Hiding

August 9, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus Rejoices 10: 21 - 22

Luke 10:21 (Bible in Worldwide English)21 At that same time the Holy Spirit made Jesus very happy. Jesus said, ‘Father, you are Lord of heaven and earth. I thank you because you have hidden these things from people who are wise and know many things. But you have shown them to people who are like children. Yes, Father. That was the way you wanted it.

Man have I struggled with this verse. Why would God want to hide the good news from anyone?  And Jesus seems to rejoice in the fact that he is hiding it. Every time I meditated on it I could not get my mind around it.

While I can not claim to be a Greek scholar, I wonder if the words might be the fact that they hid it from themselves.  They think they are so wise and yet they cannot wrap their minds around faith.

Reminds me of a co-worker on one of my jobs.  He puts down my faith but believes that a big bang created it all.  He has more faith than I do I think.  

So God is not hiding it from you or me, He is hiding it from the ones who think they are so much better than us.

Read for next time: Jesus Privately Blesses the Twelve; Luke 10:23-24
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Wisdom is over-rated

June 21, 2008

I Kings 11 (Message)

9 God was furious with Solomon for abandoning the God of Israel, the God who had twice appeared to him
10 and had so clearly commanded him not to fool around with other gods. Solomon faithlessly disobeyed God’s orders.
11 God said to Solomon, “Since this is the way it is with you, that you have no intention of keeping faith with me and doing what I have commanded, I’m going to rip the kingdom from you and hand it over to someone else.

God never forces us to do anything. He gives us choices. If Solomon had followed God, then there would never have been any problems. But Solomon had clearly chose not to follow the rules of God even though he wrote about them quite clearly in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Why he thought that as King he was better than God I do not know. But when temptation came calling, even the wisest person in the world gave in to the sin. And when those woman introduced him to their gods, he went after it tooth and nail.

If he being so wise could fall, what makes us think that we can do any better? We need to live in a constant connection with God each day.

Today

1 Kings 10:1-11:43, 2 Chronicles 9:1-31
Tomorrow

Proverbs 30:1-31:31

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Wisdom

June 5, 2008


Proverbs 8:19 (New King James Version)
19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.
Wisdom is talking here. She is telling us about her fruit. What is her fruit? It is wisdom itself. To have wisdom is a very good thing. It is what we all should strive to get. It makes sense to say that wisdom is better than gold bit what is the revenue that is being talked about here? It is what we get when we use the wisdom that we have. It is the income that we get when we do our best to take the learning that we have, the wisdom, and using it for God's best.

Seek wisdom, but more importantly, use it.

Read through the Bible in one year in Historical orderToday
Proverbs 7:1-9:18Tomorrow
Job 10-13

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Wisdom

April 28, 2008


Psalms 92:5-7 ESV
(5) How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!
(6) The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this:
(7) that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever;


One thing that puzzles me sometimes are verses like these. They seem to say that man is doomed if he cannot understand God. He will always be that way and there is nothing that he can do to overcome it. After all it says the stupid man cannot understand. So as a person is, he is doomed in a sort of pre-destination that he cannot get out of. What about free will.

Then I have to stop and think. Man and God do not treat wisdom the same way. God looks at our intelligence and what we do with it. It is not what we could do, or might do, it is hat we do. And if that is not something that will continue the work of God is some way, shape or form, it is not intelligent. In that way, some of the most foolish people I know are the smartest.


Read through the Bible in one year in Historical order
Today
Psalms 81:1-16, Psalms 92:1-15, Psalms 93:1-5
Tomorrow
1 Chronicles 7:1-10:14
http://tinyurl.com/24beby for a daily reading tool

Asking for directions

March 11, 2008

Deuteronomy 1:2-3 ASV
(2) It is eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadesh-barnea.
(3) And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that Jehovah had given him in commandment unto them;

What a trip. Even if he took the scenic route, it would have been 40 years and 10 months too long. God was leading them. Why did God not take them on the direct path?

The answer would be in the people themselves. They were not ready. We get a taste of that when we realize that when they got to the promised land the first time they did not think they could win, even with God's help. God had to take them back out into the desert and burn Egypt out of them.

