7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Peter's talking about trials and sufferings here; God doesn't necessarily give us sufferings but allows us to go through them so that like gold and other precious metals, we'll become hardened and stronger through the fire. Whenever we're about to sing "Refiner's Fire", PaulCHOI always says how the song is nice, but the meaning is actually a pretty serious and scary thing, because when we sing that song, we're basically asking God to put us through the fire. Put us in the middle of the suffering so that in our weakness, God's glory shows.
14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
I guess being God's child comes with the ability to recognize evil from good. The real test is, though, can we walk the walk and not just talk the talk?
HappyNewYear :)
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Colossians 4
5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
This verse tells us that it's really important for us to live what we preach. Faith without deeds is dead. If we say something but it doesn't show in the way we live, then outsiders looking in would just say, "What's up with that??" Not a very good image of God.
6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
I really like this verse- i think it's up there with one of my tops. I always wondered why the bible uses the phrase 'salt & light', and then i realized it's because even the most miniscule amount can move and change. Even in the complete dark, one tiny candle can light up a room. When there's even a couple grains of salt on your lips, it leaves your taste buds all tingly and keeps your mouth smacking for more. Our conversations, our words and our actions need to be as if they were seasoned with salt. So that whenever we talk and mingle with non-believers (and nonbelievers), they'd taste that little bit and come for more.
This verse tells us that it's really important for us to live what we preach. Faith without deeds is dead. If we say something but it doesn't show in the way we live, then outsiders looking in would just say, "What's up with that??" Not a very good image of God.
6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
I really like this verse- i think it's up there with one of my tops. I always wondered why the bible uses the phrase 'salt & light', and then i realized it's because even the most miniscule amount can move and change. Even in the complete dark, one tiny candle can light up a room. When there's even a couple grains of salt on your lips, it leaves your taste buds all tingly and keeps your mouth smacking for more. Our conversations, our words and our actions need to be as if they were seasoned with salt. So that whenever we talk and mingle with non-believers (and nonbelievers), they'd taste that little bit and come for more.
Colossians 3
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
The five things that are so hard to do. It's hard to be compassionate in this especially dog-eat-dog world; everyone trying to get the best out of the world only for themselves. Hard to be kind, especially if you're one who seems to attract the not-so-kind people. Trying to be humble can actually make you the opposite. & most of all, being gentle and patient aren't ones immediately thought of when i think of my own characteristics. s i g hh..
The five things that are so hard to do. It's hard to be compassionate in this especially dog-eat-dog world; everyone trying to get the best out of the world only for themselves. Hard to be kind, especially if you're one who seems to attract the not-so-kind people. Trying to be humble can actually make you the opposite. & most of all, being gentle and patient aren't ones immediately thought of when i think of my own characteristics. s i g hh..
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Colossians 2
18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.
Paul warns the Colossians to beware of people cheating God and His people by preaching false philosophy and showing false humility. We can even see this in churches today, even at home, people trying to put on this humble face but overdoing it- false humility. People may be able to buy it, but God and the Holy Spirit can see right through us when we do that.
19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
..because doing all that will be like growing in ligaments and sinews, like tendons and not bones. those are all easily flimsy and flexible, not hard and grounded like how bones are. To grow in the word is like growing strong bones; preaching false worldly philosophies is like nurturing fake bones. Good analogy, Paul.
21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
There's this link back to genesis, when Adam & Eve took a bite of that forbidden fruit. God specifically told them like in verse 21, to "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!" God knew that just one bite of that fruit will make them come back for more...likewise, today when one person takes a bite out of sin, that person's heart will try going back for more even though it'll eventually kill them. Like smokers being addicted to nicotine. There's that harsh treatment of the body even though it's hidden by a false glorious appearance.
Paul warns the Colossians to beware of people cheating God and His people by preaching false philosophy and showing false humility. We can even see this in churches today, even at home, people trying to put on this humble face but overdoing it- false humility. People may be able to buy it, but God and the Holy Spirit can see right through us when we do that.
19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
..because doing all that will be like growing in ligaments and sinews, like tendons and not bones. those are all easily flimsy and flexible, not hard and grounded like how bones are. To grow in the word is like growing strong bones; preaching false worldly philosophies is like nurturing fake bones. Good analogy, Paul.
