the blood His Son poured out for us covers our transgressions.
Along with the Scarlet Cord, the time frame of Three Days also plays a significant role in this chapter of scripture. The spies went out into the hills and hid for Three Days. Our precious Lord, Jesus Christ, was buried for Three Days. God was covering His children with the blood of Jesus even in Old Testament times. Our God was, is, and will be the same in the past, now, and in the future. Thank you Lord for Your everlasting kindness and steadfast faithfulness.
I felt incredibly joyous after my reading of study of Joshua 2 last night. I wanted to jump up and down and share my insights right then and there. Alas, it was very late so I had to wait until morning to post on my blog. I hope that you enjoy discovering the Word with me. I would love to hear any comments you have on this subject.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Friday, June 15, 2012
1 Peter 4:7-11
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whaever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
There is so much in this passage, this brief devotion won't give it justice. The first thing I noticed about the book of 1 Peter is the use of the words self-controlled. I have been in a depressed funk for awhile, and reading those instructions over and over in this short book told me I have to discipline myself to prayer, reading the word, and atteding church services and Bible studies. I have to recommit myself to service, and find ways I can serve. It was pretty easy in Memphis, here I just have to work a little harder at finding the opportunities. The opportunities are there, I am just not always aware of them. Thank you, Lord in Heaven, for this message.
Verse 8: Above al, love each other deeply because love covers a multitude of sins. Speaks volumes to me. Not only are we to love each other, but love each other deeply, as Jesus loves each of us. This love was demonstrated to me recently by some new friends. I came home from work and my niece handed me a piece of paper, "This is for you." Ok, I thought, a bit nervous, what is this? It turned out to be a note from a friend at church. I hadn't been to church in a couple of weeks, had no access to my fb account, and no one had my phone number. So, they tracked down my address and came to my house looking for me! Thank you dear friends, for loving me deeply! Had I not received that note, I don't know if I would have made it to church again. Tears make their way down my cheeks as I write this. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Remember when you speak, speak as you are speaking the "very words of God." What a great reminder to think before we speak, to watch our tongues. We are a culture quick to judge, but our God is merciful and slow to anger and we should show the love and mercy He has given us. I have been striving to use word to build people up rather than tear people down. What an easy way to show God's love, by speaking words to encourage.
Well, friends, my computer's battery is about to lose its charge so I will end this devotion here.
Be blessed and pass that blessing on to others!
There is so much in this passage, this brief devotion won't give it justice. The first thing I noticed about the book of 1 Peter is the use of the words self-controlled. I have been in a depressed funk for awhile, and reading those instructions over and over in this short book told me I have to discipline myself to prayer, reading the word, and atteding church services and Bible studies. I have to recommit myself to service, and find ways I can serve. It was pretty easy in Memphis, here I just have to work a little harder at finding the opportunities. The opportunities are there, I am just not always aware of them. Thank you, Lord in Heaven, for this message.
Verse 8: Above al, love each other deeply because love covers a multitude of sins. Speaks volumes to me. Not only are we to love each other, but love each other deeply, as Jesus loves each of us. This love was demonstrated to me recently by some new friends. I came home from work and my niece handed me a piece of paper, "This is for you." Ok, I thought, a bit nervous, what is this? It turned out to be a note from a friend at church. I hadn't been to church in a couple of weeks, had no access to my fb account, and no one had my phone number. So, they tracked down my address and came to my house looking for me! Thank you dear friends, for loving me deeply! Had I not received that note, I don't know if I would have made it to church again. Tears make their way down my cheeks as I write this. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Remember when you speak, speak as you are speaking the "very words of God." What a great reminder to think before we speak, to watch our tongues. We are a culture quick to judge, but our God is merciful and slow to anger and we should show the love and mercy He has given us. I have been striving to use word to build people up rather than tear people down. What an easy way to show God's love, by speaking words to encourage.
Well, friends, my computer's battery is about to lose its charge so I will end this devotion here.
Be blessed and pass that blessing on to others!
