Tag Archives: Bible

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Habakkuk 3b finale

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!)

The first verse is explained in various versions (as obtained via Bible Hub) and on got questions.

Habakkuk 3 Amplified Bible (AMP)
God’s Salvation of His People
3 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, set to [a]wild and enthusiastic music.

Habakkuk 3 Living Bible (TLB)
3 This is the prayer of triumph[a] that Habakkuk sang before the Lord:

Habakkuk 3 World English Bible (WEB)
3 A prayer of Habakkuk, the prophet, set to victorious music.

In my research, no one really knows, but it sounds like the variations of worship, praise and prayer that we all see today in the variations of worshipers!

I’m going to do chapter three a little different than usual. I’m going to just list the verse, and add some cross references that come to mind. This chapter sounds so completely relevant to today, and the second coming of our Lord (Matthew 24). See if you agree.

Habakkuk 3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Habakkuk’s Third Prayer
3:1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. According to Shigionoth.[a]
2 O Lord, I have heard the report of you,
and your work, O Lord, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it;
in the midst of the years make it known;
in wrath remember mercy.

Some verse, then my verses. Do you agree? Do you have some to add?

Isaiah 43:2
Deuteronomy 31:8
Jeremiah 42:11

Matthew 24:22 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
22 Unless those days were limited, no one would[a] survive.[b] But those days will be limited because of the elect.

Psalm 85:6-9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 Will You not revive us again
so that Your people may rejoice in You?
7 Show us Your faithful love, Lord,
and give us Your salvation.

8 I will listen to what God will say;
surely the Lord will declare peace
to His people, His godly ones,
and not let them go back to foolish ways.
9 His salvation is very near those who fear Him,
so that glory may dwell in our land.

Back to Habakkuk 3

Description of our great God:
3 God came from Teman,
and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah
His splendor covered the heavens,
and the earth was full of his praise.

Psalm 48:10
Psalm 72:19
Psalm 113:4
Knowing Jesus has a compilation of verses about the earth being filled with His glory!

Isaiah 6:3 New International Version (NIV)
3 And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Praise Break!

Back to Habakkuk 3

4 His brightness was like the light;
rays flashed from his hand;
and there he veiled his power.

Matthew 24:27
Isaiah 30:30

Luke 17:24 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
24 For as the lightning flashes from horizon to horizon and lights up the sky, so the Son of Man will be in His day.

Revelation 1:12-20 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me. When I turned I saw seven gold lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man,[a] dressed in a long robe and with a gold sash wrapped around His chest. 14 His head and hair were white like wool—white as snow—and His eyes like a fiery flame. 15 His feet were like fine bronze as it is fired in a furnace, and His voice like the sound of cascading[b] waters. 16 He had seven stars in His right hand; a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth, and His face was shining like the sun at midday.[c]

Do you see the similarities? Not to mention that Jesus is the light of the world! I love seeing Jesus in the Old Testament tying together both testaments!

John 1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Prologue
1 In the beginning was the Word,[a]
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 All things were created through Him,
and apart from Him not one thing was created
that has been created.
4 Life was in Him,[b]
and that life was the light of men.
5 That light shines in the darkness,
yet the darkness did not overcome[c] it.

Habakkuk 3

5 Before him went pestilence,
and plague followed at his heels.[a]

“Things followed him”… not? I don’t think this means that pestilence and plague were part of God’s presence. I think this is part of the whole concept that where the holy God is, that which is unholy just trembles and dies! On the other hand, this also sounds very similar to the judgments in Revelation for His coming again to judge the living and the dead.
I’ve written a quickie guide to Revelation from the end to the beginning.
If you want to look up the judgments, start at Revelation 6.
There are many warnings in the Bible of judgement, both in the current lifetime of the prophet/writer, and in prophetic nature for the future. It is a part of the Christian’s theology.

Habakkuk 3

6 He stood and measured the earth;
he looked and shook the nations;
then the eternal mountains were scattered;
the everlasting hills sank low.
His were the everlasting ways.
7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction;
the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.