So often we want God to give us what we want when we want it. We live in an instant age and we expect instant answers from God as well. God very wisely does not always give us what we want until we are ready for it.


Read through the Bible in one year in Historical order
Today
Deuteronomy 1:1-2:37
Tomorrow
Deuteronomy 3:1-4:49
http://tinyurl.com/24beby for a daily reading tool

Foolish and wise

December 6, 2007

A lot can be said about the company you keep. If you hang around with criminals, it will wear off on you and you most likely will be one also. Likewise, if you hang around negative people, some of that negativity will get into your system and make you negative as well.

Proverbs 13:20 NET
(20) The one who associates with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.


Notice how the New English Translation puts these words. The original Hebrew was not translated well in the King James (and no I am not picking on it).

Proverbs 13:20 KJV
(20) He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

If you are with a wise man you will be wise. The original Hebrew uses two different words. One we translate wise (the first one) and one we would translate wiser. We grow in wisdom when we hang with wise people.

As a teacher I have had a lot of people tell me that they cannot understand computers because they are stupid. I have to tell them that they are not stupid, they just lack knowledge in computers. I tell them that what they are good in I would be stupid. Find people who are wise and get with them.

But people who feel stupid begin to hang with others who feel stupid. In that case you will come to harm.

Know that you cannot be wise in all things, but you can pick your friends that are.

Advice

July 20, 2007

Once again, into the life of Saul

1Sa 9:3-6 GNB
(3) Some donkeys belonging to Kish had wandered off, so he said to Saul, "Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys."

We see here at least one redeeming quality about Saul. He honored his father and did what was asked of him to do with out any arguing.

(4) They went through the hill country of Ephraim and the region of Shalishah, but did not find them; so they went on through the region of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then they went through the territory of Benjamin, but still did not find them.
(5) When they came into the region of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, "Let's go back home, or my father might stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us."

Saul did attempt to do what he was asked, but gave up quickly. I once gave a jar to one of my kids that had the lid on way to tight. I watched as they strained and did everything they could to open that jar so they could get what they needed to eat. Frustrated, they looked up at me and said they could not open it. I asked them if they tried everything. They told me yes, but I advised them they had not. When asked what they had not tried, I replied, you did not ask me for help. I then proceeded to open the jar and hand it back to them.

Saul had not tried everything yet, he had not asked God to help.

(6) The servant answered, "Wait! In this town there is a holy man who is highly respected because everything he says comes true. Let's go to him, and maybe he can tell us where we can find the donkeys."

I guess it is good to have a wise servant. Notice however that they did not seek God first, it was an afterthought. The man of God was nearby, they did not make an effort to see him first. How often in our own lives do we not seek God first for a problem? Do we turn to people who can help us, God given friends and ministers, to help us, or do we try to fix it all in our own power?

Let's make a vow to start turning to God first when we have a problem. He has the solutions.

Advice

July 20, 2007

Once again, into the life of Saul

1Sa 9:3-6 GNB
(3) Some donkeys belonging to Kish had wandered off, so he said to Saul, "Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys."

We see here at least one redeeming quality about Saul. He honored his father and did what was asked of him to do with out any arguing.

(4) They went through the hill country of Ephraim and the region of Shalishah, but did not find them; so they went on through the region of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then they went through the territory of Benjamin, but still did not find them.
(5) When they came into the region of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, "Let's go back home, or my father might stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us."

Saul did attempt to do what he was asked, but gave up quickly. I once gave a jar to one of my kids that had the lid on way to tight. I watched as they strained and did everything they could to open that jar so they could get what they needed to eat. Frustrated, they looked up at me and said they could not open it. I asked them if they tried everything. They told me yes, but I advised them they had not. When asked what they had not tried, I replied, you did not ask me for help. I then proceeded to open the jar and hand it back to them.

Saul had not tried everything yet, he had not asked God to help.

(6) The servant answered, "Wait! In this town there is a holy man who is highly respected because everything he says comes true. Let's go to him, and maybe he can tell us where we can find the donkeys."