21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
There's this link back to genesis, when Adam & Eve took a bite of that forbidden fruit. God specifically told them like in verse 21, to "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!" God knew that just one bite of that fruit will make them come back for more...likewise, today when one person takes a bite out of sin, that person's heart will try going back for more even though it'll eventually kill them. Like smokers being addicted to nicotine. There's that harsh treatment of the body even though it's hidden by a false glorious appearance.
Colossians 1
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Being a pastor's kid taught me something pretty important very early in life, and it's that churches can't be made perfect through the power of its people. I can't even begin to count how many churches we had to move because of problems. It's so sad that the church, which is supposed to be the body of Christ can have so many problems- enough to drive the teacher out. Everyone has their own opinions about how the church should "run"..even though a church isn't supposed to be about logistics, God gives us the abilities and talents and gifts that when combined together helps. It gets in the way after a while and we start arguing about tying to run a church our own specific way. Paul here is telling Timothy (more like reminding) that underneath all he rules and regulations, God is at the head. Amidst all the fighting and bickering, and the worst of it- the dividing, there can only be reconciliation through Christ.
Being a pastor's kid taught me something pretty important very early in life, and it's that churches can't be made perfect through the power of its people. I can't even begin to count how many churches we had to move because of problems. It's so sad that the church, which is supposed to be the body of Christ can have so many problems- enough to drive the teacher out. Everyone has their own opinions about how the church should "run"..even though a church isn't supposed to be about logistics, God gives us the abilities and talents and gifts that when combined together helps. It gets in the way after a while and we start arguing about tying to run a church our own specific way. Paul here is telling Timothy (more like reminding) that underneath all he rules and regulations, God is at the head. Amidst all the fighting and bickering, and the worst of it- the dividing, there can only be reconciliation through Christ.
Friday, December 24, 2010
1 John 5
16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.
I never thought about sin this way. We discussed this topic maybe some weeks ago, about the difference between some sins. Some agreed that all sin is sin regardless of "levels", while others agreed that yeah all sin separates us from God, but some aren't as bad as others. I used to think the first, but after reading this is making me regard the latter a lot more. I also feel that this passage can be dangerous for some Christians, incase it gives them the idea that they have the right to classify sin into categories of weak, mild, and strong. But, we know that it's only God who sits in that judgment seat and the only thing we can do is pray for our other brothers & sisters. Because we all struggle daily with sin.
I never thought about sin this way. We discussed this topic maybe some weeks ago, about the difference between some sins. Some agreed that all sin is sin regardless of "levels", while others agreed that yeah all sin separates us from God, but some aren't as bad as others. I used to think the first, but after reading this is making me regard the latter a lot more. I also feel that this passage can be dangerous for some Christians, incase it gives them the idea that they have the right to classify sin into categories of weak, mild, and strong. But, we know that it's only God who sits in that judgment seat and the only thing we can do is pray for our other brothers & sisters. Because we all struggle daily with sin.
1 John 4
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Sometimes i find myself thinking about life after death, and i'll admit- i'm afraid of death. i'm afraid of not existing after i die, of not being this soul embodying this body forever. i know that God placed us on earth only temporarily and we're going to end up in heaven, our REAL home; but i won't lie, i'm afraid. I should really take this passage into heart, because John says that if i can understand God's love, His perfect love then there'll be no fear. Even though i practically have my whole life to live, it's this thought of a temporary-ness that scares me. "The one who fears is not made perfect in love"...how it applies and translates to me is that I'm still God's work in progress- not yet perfect, but becoming in His love.
Sometimes i find myself thinking about life after death, and i'll admit- i'm afraid of death. i'm afraid of not existing after i die, of not being this soul embodying this body forever. i know that God placed us on earth only temporarily and we're going to end up in heaven, our REAL home; but i won't lie, i'm afraid. I should really take this passage into heart, because John says that if i can understand God's love, His perfect love then there'll be no fear. Even though i practically have my whole life to live, it's this thought of a temporary-ness that scares me. "The one who fears is not made perfect in love"...how it applies and translates to me is that I'm still God's work in progress- not yet perfect, but becoming in His love.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
1 John 3
7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.
Our instructions are straightforward. Don't sin because it's un-Godly. It's not okay to continue living in sin because it is wicked and it will be impossible to become like God if we live in un-Godly ways. Very logical, simple, and to the point. But for some reason it's completely the opposite. Even when I'm trying to read the word and spend time with God, i shut it immediately if i get angry for some stupid reason. That's because I don't want to be in a hateful mood and be with God at the same time; it makes me feel like i'm being a hypocrite and my sin is ten times worse. But it makes more sense to open the bible in those moments, so that I can lay all that hate and sin at the feet of God and be purified through Him, not my own doings.