Zechariah 14:4
Psalm 73
End times verses, Matthew 24. PureFlix has compiled a few, as has Open Bible.

Back to Habakkuk 3

8 Was your wrath against the rivers, O Lord?
Was your anger against the rivers,
or your indignation against the sea,
when you rode on your horses,
on your chariot of salvation?

This is Habakkuk asking God questions.
What is being said here? Why is a chariot of salvation being called when he’s going forth pouring out judgement?
Salvation for those in the midst?

This brings to my mind the discussions about when the rapture is, when the tribulation is, and where are all the believers during any of this. If you checked out the above collections of verses for end times, you know that this sounds very much like some of the judgments in Revelation! I’m not qualified to write much about this, but there are those who are, and they do not agree! All about God is one place I like to go to for some answers. My belief lines up with a Keith Green quote – “pray for Pre, Prepare for Post” as in, no one knows the hour or day, so be prepared!

My looking at the various scriptures, of which I do not have the space to list here, I am preparing for mid trib rapture. Why? That’s what I see when I look at the whole of the end times verses. Also, it’s what I see as how God works with his children…He saves them in the midst of the storm! My other reason, how terrible will it be for those that are not preparing for any true persecution to find out that they are in the first three and a half years of the tribulation, not raptured out before hand as they had been taught, and completely ill prepared to stand for God in the midst of the horrors that, well, honestly, are going on every where else in the world but here in America. The Bible warns that many will fall away and hearts will grow cold. How many are falling away because the prosperity doctrine does not work for them? How many fall away because it’s been preached that they will be healed in this life, and they continue to suffer, or lose a child, or what have you? Why won’t God answer their prayers? and the spiral starts. Be prepared! And we can rejoice if we are raptured before the tribulation!

Back to Habakkuk 3

9 You stripped the sheath from your bow,
calling for many arrows.[b] Selah
You split the earth with rivers.
10 The mountains saw you and writhed;
the raging waters swept on;
the deep gave forth its voice;
it lifted its hands on high.
11 The sun and moon stood still in their place
at the light of your arrows as they sped,
at the flash of your glittering spear.
12 You marched through the earth in fury;
you threshed the nations in anger.

Still sounds very much like His last campaign on the Earth to separate the sheep from the goats. Just read the various passages listed herein.

Back to Habakkuk 3

13 You went out for the salvation of your people,
for the salvation of your anointed.
You crushed the head of the house of the wicked,
laying him bare from thigh to neck.[c] Selah
14 You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors,
who came like a whirlwind to scatter me,
rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret.

There’s a verse about the end times enemies turning upon themselves and hiding. They did so many times in Old Testament battles. One such is Gideon in Judges 7:17-22. Also 1 Samuel 14:20, and 2 Chronicles 20 .

The key for believers to remember is this… the children are saved, in the midst of the judgement. Remember the three Hebrew children, and Daniel in the lions’ den, and Joseph in the pit, and then the jail, and then raised up to deliver the world as they knew it! I discussed this in IBBS Habakkuk 2

Psalm 46:10-11 New International Version (NIV)
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Habakkuk 3

15 You trampled the sea with your horses,
the surging of mighty waters.

16 I hear, and my body trembles;
my lips quiver at the sound;
rottenness enters into my bones;
my legs tremble beneath me.
Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble
to come upon people who invade us.

This is in light of the scripture shared above that except the day be cut short even the very elect would fall away. Here are some verses about our responsibility and our comfort for the end times.

Isaiah 54:17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
17 No weapon formed against you will succeed,
and you will refute any accusation[a]
raised against you in court.
This is the heritage of the Lord’s servants,
and their righteousness is from Me.”
This is the Lord’s declaration.

Isaiah 41:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you;
I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.

Luke 10:19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
19 Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will ever harm you.

Ephesians 6:10-20 is our responsibility to be prepared for battle, remembering this:

Ephesians 6:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

Romans 12:19 with Proverb 20:22

Psalm 37
Who better to fight for us than the God of all Creation?
Jesus is the prince of Peace…Psalm 23 goes nicely here.
As Psalm 46:10 says, Be Still and know that I am God!