I guess it is good to have a wise servant. Notice however that they did not seek God first, it was an afterthought. The man of God was nearby, they did not make an effort to see him first. How often in our own lives do we not seek God first for a problem? Do we turn to people who can help us, God given friends and ministers, to help us, or do we try to fix it all in our own power?

Let's make a vow to start turning to God first when we have a problem. He has the solutions.

You got questions...

June 28, 2007

Ever take a test and not know the answer? Ever have a interview and not know what to say? Turn to God for advice.

Isa 40:28 NET
(28) Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is an eternal God,
the creator of the whole earth.
He does not get tired or weary;
there is no limit to his wisdom.

The is no limit to His wisdom. Ask of Him and you will receive it. As one who has had to go for many job interviews of late, when I get a question sometimes, I have to stop, draw in my thoughts real quick, and turn what comes out of me over to Him. I am not saying that He speaks through me, but that He gives me the right words to say.

And he does not grow weary. He is ready to talk with you about any wisdom you need 24/7/365. Turn to him when you have a need. He will be with you and speak what you need to hear.

--Translation Information

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org . All rights reserved.

June 13, 2007 - Good Advice

June 13, 2007

Who do you take your council from? Who do you get your advice from? Rehoboam I am sure, wishes that he had taken advice from others in stead of the people he did. It resulted in a lot of problems.

1Ki 12:13-16 KJV
(13) And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him;
(14) And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
(15) Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake byAhijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
(16) So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.

It is too bad that he did not seek advice from the words of his father.

Pro 17:4 ESV
(4) An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.


You see, wise council comes from wise people. If a plan seems to be harmful to others, it is probably not a good idea to do. Take your advice from people who who advise things that are not harmful.

Mar 16,2007 - You want me to do what?

Mar 16, 2007

Jer 32:24-27 VW

(24) Behold, the siege mounds have come to the city to take it; and the city has been given into the hands of the Chaldeans who fight against it, because of the sword, the famine, and the pestilence. And what You have spoken has happened; and behold, there You see it.

(25) And You have said to me, O Lord Jehovah, Buy the field for money, and take witnesses; yet the city has been given into the hands of the Chaldeans.

(26) Then the Word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah, saying,

(27) Behold, I am Jehovah the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?

VW-Edition 2006

A Voice in the Wilderness

Box 9531

Spokane, WA 99209

USA

Website:www.a-voice.org

At the time that Jeremiah wrote this his country was being laid waste by the people that God had sent because Israel would not stop following other Gods. He had preached time and time again against the evil the people were doing and it had done no good. He was in the middle of a hopeless situation and God told him to go buy a piece of property.

He tells God off at this point. He basically says to God: Are you blind? They have us surrounded and built hills that they can shoot at us with and be safe. They are holding us out till the food and water stop flowing. We are going to be taken over by these people and we will be slaves and you want me to go buy a piece of property?????

And God replies: I made you and I made them. I can do anything, nothing is impossible

God had a plan. He wanted to bring the people back in a future time. To be able to get people like Jeremiah to see it he had to get them lined up with what he saw. The only reason one would buy property is to be able to live there. God needed Jeremiah to see that He had a plan to return the people to Jerusalem. It may take a while. Jeremiah may not even see it happen. But it would happen and his descendants would be able to see it.

God does not necessarily have to show us what his plan is. We just have to be able to listen obediently and say, 'I am a servant of the Lord.'

Mar 3, 2007 - Its only words....

Mar 3, 2007

Pro 29:20 MKJV
(20) Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Modern King James Version, copyright © 1962-1998 by Jay P. Green, Sr. All rights reserved.

The writer of Proverbs clearly thinks that a fool is one of the worst people in life when it comes to the social ladder. So if he marks someone as lower on the list, then it might be time to take notice of it.

In our fast world that we live in we want everything instant. Where our previous generations would have to squeeze the orange juice by hand for breakfast, we can get it out of a can to mix up, or even just pour it from a bottle. Where they would measure ingredients to make waffles or pancakes, we just pop them into the toaster oven. In years gone by, a long distance romance was one that meant 3 to 5 days for the next mail from your sweetie to arrive. Now it means getting to a computer so that we can IM, email or chat with person. Am I advocating going back to the good old days? Not at all.

