The readings!
Genesis 35-36:43, Matthew 12:1-21, Psalm 15:1-5, Proverbs 3:21-26
Jacob receives his next mission. Meanwhile, God reveals that he, indeed, was the one who saved him from his brother Esau. It didn't say in the reading yesterday, but now it is clarified in hindsight. How many times have situations worked out in our lives and we dismiss them as chance, but it was God moving behind the scenes? The chance that's really involved is the chance for us to choose to praise him for his protection.
I love that, without any prompting, Jacob instructs his household to purify themselves for God, after God speaks. He made the choice to follow this God, and he's going to follow through.
In the NT, Jesus tries to get through the people's heads that what matters to God is the right heart for him and not legalistic adherence to rules. They criticize over people picking grain. When they are legitimately hungry. They conspire about Jesus healing. When people are actually hurting.
But Jesus didn't come for show. He didn't come to entertain their fansies or consider their politics. Often when he healed he told them not to tell anyone. And he wouldn't "crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle." But in the most gut-wrenching of irony, a reed would be crushed. It just wouldn't be the legalistic one. If the anything, the legalistic system and all they stand for would only be crushed in the unlikeliest of ways, by the offering of a pure, gentle reed to be broken.
And if you want to know God, only purity may enter here. From blameless lives and sincere hearts. Do you care about meeting God and knowing him? Then read this list to remind and encourage your heart to desire righteousness.
As a great recap from each of today's readings, Proverbs says hang onto discernment. Then you'll have sweet sleep. The Lord will let nothing come near you.
Know the Lord in purity, my child. And sleep sweet.
And to read along:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2035-36:43,%20Matthew%2012:1-21,%20Psalm%2015:1-5,%20Proverbs%203:21-26&version=NIV
Showing posts with label Esau. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Esau. Show all posts
Friday, June 29, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Day 11: June 23, 2012- Part 2 of the First Love Story and the Two Brothers
Moment of the Day:
A cool thing happened today.
We successfully inserted Luke into the Fisher Price Swing that had been given to us. And he didn't cry.
He just looked around and reached out, trying to comprehend his surroundings.
As he swung, all of a sudden, I wanted to get his attention. I wanted to tell him I love him. At least to make eye contact.
So I got really close and swayed with the rhythm of the swing.
"I love you, Lukey."
But he continued to paw at the air and looked side to side to try to figure out where he was.
He wouldn't look at me. It was as though he couldn't.
I felt such love well up within me, as I saw him struggle with his surroundings, and all I wanted was for him to know how much I love him and that I'm right there.
But as I got closer, I couldn't get his eyes to meet mine.
He was too consumed by the movement of the swing.
And then I thought, this must be how God feels.
We sway back and forth, so caught up in our surroundings, pre-occupied trying to figure it all out, that he can't get our attention. He looks at us and leans in, so full of desire for us, just wanting to comfort us and tell us it's okay. You don't have to worry about the swing. Daddy's right here. Daddy loves you.
But we don't notice. Our eyes dart back and forth, and we miss what he so desperately longs for us to hear. What he so desperately longs for us to see. That he's right there.
If we could, we'd see the overwhelming love and compassion welling in his eyes, a Father who never stops watching, never stops trying to get our attention.
We'd see a Father who wants to enjoy the ride with us. Wants us to be able to enjoy this with him.
If we could just forget the craziness and movement for one moment, we'd see that he's right in front of us, following us with his eyes, hoping to catch ours. That we're not alone. He's been standing there all along, calling out our name. That he's swaying back and forth to the rhythm of our crazy pace, leaning in, hoping to share it with us.
And more than anything he just wants to say, "I love you."
The Readings:
Genesis 24:52-26:16, Matthew 8:18-34, Psalm 10:1-15, Proverbs 3:7-8
Part 2 of Isaac's love story. Esau and Jacob come into the picture. There's a really good lesson why to honor what God calls important. This doesn't work out well for the guy who doesn't.
An interesting day when Jesus has no place to go. Will you follow him? To really love God, we must be willing to follow without reservation. Even by the end of this reading, Jesus is a loner without welcome.
David has questions. Do you ever? That's okay, so long as you take them to him. And you answer them with what you know is true, not what you feel. David is going through the process.
An ominous change of direction in Proverbs today. Solomon isn't recommending one to seek wisdom and learn; he's warning against being impressed with your own wisdom. This is a really hard one for us. Perhaps especially for us guys. But there is an answer, and man, is it worth it.
Overall, a great day. I hope you guys are enjoying this. God is really speaking to me through it! Nothing like drawing near our Father and learning from him as the Bible comes to life...
Read along:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2024:52-26:16,%20Matthew%208:18-34,%20Psalm%2010:1-15,%20Proverbs%203:7-8&version=NLT
A cool thing happened today.
We successfully inserted Luke into the Fisher Price Swing that had been given to us. And he didn't cry.
He just looked around and reached out, trying to comprehend his surroundings.
As he swung, all of a sudden, I wanted to get his attention. I wanted to tell him I love him. At least to make eye contact.
So I got really close and swayed with the rhythm of the swing.
"I love you, Lukey."
But he continued to paw at the air and looked side to side to try to figure out where he was.
He wouldn't look at me. It was as though he couldn't.
I felt such love well up within me, as I saw him struggle with his surroundings, and all I wanted was for him to know how much I love him and that I'm right there.
But as I got closer, I couldn't get his eyes to meet mine.
He was too consumed by the movement of the swing.
And then I thought, this must be how God feels.
We sway back and forth, so caught up in our surroundings, pre-occupied trying to figure it all out, that he can't get our attention. He looks at us and leans in, so full of desire for us, just wanting to comfort us and tell us it's okay. You don't have to worry about the swing. Daddy's right here. Daddy loves you.
But we don't notice. Our eyes dart back and forth, and we miss what he so desperately longs for us to hear. What he so desperately longs for us to see. That he's right there.
If we could, we'd see the overwhelming love and compassion welling in his eyes, a Father who never stops watching, never stops trying to get our attention.
We'd see a Father who wants to enjoy the ride with us. Wants us to be able to enjoy this with him.
If we could just forget the craziness and movement for one moment, we'd see that he's right in front of us, following us with his eyes, hoping to catch ours. That we're not alone. He's been standing there all along, calling out our name. That he's swaying back and forth to the rhythm of our crazy pace, leaning in, hoping to share it with us.
And more than anything he just wants to say, "I love you."
I love you
Thank you (or...milk...)
I love sleeping on daddy...
...all scrunchled up
But there's nothing like mommy
The Readings:
Genesis 24:52-26:16, Matthew 8:18-34, Psalm 10:1-15, Proverbs 3:7-8
Part 2 of Isaac's love story. Esau and Jacob come into the picture. There's a really good lesson why to honor what God calls important. This doesn't work out well for the guy who doesn't.
An interesting day when Jesus has no place to go. Will you follow him? To really love God, we must be willing to follow without reservation. Even by the end of this reading, Jesus is a loner without welcome.
David has questions. Do you ever? That's okay, so long as you take them to him. And you answer them with what you know is true, not what you feel. David is going through the process.
An ominous change of direction in Proverbs today. Solomon isn't recommending one to seek wisdom and learn; he's warning against being impressed with your own wisdom. This is a really hard one for us. Perhaps especially for us guys. But there is an answer, and man, is it worth it.
Overall, a great day. I hope you guys are enjoying this. God is really speaking to me through it! Nothing like drawing near our Father and learning from him as the Bible comes to life...
Read along:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2024:52-26:16,%20Matthew%208:18-34,%20Psalm%2010:1-15,%20Proverbs%203:7-8&version=NLT
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