Monthly Archives: January 2008

90 Day Bible Reading-Day 16 – 18

We have finished Joshua, Judges and Ruth, and will start with 1 Samuel tomorrow.  The weekend began with my birthday on Friday, and boy did I feel older!  It was so bitterly cold here that I just wanted to pull the blanket over my head and hibernate!  We had a chocolate cake with the whipped icing that I love, and it had chocolate bars on top.  Too bad it’s all gone, or I’d have a piece right now.  Saturday my mom and dad came up and we all had lunch.  It was really good, and I really didn’t do much else after that.  My dad called after they got home, and he had received word that his cousin had died suddenly that morning.  He was in his early 50’s, married with three kids.  It was a big shock, and I ask for prayers for his family to feel the healing love of Christ throughout the next few months. 

This week is going to be busy finishing costumes and getting ready for the first dance performance of the year.  I am not a sewing mom, so these costumes are kicking me!  Luckily I only have one major one to finish, everything else fit really well this time.  Also on the list for the week, clip coupons, work on the budget, shampoo the carpets, catch up on laundry, organize the towel closet, and a few other things that I can’t think of right now. 

90 Day Bible Reading-Day 15

DEUTERONOMY 30-34

Yesterday we finished Deuteronomy with a very short read.  God knew the Israelites would fall short again and turn from Him.  He also told Moses that they would turn away, but that when they decided to obey Him with all their heart, He would bring them back to the promised land and bless them with more.  Moses told them the offer of life or death was in their reach.  Chapter 30, verse 15 says ” See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.  16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.”  Moses blesses the tribes and then dies, leaving Joshua to take over andlead the people to the promised land. 

32:1-43 is the song that Moses taught to the people per God’s command, so that when they sang it, it was a witness for God against them.  I would love to record that here for you, but I know you already read it.  It’s really amazing!

Thankful Thursday

ttbutton.jpgI’m thankful for the health of my family, as so many that are around us are suffering with illness.

I’m thankful for the warm house that shields me from the arctic air that’s on it’s way here.

The beautiful stillness that I discovered when I opened the door this morning and saw the snow. 

Toes!  I guess I have a thing for toes, baby toes that is.  And my four year old still has those sweet toes.  He’s sitting in the chair with me, still in his PJ’s and bare feet.  I love his toes, and the way he works his feet around, hardly ever still, just like his daddy. 

My oldest son got a new puppy Monday night, and I’m thankful that he’s doing very well with the clicker training and housebreaking.  He’s also very cute, and loves to cuddle! 

My daughter is growing more mature every day, and quick to apologize when she’s said something hurtful.  She’s beautiful!

Tomorrow is my birthday, so I’m thankful that God saw fit in His plan to let me have another year.  Also thankful my parents are going to come up and visit, then we’ll go out to eat on Saturday.  I don’t have to cook!!!!  That’s always a perk!  I’m not off the hook for tonight though, so I have to go make the meatloaf now. 

90 Day Bible Reading-Day 14

DEUTERONOMY 17-29

“Purge the evil.”  That seems to be the resounding theme in the beginning.  I counted it 9 times.  The Israelites were commanded to remain clean and pure by purging the ungodly from among them.  Moses says in 18:15 ” The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own borthers.  You must listen to him.”  Everyone knows who that prophet is, but do we always honor Him?  Jesus was the ultimate prophet, and He’s already been compared to Moses in our previous readings. 

In chapter 20, he tells them to not be afraid when they go to battle because God will be with them.  v4 “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

23:12-13  Thank you for indoor plumbing and privacy.

Chapter 27- Moses tells the people to keep all the commands he’s given when they get into the promised land, set up an altar with stones covered in plaster, and write all the words of this law on the stones.  I would hate to be in charge of all that writing on plaster covered stones.

Chapter 28-The Lord will bless you richly if you fully obey his commands. 
Chapter 29- The Israelites enter into the covenant that the Lord will seal with an oath, made for his people, so that He will be their God.