Friday, May 4, 2012
THE PRAYER OF DAVID
Psalms 51: 10-12
"Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence,
and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
I used to pray this prayer every morning. I even wrote it down on a 3"x5" card and put it on the inside of my sun visor so that it was in front of me anywhere I drove. I memorized it line by line, and I would repeat in my mind whenever I stumbled. I think this is one of the greatest prayers of faith in the entire Bible. David always poured out his soul to The Lord and wrote these things down. How awesome that David's writings were preserved through the ages so that they are still available to us today! As I kept this prayer in my heart and mind my daily walk with God became very, very intimate. Take the time to memorize this and keep it in your heart so that "you might not sin against God".
"Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence,
and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
I used to pray this prayer every morning. I even wrote it down on a 3"x5" card and put it on the inside of my sun visor so that it was in front of me anywhere I drove. I memorized it line by line, and I would repeat in my mind whenever I stumbled. I think this is one of the greatest prayers of faith in the entire Bible. David always poured out his soul to The Lord and wrote these things down. How awesome that David's writings were preserved through the ages so that they are still available to us today! As I kept this prayer in my heart and mind my daily walk with God became very, very intimate. Take the time to memorize this and keep it in your heart so that "you might not sin against God".
Thursday, May 3, 2012
The 518 Devotions: Romans
18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. (NIV)
One righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. Amazing. Thank you Jesus for your ultimate sacrifice and taking our sins away. Thank you God in Heaven for raising Jesus from the dead so that we may have eternal life through Him!
My dad just posted a comment under my post titled "From Chocolate Bunnies to Grace" regarding this issue. It is very inspiring so take a moment to go check it out under the home tab.
So often the focus is on sin, how sin came into the world; how we must repent and are unworthy. I remember terrible feelings of guilt and anxiety as a young girl because I thought God was making a check mark next to my name every time I did something He didn't like. I did not understand Grace. I don't think anyone taught me about grace!
I know as women, we often get an extra helping of guilt because it was Eve who ate the fruit and convinced Adam to eat of the fruit also. On top of being the gender that brought sin into the world, we can never live up to the perfection of Mary, Mother of Jesus. Many women feel caught between these two women of the Bible. What is forgotten is all the other women of the Bible, women who were loved by God but not perfect. Women who were forgiven by God, healed by God. Women who walked with Jesus and washed his feet, prepared food for Him. Women who waited for a child and then gave that child up to the Lord because of a promise. Women who were normal, everyday women that received God's blessings and honor.
One woman brought sin into the world, and one woman birthed the One who would bring the gift of eternal life. And between the two are many other women livng their lives and honoring God.
Don't let guilt and fear overwhelm you. Jesus died for our sins and freely gives us grace. Jesus rose from the dead to justify us, sinners all, so that we may have a bridge to God in Heaven.
One righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. Amazing. Thank you Jesus for your ultimate sacrifice and taking our sins away. Thank you God in Heaven for raising Jesus from the dead so that we may have eternal life through Him!
My dad just posted a comment under my post titled "From Chocolate Bunnies to Grace" regarding this issue. It is very inspiring so take a moment to go check it out under the home tab.
So often the focus is on sin, how sin came into the world; how we must repent and are unworthy. I remember terrible feelings of guilt and anxiety as a young girl because I thought God was making a check mark next to my name every time I did something He didn't like. I did not understand Grace. I don't think anyone taught me about grace!
I know as women, we often get an extra helping of guilt because it was Eve who ate the fruit and convinced Adam to eat of the fruit also. On top of being the gender that brought sin into the world, we can never live up to the perfection of Mary, Mother of Jesus. Many women feel caught between these two women of the Bible. What is forgotten is all the other women of the Bible, women who were loved by God but not perfect. Women who were forgiven by God, healed by God. Women who walked with Jesus and washed his feet, prepared food for Him. Women who waited for a child and then gave that child up to the Lord because of a promise. Women who were normal, everyday women that received God's blessings and honor.
One woman brought sin into the world, and one woman birthed the One who would bring the gift of eternal life. And between the two are many other women livng their lives and honoring God.