Our instructions are straightforward. Don't sin because it's un-Godly. It's not okay to continue living in sin because it is wicked and it will be impossible to become like God if we live in un-Godly ways. Very logical, simple, and to the point. But for some reason it's completely the opposite. Even when I'm trying to read the word and spend time with God, i shut it immediately if i get angry for some stupid reason. That's because I don't want to be in a hateful mood and be with God at the same time; it makes me feel like i'm being a hypocrite and my sin is ten times worse. But it makes more sense to open the bible in those moments, so that I can lay all that hate and sin at the feet of God and be purified through Him, not my own doings.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
1 John 2
18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
This part of the passage where John warns us about the anti-christs. We need to be careful (even back then as today) about what sorts of things we listen to and choose to believe. I know especially for me, I'm pretty gullible so I tend to get tempted to start believing what sounds pretty good..but scripture downright warns us that the world is going to offer us things that we won't be able to resist but eventually will lead us to death.
This part of the passage where John warns us about the anti-christs. We need to be careful (even back then as today) about what sorts of things we listen to and choose to believe. I know especially for me, I'm pretty gullible so I tend to get tempted to start believing what sounds pretty good..but scripture downright warns us that the world is going to offer us things that we won't be able to resist but eventually will lead us to death.
Monday, December 20, 2010
1 John 1
3 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, then we live out a lie.
This is sad but truthfully happens more often than we like. It's like when people ask me "hey how's your spiritual life?" am I supposed to answer differently from my "non-spiritual" life? It's because I used to live two separate lives and had to answer separately to those kinds of questions...we're supposed to live a holy life that's different from how people of the world live. It's scary because we actually do what the bible directly says is a lie.
Scripture tells us explicitly that as long as we confess our sins it sets us apart from those who sin and live it out. Although I know this and learned it and heard countless sermons about it, I stil need constant reminders and even rebuking on living truthfully because like it or not, I'm more easily tempted toward sin and the instant gratifications it gives me rather than eternal life promised to me by God.
This is sad but truthfully happens more often than we like. It's like when people ask me "hey how's your spiritual life?" am I supposed to answer differently from my "non-spiritual" life? It's because I used to live two separate lives and had to answer separately to those kinds of questions...we're supposed to live a holy life that's different from how people of the world live. It's scary because we actually do what the bible directly says is a lie.
Scripture tells us explicitly that as long as we confess our sins it sets us apart from those who sin and live it out. Although I know this and learned it and heard countless sermons about it, I stil need constant reminders and even rebuking on living truthfully because like it or not, I'm more easily tempted toward sin and the instant gratifications it gives me rather than eternal life promised to me by God.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Hosea 14
4 “I will heal their waywardness
and love them freely,
for my anger has turned away from them.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
he will blossom like a lily.
Like a cedar of Lebanon
he will send down his roots;
6 his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,
his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
7 People will dwell again in his shade;
they will flourish like the grain,
they will blossom like the vine—
Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.
8 Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?
I will answer him and care for him.
I am like a flourishing juniper;
your fruitfulness comes from me.”
This is what God says He'll do when his people come back to him. So many times i hide from God because of all my guilt for all the bad things that i did. but that's why God sent Jesus to die for us so that i could be freed from that guilt. All these people had to do was to put down their idols and come back to a God who still loved them. It's amazing how God doesn't ever classify his people into who did worse than who..everyone is still a child in His eyes as long as we give our lives to Him.
and love them freely,
for my anger has turned away from them.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
he will blossom like a lily.
Like a cedar of Lebanon
he will send down his roots;
6 his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,
his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
7 People will dwell again in his shade;
they will flourish like the grain,
they will blossom like the vine—
Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.
8 Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?
I will answer him and care for him.
I am like a flourishing juniper;
your fruitfulness comes from me.”
This is what God says He'll do when his people come back to him. So many times i hide from God because of all my guilt for all the bad things that i did. but that's why God sent Jesus to die for us so that i could be freed from that guilt. All these people had to do was to put down their idols and come back to a God who still loved them. It's amazing how God doesn't ever classify his people into who did worse than who..everyone is still a child in His eyes as long as we give our lives to Him.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Hosea 12
1 Ephraim feeds on the wind; he pursues the east wind all day and multiplies lies and violence. He makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.
kinda sounds like us as humans. Israel was always chasing after worthless things, these "bags of wind", and moved around kind of aimlessly while making allies with their enemy countries. what's so different between us and them? nothing except probably the time period. we live for a future that's temporary and make room for satan in our lives and hearts.