Back to Habakkuk 3

Habakkuk Rejoices in the Lord
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.

No matter what happens around us we need to rejoice in the Lord and joy in the God of our salvation because He is the strength of our heart and He does make our feet like Hinds feet that walk on high places!

My Joy blogs –

a year ago I wrote Joyful Joyful about my decision to choose joy.
a Quick read about Joy from my Advent series.
I also have written about my struggle with depression, and how I’ve had to choose joy. One such blog is Oil of Joy, my testimony.
Another is Whose Joy am I responsible for, an addition to my joy journey.

Why am I talking about Joy in the midst of talking about end time events? I defined Joy for myself several years ago:

Joy is not dependent upon the things going on around me. It depends upon the Joy that is within me –

Another point of view is that

Happiness comes from Happenings, but Joy comes from Jesus.

If we depend on things around us to determine our joy, we will be sadly disappointed, if not depressingly despairing.
If our Joy is based upon Jesus residing in us, no one, NOTHING can take that from us, and we will have the Love of God within us, and the Peace of God sustaining us! Remember the first three fruit of the Spirit are listed as Love, Joy, and Peace! These are gifts to us from our heavenly father because HE KNOWS what’s going to happen! Let’s thank him!

Praise Charts has a list of various Christian Songs to praise the Lord and give Him thanks.

Here’s my praise Break!

Final bit of Habakkuk:

To the choirmaster: with stringed[d] instruments.

Remember that in all of things, we should worship. Worship is our greatest weapon!

Patheos has written a collection about verses to ward off the enemy.

Let me know what you think about this!
~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Habakkuk 3a

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!)

IBBS Habakkuk Introduction
IBBS Habakkuk 1
IBBS Habakkuk 2

Habakkuk 3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Habakkuk’s Third Prayer
3 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. According to Shigionoth.[a]

2 Lord, I have heard the report about You;
Lord, I stand in awe of Your deeds.
Revive Your work in these years;
make it known in these years.
In Your wrath remember mercy!

Please read all of Habakkuk 3 – but for now, I want to continue some thoughts from the previous posts.

To review:
In IBBS Habakkuk 1, we discussed that sometimes bad things happen to discipline us. that is not always the case.

Sometimes, it’s to test us…(though we are told not to blame God for our temptations!

James 1:12-15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 A man who endures trials[a] is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God[b] has promised to those who love Him.

13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil,[c] and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

There are those that fall because of their own lusts…and they need Psalm 38

The truth is, that there are those that are refined by the fire, and that refining has a higher purpose!

I discussed those who experienced a higher purpose with the refining fire. The question is, do we realize that God uses EVERYTHING to cause us to grow into the fullness of Christ?

Does God discipline his children?
I believe the answer is yes.

Job 33:16-25

Job 5:17-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
17 See how happy the man is God corrects;
so do not reject the discipline of the Almighty.
18 For He crushes but also binds up;
He strikes, but His hands also heal.

Proverbs 3:11-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son,
and do not loathe His discipline;
12 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves,
just as a father, the son he delights in.

Psalm 94 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 Lord, happy is the man You discipline
and teach from Your law
13 to give him relief from troubled times
until a pit is dug for the wicked.

Revelation 3:19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed[a] and repent.

1 Corinthians 11:28-32 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
28 So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body,[a] eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep. 31 If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.

Deuteronomy 8:5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 Keep in mind that the Lord your God has been disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.

2 Chronicles 6:27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
27 may You hear in heaven
and forgive the sin of Your servants
and Your people Israel,
so that You may teach them the good way
they should walk in.
May You send rain on Your land
that You gave Your people for
an inheritance.

Hebrews 12:5-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons:
My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly
or faint when you are reproved by Him,
6 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves
and punishes every son He receives.[a]

Jeremiah 31:18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
18 I have heard Ephraim moaning,
“You disciplined me, and I have been disciplined
like an untrained calf.
Restore me, and I will return,
for you, Lord, are my God.

2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version (KJV)
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

There’s a difference designated…those who are God’s people,and those who are not.