Don't let guilt and fear overwhelm you. Jesus died for our sins and freely gives us grace. Jesus rose from the dead to justify us, sinners all, so that we may have a bridge to God in Heaven.
Friday, April 27, 2012
The 518 Devotions: Acts
17 The chief priest and the whole party of the Sadducees who were with him were extremely jealous. So they took action 18 by arresting the apostles and putting them in the city jail. 19 But at night an angel from the Lord opened the doors to their cell and led them out of the prison. 20 The angel told them, “Stand in the temple courtyard, and tell the people everything about life {in Christ}.”
Acts 5:17-20 (GW)
I posted the passage around verse 18 so you, my dear readers, get the context of the verse. The devotion in John also deals with imprisonment; however, in Acts we see the apostles freed through divine intervention.
There are many things that imprison us in this life-fear chief among them. At my Bible study on Wednesday evening we found out that many of us are held back by fear. What each of us is fearful of may be different but the demon of fear is universal. How do we overcome fear? With faith!
As I was driving home after dropping my mom off at work this morning, I was listening to a radio sermon. The pastor mentioned that sometimes all you have to hang on to is God's Word. Psalm 119 tells us to store up God's Word in our hearts and that God's Word is a lamp to our feet (11, 105). When we spend time reading God's Word and committing God's Word to memory, we have this to depend on in moments of weakness. God's Word is replete with references to strength and overcoming fear. We have God's promises to cling to when nothing else is left:
Through his glory and integrity he has given us his promises that are of the highest value. Through these promises you will share in the divine nature because you have escaped the corruption that sinful desires cause in the world. 2 Peter 1:4 (GW)
I shared that my greatest fear is not knowing. I thrive on learning and knowledge and enjoy sharing what I learn with others. The question was what holds us back from encouraging others. My answer was that I don't know the Scriptures well enough and I don't want to say the wrong thing or lead a new Christian down the wrong path. I was encouraged by my mentor that God will give me what I need to know when I need to know it, and that He will use me right where I am, I don't have to worry about that. Then God confirmed that message to me this morning during the radio sermon I was listening to. The pastor made a statement regarding this same issue. I can't recall the exact words he used, but I heard God telling me not to be fearful, that if I walk in faith He will put the words in my mouth and the knowledge in my heart.
Let God break you out of the prison of fear!
I lift up my voice in praise to the Lord. Thank you mighty God in heaven, for Your everlasting promises. You are steadfast in Your committment to your people, and even sent Your own Son to take the sins of the world and give your servants a bridge to Your Presence. Thank you for Your Word that teaches and encourages so that we may know Your ways. Lord, let Your Word sink deep into me so that I may store up Your Word in my heart and not sin against You. Strengthen me with Your Word so that I may be a lamp unto others. Show me Your ways Lord, so that I may follow in Your steps. You are precious and holy, worthy of all praise. In Jesus' Great Name I pray, Amen
Acts 5:17-20 (GW)
I posted the passage around verse 18 so you, my dear readers, get the context of the verse. The devotion in John also deals with imprisonment; however, in Acts we see the apostles freed through divine intervention.
There are many things that imprison us in this life-fear chief among them. At my Bible study on Wednesday evening we found out that many of us are held back by fear. What each of us is fearful of may be different but the demon of fear is universal. How do we overcome fear? With faith!
As I was driving home after dropping my mom off at work this morning, I was listening to a radio sermon. The pastor mentioned that sometimes all you have to hang on to is God's Word. Psalm 119 tells us to store up God's Word in our hearts and that God's Word is a lamp to our feet (11, 105). When we spend time reading God's Word and committing God's Word to memory, we have this to depend on in moments of weakness. God's Word is replete with references to strength and overcoming fear. We have God's promises to cling to when nothing else is left:
Through his glory and integrity he has given us his promises that are of the highest value. Through these promises you will share in the divine nature because you have escaped the corruption that sinful desires cause in the world. 2 Peter 1:4 (GW)
I shared that my greatest fear is not knowing. I thrive on learning and knowledge and enjoy sharing what I learn with others. The question was what holds us back from encouraging others. My answer was that I don't know the Scriptures well enough and I don't want to say the wrong thing or lead a new Christian down the wrong path. I was encouraged by my mentor that God will give me what I need to know when I need to know it, and that He will use me right where I am, I don't have to worry about that. Then God confirmed that message to me this morning during the radio sermon I was listening to. The pastor made a statement regarding this same issue. I can't recall the exact words he used, but I heard God telling me not to be fearful, that if I walk in faith He will put the words in my mouth and the knowledge in my heart.