3 In the womb he grasped his brother's heel; as a man he struggled with God.
it's very illustrative about how human nature is so deep-rooted with sin even from conception.
8 Ephraim boasts, "I am very rich I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin."
funny how this verse is saying the very opposite of what actually happens. with more money, people become corrupt and wicked. money can't hide you..it's more of a homing device to disclose your location.
kinda sounds like us as humans. Israel was always chasing after worthless things, these "bags of wind", and moved around kind of aimlessly while making allies with their enemy countries. what's so different between us and them? nothing except probably the time period. we live for a future that's temporary and make room for satan in our lives and hearts.
3 In the womb he grasped his brother's heel; as a man he struggled with God.
it's very illustrative about how human nature is so deep-rooted with sin even from conception.
8 Ephraim boasts, "I am very rich I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin."
funny how this verse is saying the very opposite of what actually happens. with more money, people become corrupt and wicked. money can't hide you..it's more of a homing device to disclose your location.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Hosea 11
8 How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.
God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is the father who led His children out of slavery, and yet those same children use Him for bail and then just leave him. if this were the case in real life, the dad would probably beat that kid up. Despite his people's foolishness, He continued to care for them as they grew, but they grew with even more stubbornness. The past 10-11 chapters I've been reading about God and how he's going to punish those people. How much trouble they're in for living this life of sin. But this verse once again shows how wonderful God is and despite all that wrath and anger He has for those people, he's a gentle loving Father who hates to punish his children. and that's why in the next verses, God says that he's going to stop releasing his anger on them.
9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, now will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man- the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.
God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is the father who led His children out of slavery, and yet those same children use Him for bail and then just leave him. if this were the case in real life, the dad would probably beat that kid up. Despite his people's foolishness, He continued to care for them as they grew, but they grew with even more stubbornness. The past 10-11 chapters I've been reading about God and how he's going to punish those people. How much trouble they're in for living this life of sin. But this verse once again shows how wonderful God is and despite all that wrath and anger He has for those people, he's a gentle loving Father who hates to punish his children. and that's why in the next verses, God says that he's going to stop releasing his anger on them.
9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, now will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man- the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.
Hosea 8
7 They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no head; it will produce no flour. Were it to yield grain, foreigners would swallow it up.
You reap what you sow. The people of Israel were sowing wind, empty bags of nothingness. And what did they reap? Nothing. They put their time, money, and even worshipped all these nothings in the form of golden calves, and they should've expected nothing. The only way something actually of substance will grow is only if you plant seeds. Israelites didn't plant seeds; they planted wind. and so they reaped the whirlwind. These people who were once God's, sowed sin- adultery, carnal passion & desires, greed,.. and they reaped worse.
You reap what you sow. The people of Israel were sowing wind, empty bags of nothingness. And what did they reap? Nothing. They put their time, money, and even worshipped all these nothings in the form of golden calves, and they should've expected nothing. The only way something actually of substance will grow is only if you plant seeds. Israelites didn't plant seeds; they planted wind. and so they reaped the whirlwind. These people who were once God's, sowed sin- adultery, carnal passion & desires, greed,.. and they reaped worse.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Hosea 7
1 Whenever I would heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed. They practice deceit, thieves break into houses, bandits rob in the streets; but they do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds. Their sins engulf them; they are always before me.
Constant spiritual blindness. they keep rejecting the truth and righteousness by weaving sin in and out of their lives. although they may be able to live in denial from their sin, God still remembered all their wickedness.
9 Foreigners sap his strength, but he does not realize it. His hair is sprinkled with gray, but he does not notice.
Israel's being corrupted and worn down by sin. i'm guessing sin is the "foreigners" in this picture...the people of Ephraim, who were all once God's people are growing closer and closer to death because they're fully accepting sin in their lives.
11 Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless- now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria.
so apparently, doves (birds) are really stupid creatures. they look all pretty and pure, but they're incredibly dumb. they cry and cry until their predators hear them. who in this case are Egypt and Assyria- the predator nations. stupid birds. stupid Ephraim.