When I went to my study Bible to review the laws, this is what I found that helps explain the breakdown. 

There were 16 major ethical concerns in the Covenant

1.  Personhood- everyone’s person is to be secure

2.  False Accusation-everyone is to be secure against slander and false accusation

3.  Woman-No woman is to be taken advantage of within her subordinate status in society

4.  Punishment-punishment for wrongdoing shall not be excessive so that the culprit is dehumanized

5.  Dignity-every Israelite’s dignity and right to be God’s freedman and servant are to be honored and safeguarded

6.  Inheritance-every Israelite’s inheritance in the promised land is to be secure

7.  Property-everyone’s property is to be secure

8.  Fruit of Labor-everyoned is to receive the fruit of his labors

9.  Fruit of the Ground-everyone is to share the fruit of the ground

10.  Rest on Sabbath-everyone, down to the humblest servant and the resident alien, is to share in the weekly rest of God’s sabbath

11.  Marriage-the marriage relationship is to be kept inviolate

12.  Exploitation-no one, however disabled, impoverishe or powerless, is to be oppressed or exploited

13.  Fair Trial- everyone is to have free access to the courts and is to be afforded a fair trial

14.  Social Order-every person’s God-given place in the social order is to be honored

15.  Law-no one shall be above the law, not evne the king

16.  Animals-Concern for the welfare of other creatures is to be extended to the animal world.

That came from my Zondervan study bible. 

Tomorrow is a short reading of Deuteronomy 30-34.  Any questions?

90 Day Bible Reading-Day 12-13

I knew it would be easier when the kids were home and on Christmas vacation, but I am pathetic.  I’m doing my readings, but can’t squeeze out more time to blog about it in depth.  So here’s another overview…

NUMBERS 27 – DEUTERONOMY 16

Continues with laws and offerings in which Joshua will have to see to it the Israelites follow, since Moses is going to be “gathered to his people.”  I liked all of the sacred assemblies, festivals, and doing no regular work.  That’s something I’d be OK with keeping from the OT. 

They killed all of the men in the Midianite tribe with the help of the Lord, and brought the women, children and animals back to Moses.  Moses ordered them to kill all the boys, and women who have slept with a man.  They divided what was brought back.  Boundaries were set for the land of Canaan, with a place for the Levites, where 6 of the cities were designated at Cities of Refuge.  It talks about the act of murder, and if it is intentional, then that person shall be put to death.  That could spark some heated debates, so I’m not touching it!

In Deuteronomy, Moses tells the people what God has shared with him.  He also recants some of the happenings along the journey.  How the Israelites were grumbling, and rebellious too.  Moses reviews the laws and commandments.  Deuteronomy 6:5  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  God promises in Chapter 11, verse 14 to send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil.  Chapter 14 talks about tithes, and setting aside a tenth of all that the fields produced each year.  I really like Chapter 15 also.  It says that at the end of every 7 years, all debts must be cancelled.  No more house payment would be pretty nice! 

I hope you’ve done your readings, and can follow what I shared.  Tomorrow is Deuteronomy 17-29.  Happy reading, and God Bless You.

“Moore” Monday #7

Yes, I know it’s Tuesday, but my Monday was kind of hectic. 

HE WHO IS UNCONVINCED OF GOD’S

FORGIVING LOVE IS UNCONVINCED THAT

HE IS MORE THAN A CONQUEROR. 

Father God, You made my Savior’s life a guilt offering for me (Isa. 53:10).  His death was enough to handle my guilt. 

Lord Jesus, help me to accept and internalize the fact that if God is for me, who can be against me?  (Rom. 8:31).  It is You, God, who justifies (Rom. 8:33).  Who is he that condemns?  Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at Your right hand.  O God, and is also interceding for me (Rom. 8:34).

In all these things I am more than a conqueror through You who love me, Sovereign Lord (Rom. 8:37).

Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word Day by Day

God Speaks

I forgot to mention this earlier, and He reminded me of it just now.  It’s important because God is sharing it with me again.  This morning in church, the thought came into my head (God breathed it into my heart!) that I should read the bible like a book I’ve never read.  Read it as if you don’t know what the next page says, much less the ending.  Wow!  That brings a whole new perspective to things.  I was thankful that we no longer have to sacrifice!  If I look at it as it is, a true living story, and don’t know the ending, it’s pretty frightening.  I think we are blessed that our God is a patient and loving God, because He has put up with a lot of garbage from people along the way.  If I didn’t already know how to receive salvation, or saving grace, I’d really be worried. 

90 Day Bible Reading-Day 9 – 11

The title of this post really hurts.  I’ve been away since Thursday night, so no synopsis of the readings.  I have done the readings, just haven’t had the time to sit with the computer. 

What have we missed?  LEVITICUS 15 – NUMBERS 26

Can I sum it up in a few sentences?  More OT rules and regulations passed on to the Israelites.  Moses continues to lead them with Aaron.  The Israelites are a bunch of cry babies, constantly complaining to Moses about what God hasn’t done for them.  Moses prays to God to feed, water, forgive them….and God carries out His will. 

Yep, I guess I can make it short and sweet :)  The readings were definitely not sweet though.  God rescued them out of slavery in Egypt, but they could only forsake Him.  Reading this has shown me, encouraged me to be more thankful for His promises to me, and handle the daily junk with a different attitude.  I just want to be a faithful believer, and follow Christ.  The Israelites wandered around for 40 years yes, but they were free, and no longer prisoners or slaves.  Nor am I.  I have every creature comfort I could ever need or want, but that doesn’t matter.  What matters is that God is with me, and the Holy Spirit is in me, and Jesus died for me.  God promises me eternal life, if I abide in Him. 

Thank You Lord, for the snow that fell today, and for the moon in the sky tonight.  It reminds me of Your presence, and that brings me great comfort.  Sometimes we tend to skip over the truly Big things, and focus on ourselves.  When we have self focus, there’s no room for You.  Lord, forgive me for the times that I have done this, and forsaken You.  Help me to keep my eyes on You, to always bring You honor and glorify Your name.  Thank You for Your protection, goodness and love.  Without You I cannot endure the trials, but with You, I can survive and defeat the enemy.  Thank You for Your Word Lord, that You are revealing new truths to me everyday, and fortifying my armor for You.  I ask that You would continue to nourish my soul with Your Word, and fill me with a desire to know Your wisdom so that I may lead others to You.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Tomorrow we will read Numbers 27 – Deuteronomy 3.  It will be Day 12 of our journey.  He’s only asking us for 90 days, not 40 years!  Let’s not let Him down, and make His Word a priority. 

Sunday Scripture 9

sunday-scripture31.jpgNumbers 14:8-9  If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.  9 Only do not rebel against the Lord.  And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up.  Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us.  Do not be afraid of them. 

Joshua and Caleb spoke these words to the Israelites who had gone and explored Canaan and came back saying there was a vast amount of people living there who would overtake them.  What separated Joshua and Caleb from the rest of the group of explorers?  Faith.  The others had lost sight of all God had done for them, and didn’t trust that God would continue to take care of them.  Joshua and Caleb stood up to them in faith, or full confidence as my notes say, that God would protect them. 

He promises us a new earth.  Do you trust Him enough to stand up for Him, or will you forsake Him.  I pray that He is pleased with us, and He brings us into Heaven and the new earth, to live eternally in His presence. 

Stop over at Amy’s to read more Sunday Scripture.

God Has a Plan

When you’re cast about by the storms of life,

when your days are filled with doubt and strife,

when nothing makes sense, when it’s hard to stand,

Remember this-God has a plan.

God has a plan, keep clinging to this,

forget your agenda and look to His. 

He’s kept every promise he ever made.

He’s always on time, never early or late. 

Time ticks by on a clock wound by Him,

and only He knows when time will end.

As you walk by faith, cling to His hand,

and remember this, God has a plan.

“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)