Beth Moore askes "Want a little homework?" and I accept her challenge.
I read my twitter like other people read the paper. The thing I like about it is sometimes people post really helpful things. This morning Beth Moore asked "Want a little weekend homework?" Follow the link and you will get to her blog, and enjoy a little Bible Study that was totally a worth while morning exercise for me.
The rules state that you can't read the comments (Or my answer under the cut) before you do it yourself. If you know me reasonably well, you know what's up with me (or can guess from past knowledge of me) and don't need the details but if you totally require a run down of current situations email me and I will answer. By the way this will make almost no sense if you don't at least read her questions on the blog first :D
1. NASB, The Message
Isaiah 30:15-18
New Living Translation (NLT)
15 This is what the Sovereign Lord,
nbsp; the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
nbsp; and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
nbsp; But you would have none of it.
16 You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt.
nbsp; They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’
But the only swiftness you are going to see
nbsp; is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!
17 One of them will chase a thousand of you.
nbsp; Five of them will make all of you flee.
You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill
nbsp; or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.”
Blessings for the Lord’s People
18 So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
nbsp; so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.
nbsp; Blessed are those who wait for his help.
2.
Threat- : an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage
2: one that threatens
3: an indication of something impending the sky held a threat of rain
Indication of something impending, an intention to inflict injury or damage.
Currently
we’re waiting to hear an answer to prayer, and it seems that the answer
could indeed inflict a lot of hurt and disappointment. That it could
point to a lot more waiting and hurting, a lesson we’ve thought we’ve
learned is going to be repeated, when we really wish for a fresh
blessing of pure joy instead. The previous joy was not tempered by the
hurt that preceded it, but it was exhausting. And the thought makes me
want to pick up my “mat” and run instead of wait at all.
3.
Fleeing for me in this instance would be to ignore it all. Ignore the
longing of my heart, ignore the idea of waiting through pain and
rejection, and just love the life I have and not ask for anything more
of God (in regard to that request I mentioned above) ever.
4.
I
kind of stink at the whole compare and contrast thing, I’m more likely
to just say how the verses speak to me, and how they relate. So, here
goes that...(A+ for not following directions Beth? Sorry!)
Isaiah
seems to be like a town crier saying “Return to God! It’s the only way!
You’ll be safe in God!” Which is always an important reminder.
Especially in times of temptation. Both James and 1Peter seem to give
style points and encouragement on how to return, remain and dwell in the
safety of the Lord. And most importantly how to NOT flee from the
things that we fear.
5.
Did I need to hear “Settle Down”? Yes, in many ways my impatience with
God and the situations of life comes in the form of anxiousness.
Perpetual email checking. Facebook and twitter reading without posting
much myself. I draw in in my angst and my wheels spin. I can do this
and still be a good mom because in my own strength I demand of myself
only a certain number of moments away from the attention of my son. But
my wheels keep spinning in my mind. (So perhaps I’m a good mom, but not
a great one. He deserves my best) Even my prayers were anxiously
expecting the ANSWER and not the healing, restorative and protective
presence of my God.
6.
1Peter reminds me of a movie “The Ghost and the Darkness” (Val Kilmer
and Michael Douglas). The movie is about two lions that terrorize a
railroad project in Africa. For some reason these lions had developed a
taste for human blood and were drawn to the odor of their fear. They
would hunt the people and torture them before killing them, which is not
a natural Lion behavior. They became demon lions. This verse reminds
me that Satan does hunt and terrorize the souls of men. He uses our own
fears of minor, temporary hurt to try to keep us captive and separate
from God and His Goodness. His threats of pain inspire our natural
“Fight or Flight” response, and our temptation to run or flee is great.
James tells us in that moment of temptation to Yell loudly at that
Lion, and he will scamper away like a kitten. And even our slightest
whisper to God will bring Him to us immediately. (Because He never
leaves or forsakes us anyway right?) How do we overcome the fear? The
Message says “Get Serious, Get on your knees before the Master”
Thank you Beth for this opportunity. I did need it.
The rules state that you can't read the comments (Or my answer under the cut) before you do it yourself. If you know me reasonably well, you know what's up with me (or can guess from past knowledge of me) and don't need the details but if you totally require a run down of current situations email me and I will answer. By the way this will make almost no sense if you don't at least read her questions on the blog first :D
1. NASB, The Message
Isaiah 30:15-18
New Living Translation (NLT)
15 This is what the Sovereign Lord,
nbsp; the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
nbsp; and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
nbsp; But you would have none of it.
16 You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt.
nbsp; They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’
But the only swiftness you are going to see
nbsp; is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!
17 One of them will chase a thousand of you.
nbsp; Five of them will make all of you flee.
You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill
nbsp; or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.”
Blessings for the Lord’s People
18 So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
nbsp; so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.
nbsp; Blessed are those who wait for his help.
2.
Threat- : an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage
2: one that threatens
3: an indication of something impending the sky held a threat of rain
Indication of something impending, an intention to inflict injury or damage.
Currently
we’re waiting to hear an answer to prayer, and it seems that the answer
could indeed inflict a lot of hurt and disappointment. That it could
point to a lot more waiting and hurting, a lesson we’ve thought we’ve
learned is going to be repeated, when we really wish for a fresh
blessing of pure joy instead. The previous joy was not tempered by the
hurt that preceded it, but it was exhausting. And the thought makes me
want to pick up my “mat” and run instead of wait at all.
3.
Fleeing for me in this instance would be to ignore it all. Ignore the
longing of my heart, ignore the idea of waiting through pain and
rejection, and just love the life I have and not ask for anything more
of God (in regard to that request I mentioned above) ever.
4.
I
kind of stink at the whole compare and contrast thing, I’m more likely
to just say how the verses speak to me, and how they relate. So, here
goes that...(A+ for not following directions Beth? Sorry!)
Isaiah
seems to be like a town crier saying “Return to God! It’s the only way!
You’ll be safe in God!” Which is always an important reminder.
Especially in times of temptation. Both James and 1Peter seem to give
style points and encouragement on how to return, remain and dwell in the
safety of the Lord. And most importantly how to NOT flee from the
things that we fear.
5.
Did I need to hear “Settle Down”? Yes, in many ways my impatience with
God and the situations of life comes in the form of anxiousness.
Perpetual email checking. Facebook and twitter reading without posting
much myself. I draw in in my angst and my wheels spin. I can do this
and still be a good mom because in my own strength I demand of myself
only a certain number of moments away from the attention of my son. But
my wheels keep spinning in my mind. (So perhaps I’m a good mom, but not
a great one. He deserves my best) Even my prayers were anxiously
expecting the ANSWER and not the healing, restorative and protective
presence of my God.
6.
1Peter reminds me of a movie “The Ghost and the Darkness” (Val Kilmer
and Michael Douglas). The movie is about two lions that terrorize a
railroad project in Africa. For some reason these lions had developed a
taste for human blood and were drawn to the odor of their fear. They
would hunt the people and torture them before killing them, which is not
a natural Lion behavior. They became demon lions. This verse reminds
me that Satan does hunt and terrorize the souls of men. He uses our own
fears of minor, temporary hurt to try to keep us captive and separate
from God and His Goodness. His threats of pain inspire our natural
“Fight or Flight” response, and our temptation to run or flee is great.
James tells us in that moment of temptation to Yell loudly at that
Lion, and he will scamper away like a kitten. And even our slightest
whisper to God will bring Him to us immediately. (Because He never
leaves or forsakes us anyway right?) How do we overcome the fear? The
Message says “Get Serious, Get on your knees before the Master”
Thank you Beth for this opportunity. I did need it.