Let God break you out of the prison of fear!
I lift up my voice in praise to the Lord. Thank you mighty God in heaven, for Your everlasting promises. You are steadfast in Your committment to your people, and even sent Your own Son to take the sins of the world and give your servants a bridge to Your Presence. Thank you for Your Word that teaches and encourages so that we may know Your ways. Lord, let Your Word sink deep into me so that I may store up Your Word in my heart and not sin against You. Strengthen me with Your Word so that I may be a lamp unto others. Show me Your ways Lord, so that I may follow in Your steps. You are precious and holy, worthy of all praise. In Jesus' Great Name I pray, Amen
Sunday, April 22, 2012
The 518 Devotions: John
His reply made the Jews more intent on killing him. Not only did he break the laws about the day of worship, but also he made himself equal to God when he said repeatedly that God was his Father.
John 5:18 (GW)
I am very thankful that Jesus is the Son of God.
I have lived life without Jesus' divine presence, believing for many years that Jesus was a very spiritual man but not divine, not God. In those days I had no hope. I didn't understand God, didn't know God, my heart was hard.
I turned my back on God, but God never turned His back on me. He waited patiently for me to be ready to accept Him, to love Him, to get to know Him.
So everyday I thank God for His love, so great that He sent His Son to become human, to know our trials, and to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. I believe Jesus is the Son of God, lived a sinless life and yet died for all the sins of mankind. Jesus rose again so that those who believe may have life everlasting. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
John 5:18 (GW)
I am very thankful that Jesus is the Son of God.
I have lived life without Jesus' divine presence, believing for many years that Jesus was a very spiritual man but not divine, not God. In those days I had no hope. I didn't understand God, didn't know God, my heart was hard.
I turned my back on God, but God never turned His back on me. He waited patiently for me to be ready to accept Him, to love Him, to get to know Him.
So everyday I thank God for His love, so great that He sent His Son to become human, to know our trials, and to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. I believe Jesus is the Son of God, lived a sinless life and yet died for all the sins of mankind. Jesus rose again so that those who believe may have life everlasting. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The 518 Devotions: Luke
And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, Luke 5:18 (ESV)
During a casual reading of the Bible, this verse would be easy to look past. It appears to be a lead-in to the action. Every single word in God's Book is important, we just have to look a little deeper.
Last night I heard a sermon about the importance of touch. The men in this verse were seeking to lay their friend before Jesus. These men were hoping that Jesus would touch their friend and heal him. They had to be persistent in getting their friend to Jesus because of the crowds in front of the door. They couldn't just squeeze their way through small spaces in the crowd because they were carrying their paralyzed friend on a bed. So, instead of becoming disheartened and giving up, they carried the man to the roof, created a hole in the roof and lowered the man down. Wow! These men cared about their friend so much, they didn't let small things like crowds and roofs get in their way.
But all that happens after this verse. The Words that keep standing out to me are "seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus." Not only do we seek Jesus' presence for ourselves, we seek Jesus' presence for our loved ones; for those who are spiritually paralyzed and cannot get to Jesus on their own. We lay them before Jesus in prayer and carry them to Jesus through love.
Glorious Father in Heaven, You let Your Holy Spirit speak to me through this verse. As I was thinking one thing, my fingers typed another. Thank You, Lord, for this wonderful, powerful insight to show me and my readers Your ways. I praise Your Name! In the Name of Your One and Only Son, Jesus, Amen.
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