Constant spiritual blindness. they keep rejecting the truth and righteousness by weaving sin in and out of their lives. although they may be able to live in denial from their sin, God still remembered all their wickedness.
9 Foreigners sap his strength, but he does not realize it. His hair is sprinkled with gray, but he does not notice.
Israel's being corrupted and worn down by sin. i'm guessing sin is the "foreigners" in this picture...the people of Ephraim, who were all once God's people are growing closer and closer to death because they're fully accepting sin in their lives.
11 Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless- now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria.
so apparently, doves (birds) are really stupid creatures. they look all pretty and pure, but they're incredibly dumb. they cry and cry until their predators hear them. who in this case are Egypt and Assyria- the predator nations. stupid birds. stupid Ephraim.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Hosea 6
3 Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
It's weird how history repeats itself. I thought that was just a saying, but it's somewhat actually true! These people of Israel and Judah kept pissing God off, and then whenever God punished them they came back saying things like in this verse. Then God forgives them, and they go on about doing what they did as always.
Not unlike these people, we sin and sin and then when we start feeling a little bit of God's patience starting to wear off we come back. but just temporarily. We think of God as santa claus, who'll give us whatever we want as long as we're good. but that's not how it's supposed to be. that's why we gotta keep reading and keep pressing on so that we may know how to live and be really God's popl.
It's weird how history repeats itself. I thought that was just a saying, but it's somewhat actually true! These people of Israel and Judah kept pissing God off, and then whenever God punished them they came back saying things like in this verse. Then God forgives them, and they go on about doing what they did as always.
Not unlike these people, we sin and sin and then when we start feeling a little bit of God's patience starting to wear off we come back. but just temporarily. We think of God as santa claus, who'll give us whatever we want as long as we're good. but that's not how it's supposed to be. that's why we gotta keep reading and keep pressing on so that we may know how to live and be really God's popl.
Hosea 5
15 Then I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face - in their misery they will earnestly seek me.
Three important themes, or points that have been coming up repeatedly in Hosea: 1) sin & judgment, 2) consequences from the sins of God's people, and 3) stumbling.
I think it's important to learn that even though we sin, making things OKAY doesn't necessarily make everything okay. We can't justify ourselves by what we think is right- our sins can't be undone by doing good right after. it has to be understood that even the smallest sin we commit has been paid for by the blood of Christ. God is continuously giving His people chances and to come back to God, but they won't do it. They're hopelessly clinging onto the wrong things.
Three important themes, or points that have been coming up repeatedly in Hosea: 1) sin & judgment, 2) consequences from the sins of God's people, and 3) stumbling.
I think it's important to learn that even though we sin, making things OKAY doesn't necessarily make everything okay. We can't justify ourselves by what we think is right- our sins can't be undone by doing good right after. it has to be understood that even the smallest sin we commit has been paid for by the blood of Christ. God is continuously giving His people chances and to come back to God, but they won't do it. They're hopelessly clinging onto the wrong things.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Hosea 4
5-6 "You stumble day and night, and the prophets stumble with you. So I will destroy your mother - my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
It's understandable to be stumbling around at night, because you can't see anything. But these people were also stumbling around during the day because they rejected God's guidance. When they cast off God's restraint and knowledge, they left themselves to stumble. God also says the prophets will stumble with them. Prophets thoughts that because they were prophets, they'd be immune to sin. but...God says otherwise.
15 "Though you, Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty."
Apparently, of the 2 kingdoms Israel was the one that fell more to sin and adultery. So God tells them not to tempt Judah with them too....it's one thing if I sin. but if i try to take someone down with me- that's like double whamm-O.
17 Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!
There's one thing worse than having God angry at you and punish the crap out of you: God just gives you over to sin. THAT does not only mean that He doesn't care anymore, but he really really doesn't care if you sell your soul to the devil. He's just gonna let you go through hell. Scurry.
It's understandable to be stumbling around at night, because you can't see anything. But these people were also stumbling around during the day because they rejected God's guidance. When they cast off God's restraint and knowledge, they left themselves to stumble. God also says the prophets will stumble with them. Prophets thoughts that because they were prophets, they'd be immune to sin. but...God says otherwise.
15 "Though you, Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty."
Apparently, of the 2 kingdoms Israel was the one that fell more to sin and adultery. So God tells them not to tempt Judah with them too....it's one thing if I sin. but if i try to take someone down with me- that's like double whamm-O.