What we need to stop and take a look at is the fact that we are often, in this fast paced world, to quick to say things. Often those things can be hurtful. I remember receiving a compliment not to long ago. I do not receive compliments well so it was a miracle that I just accepted it and went on. I felt I had turned a corner in my life. When I told someone close to me about it, the reaction was, well, anyone could do that. That is no great achievement. The words were said so fast that this person did not realize what they were saying.

Once a word has left your mouth, it can never be pulled back in again. It is out there and it is a seed planted in that other person. Have I forgiven this person for their words? Yes. Are the feelings of hurt still there? Yes. Once the pain is inflicted, the mark will be there for a long time to come. As a child I got a scar on my finger. Now nearly 50 years later I can still see the mark it left behind. Your words will leave a mark behind for years to come.

No wonder the author of provers puts a man with hasty words on the bottom of the social ladder.

Feb. 21, 2007

Feb 21, 2007

Psa 32:9 NET
(9) Do not be like an unintelligent horse or mule,
which will not obey you
unless they are controlled by a bridle and bit.

NET Bible is available at http://www.bible.org

First off, if you have not found the NET Bible on the internet, go to http://www.bible.org . It is an excellent translation, complete with notes as to why it is translated the way that it was. In the printer version I have, one page has more notes on the translation than it does verses.

God does not want us to be like an animal that has to be forced into doing things against our will. As a new Christian it sometimes becomes necessary to be trained in the right things to do. God however will never force His will on you. He does not want to yank you with a reign and move you in the direction should go. In doing that you are acting like an unitelligent animal.

God has always given us free will. We can turn away from Him anytime we want to. We can persue the world's way of doing things and He will just step aside and let us do it. I know, for I did it. You know what, God paiently waited for me to turn around and meet Him again. I do not recomend it as a way of doing things. It has taken me years to get back to a point that I can easily trust myself that I am hearing Him and knowing what His will is. If I had just followed along on my walk with Him I would have been so much further on with my life.

Has God had to wait for you? If He had used a bridle and bit on you do you think you would have followed along or resisted? What would it take for you to be broekn to do what He needs you to do? Would it really be you doing what He wanted you to do or would it be Him forcing you. God is a gentleman you know.

Feb. 12, 2007

Proverbs 1

20Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

21She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,

22How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

Where can you find wisdom? Ever ask yourself where wisdom can be found. Many think it can come from college or reading some book. Many will even tell you that it can be found in the Bible. But the Bible teaches us that wisdom in out in the streets, and she cries to us to find her. If we continue to act as simpletons, we will never get wisdom as we will not want it.

So what does it mean that wisdom is out in the streets. In every day life, wisdom will speak to you in ways that may not make sense. Your children may say something wise. Maybe a spouse or co-worker will say something that you need to hear. If you are not ready to hear it, you will miss it. Put yourself in a mode that you can learn from others. As a part time instructor of computers, I will tell you the hardest to teach students are the ones that think that they know it all. From the 1st class I tell them, you will learn something new in this class, and after 2 weeks I ask the ones that say I can not teach them anything new if they have learned something new. About 99% of them do, and I have got them hooked for they now know if they listen they will learn something new.
This came to me one day as I was watching an Anime show my step-son introduced me to, Full Metal Alchemist. The quote is as follows:

Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.

While not a Christian show, there are many central Christian concepts that can be learned in a show. As a Christian, what can I learn from this quote? The wisdom here is the basic premise on the show, in order to obtain, something of equal value must be lost. In order for me to gain salvation in heaven in my sinful state, something of equal value had to be lost. In order for me to go to heaven, I had to have a substitute, there had to be an equivalent value for me for me to have my sins removed. There is only one equivalent for my sin fill life to be wiped clean of sins, one who had no sins. That one is Jesus. Have you accepted Him as your equivalent exchange? If you have what does it mean to you?