17 Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!
There's one thing worse than having God angry at you and punish the crap out of you: God just gives you over to sin. THAT does not only mean that He doesn't care anymore, but he really really doesn't care if you sell your soul to the devil. He's just gonna let you go through hell. Scurry.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Hosea 3
1 The Lord said to me, "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes."
2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. 3Then I told her, "You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you."
God first told Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman, and then when she cheats and does all that to him, Hosea is STILL to take her back and love her. God did the same, only on a whole another level. He bought us back by sacrificing His only Son's life. He nailed His only son on the cross so that he can have that relationship with us again, even though we cheated on God by having an affair with the world. Even if i try to think from a parent's point of view, there'd be no chance. No negotiation for my child's life for anything. And Jesus was God's one and only Son! The magnitude of God's love is so overwhelming.
2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. 3Then I told her, "You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you."
God first told Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman, and then when she cheats and does all that to him, Hosea is STILL to take her back and love her. God did the same, only on a whole another level. He bought us back by sacrificing His only Son's life. He nailed His only son on the cross so that he can have that relationship with us again, even though we cheated on God by having an affair with the world. Even if i try to think from a parent's point of view, there'd be no chance. No negotiation for my child's life for anything. And Jesus was God's one and only Son! The magnitude of God's love is so overwhelming.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Hosea 2
12 I will ruin her vines and her fig trees, which she said were her pay from her lovers; I will make them a thicket, and wild animals will devour them."
'Her vines and her fig trees' are symbols of a woman's fertility, and God says that He's going to take that away from her so she can stop committing adultery. Here, it sounds like God's trying to stop her from cheating on Hosea.
13 "I will punish her for the days she burned incense to the Baals; she decked herself with rings and jewelry, and went after her lovers, but me she forgot," declares the Lord.
...and then right in the next verse, it shifts so that Gomer is actually a symbol for the Israelites. Hosea's relationship Gomer is parallel to God's relationship with the Israelites. Both the latter are the adulterous, cheating wives of their faithful husbands.
15 "There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Anchor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt."
Although the Israelites committed this huge sin against God, He still loved them and called them back to Him. It's a perfect example of a perfect union between God and His church, because through Jesus' blood God is always taking back the one who turned on Him.
'Her vines and her fig trees' are symbols of a woman's fertility, and God says that He's going to take that away from her so she can stop committing adultery. Here, it sounds like God's trying to stop her from cheating on Hosea.
13 "I will punish her for the days she burned incense to the Baals; she decked herself with rings and jewelry, and went after her lovers, but me she forgot," declares the Lord.
...and then right in the next verse, it shifts so that Gomer is actually a symbol for the Israelites. Hosea's relationship Gomer is parallel to God's relationship with the Israelites. Both the latter are the adulterous, cheating wives of their faithful husbands.
15 "There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Anchor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt."
Although the Israelites committed this huge sin against God, He still loved them and called them back to Him. It's a perfect example of a perfect union between God and His church, because through Jesus' blood God is always taking back the one who turned on Him.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Hosea 1
2 When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, "Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord."
Can you even imagine if God told you to do that? All that saying about to not yoke with unbelievers takes on a whole different meaning when God commands you to do something. It's what that debate is even today amongst believers and non-believers, on the morality of God. Is something pious because He commands it, or does He command it because it is pious? The famous Euthyphro's Question. But it turns out that God tells Hosea to do this to illustrate His relationship with the people of Judah.
10 "Yet the Israelites will not be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' they will be called 'sons of the living God.'
God tells Hosea to name his children after the cities that God is going to punish, which is pretty depressing and a little humiliating. But- God is still good and He says that the punishments will not last forever, and they will be reunited with Christ once again. God does things in crazy, weird ways.
Can you even imagine if God told you to do that? All that saying about to not yoke with unbelievers takes on a whole different meaning when God commands you to do something. It's what that debate is even today amongst believers and non-believers, on the morality of God. Is something pious because He commands it, or does He command it because it is pious? The famous Euthyphro's Question. But it turns out that God tells Hosea to do this to illustrate His relationship with the people of Judah.
10 "Yet the Israelites will not be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' they will be called 'sons of the living God.'
God tells Hosea to name his children after the cities that God is going to punish, which is pretty depressing and a little humiliating. But- God is still good and He says that the punishments will not last forever, and they will be reunited with Christ once again. God does things in crazy, weird ways.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Jonah 4
But the Lord said, "You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left - and also many animals?
Jonah 4:10-11
I remember this passage being one of the most complex to read. It's because at first i couldn't understand what the point was for God to grow that plant, and have that worm eat it, etc etc....basically Jonah's PO'ed at God's compassion at these people. he tells Him, that's the reason he didn't want to go in the first place, because they were so stubborn and sinful who ran away from God, but the fact that God was having mercy on them just bugged Jonah. he's so angry to the point where he tells God to just kill him.
but to show Jonah where God's coming from, God takes away the plant that was giving Jonah the shade. Jonah gets angry at the plant for dying, and complains to God again, but this time, God explains in the passage above. Jonah is to compare his anger at something that he never cared for to God's anger at His people whom He created and loved.
it was a simple illustration for Jonah and even for us today, that God's anger and love and compassion is a million times greater than our own.
Jonah 4:10-11
I remember this passage being one of the most complex to read. It's because at first i couldn't understand what the point was for God to grow that plant, and have that worm eat it, etc etc....basically Jonah's PO'ed at God's compassion at these people. he tells Him, that's the reason he didn't want to go in the first place, because they were so stubborn and sinful who ran away from God, but the fact that God was having mercy on them just bugged Jonah. he's so angry to the point where he tells God to just kill him.
but to show Jonah where God's coming from, God takes away the plant that was giving Jonah the shade. Jonah gets angry at the plant for dying, and complains to God again, but this time, God explains in the passage above. Jonah is to compare his anger at something that he never cared for to God's anger at His people whom He created and loved.
it was a simple illustration for Jonah and even for us today, that God's anger and love and compassion is a million times greater than our own.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Jonah 3
6 When Jonah's warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust.
God told Jonah again to go tell Nineveh of the wrath that He's going to unleash onto them if they don't turn their ways. This verse, the king heard and the first thing he does is humbling himself by taking off his earthly robes.
10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
It's amazing how by one act by one person could change the heart of God. The king could've stubbornly kept his robes on, and told his people to keep on living all high and mightily. But he with his kingdom put down their old ways of living at the feet of God, and God didn't bring punishment on them. It's all about humbling yourself and admitting to your ways and coming before the Lord.
God told Jonah again to go tell Nineveh of the wrath that He's going to unleash onto them if they don't turn their ways. This verse, the king heard and the first thing he does is humbling himself by taking off his earthly robes.
10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
It's amazing how by one act by one person could change the heart of God. The king could've stubbornly kept his robes on, and told his people to keep on living all high and mightily. But he with his kingdom put down their old ways of living at the feet of God, and God didn't bring punishment on them. It's all about humbling yourself and admitting to your ways and coming before the Lord.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Jonah 2
Before delving into the Word, i just wanted to say..................
Happy December 1st!!!!!
Plus the first day of snow. how fitting to start the month with white fluffiness on the ground :]
Plus the first day of snow. how fitting to start the month with white fluffiness on the ground :]
{photo via atlasshrugs}
7-9 "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God's love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, 'Salvation comes from the Lord.'"
Jonah, unlike the people of Judah in the book of Jeremiah, came back to God and repented all the while praising Him. I find this oftentimes to be hard to do, because once i make a mistake, i don't like to admit to it- let alone acknowledge my lowliness and God's holiness. (hey, that rhymed LOL) Yeah, Jonah was a screwup who ran from God, but who isn't? I think the thing that makes him pretty admirable is the fact that he humbled himself before God, and confessed that it's only God's love that can save him, not idols.
10 And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
God could've just let Jonah rot in the belly of the fish, but was moved by Jonah's repentance, confession, and praise, and ta da- all's well again for Jonah.
7-9 "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God's love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, 'Salvation comes from the Lord.'"
Jonah, unlike the people of Judah in the book of Jeremiah, came back to God and repented all the while praising Him. I find this oftentimes to be hard to do, because once i make a mistake, i don't like to admit to it- let alone acknowledge my lowliness and God's holiness. (hey, that rhymed LOL) Yeah, Jonah was a screwup who ran from God, but who isn't? I think the thing that makes him pretty admirable is the fact that he humbled himself before God, and confessed that it's only God's love that can save him, not idols.
10 And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
God could've just let Jonah rot in the belly of the fish, but was moved by Jonah's repentance, confession, and praise, and ta da- all's well again for Jonah.
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