Job 27:8 For what hope does the godless man have when he is cut off,
when God takes away his life?

None…because those that Love the Lord have the hope of living out eternity with God in His Kingdom.

Eccl 8:12-14
12 Although a sinner commits crime a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I also know that it will go well with God-fearing people, for they are reverent before Him. 13 However, it will not go well with the wicked,and they will not lengthen their days like a shadow, for they are not reverent before God.14 There is a futility that is done on the earth: there are righteous people who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked people who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile.

As I said above, Psalm 38 is a cry for repentance. Those that Love God, and are wanting to please Him, know when they have sinned, and they cry out. There is now no condemnation…but there is conviction!

Romans 8 King James Version (KJV)
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Read the rest of Roman’s 8 to find our what the child of God’s position of sin ought to be.

The question IS who is righteous and who is unrighteous in God’s eyes.

To point that out we just need to list a bunch of scriptures about righteousness versus unrighteous. Google gives options. I’ve linked and posted a few above.

Or, we could utilize Ray comfort’s method for determining if we are good enough to make it into heaven.
Or my version of his questions:

Or we could just settle with the scripture

Romans 3:23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the[a] glory of God.

with

Romans 6:23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It is only in Christ Jesus that we are considered righteous. There is no room for pride or elitism.

And since sacrifices in the Old Testament were the foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, trying to live your life according to all the rules of the Old Testament, and then confessing your sins and having faith in the sacrifices, that was what was considered righteous back then.

The thing is, the concept of grace and mercy is far misunderstood today.

Grace is getting that which you do not deserve and
mercy is not getting that which you do deserve.
Got Answers has a great explanation of the difference.

We all deserve the wages of sin which are death.
We all can embrace the gift of God which is eternal life by falling upon The Mercy Seat that had the final sacrifice of Christ’s blood applied.

I’m often disturbed by how many Christians look at God as a Santa God. Only providing good things and never asking us for anything in return.
Jesus himself gave some very clear commands!

Mark 12:30-31 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.[a][b]
31 “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself.[c] There is no other command greater than these.”

That doesn’t sound like he wiped out the Ten Commandments, or any of the other laws and Prophets as guides for how we should live!
What He wiped out is that we will not have to answer for being Human and failing.
We will have to answer for a lack of faith,
for lack of enduring to the end,
for a lack of holding on,
for a lack of continuing in well-doing,
for not walking in those works for which we were created.

Now, salvation is based on Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and having him being the Lord and Master Of Our Lives.
There are plenty of verses that say that there are rewards for those who have their heads chopped off for the kingdom.
Or for those who have lost all things in this world for Christ, or for those who…???
Yet, that isn’t always the requirement.
AND they are NOT the REQUIREMENT for salvation. They are the EVIDENCE!

The Bible says that those who teach are held to a higher standard than those who are ignorant. Something for which I am very aware.

I find it hard dealing with the physical and mental issues the God has allowed to continue in my life.
I find it hard to be joyful in the face of discouragement,
to be patient in the face of an ongoing trial, or
to be gracious to someone who has hurt me over and over and over possibly more than 70 times 7.

What I’m saying is, sometimes, when I get a little too comfortable in my life, I need the Lord to get my attention and if that is his disciplining hand to remind me that I am his child, I will say thank you for that!

What does this have to do with Habakkuk?
In Habakkuk’s day, being taken to Babylon was God’s disappointing hand to a people who had become too comfortable and we’re turning their backs on the one who gives them life.
God was promising Habakkuk that there would come a day that there would be judgment and that the joy of the people would be restored.

I’m going to answer that question, and discuss Habakkuk 3 in IBBS Habakkuk 3b.

In Itty Bitty Bible Study Galatians 1:1-10, you can read about how quickly the believers fell away!
In Itty Bitty Bible Study Galatians 2:11-21, you can read about Paul’s perspective on how Grace and a sinful life relate!

Itty Bitty Bible Study Galations 5 talks about how we can become UNentangled from sin!

Itty Bitty Bible Study Ephesians 1:2-6 talks about WHY Jesus did what he did.

In Itty Bitty Bible Study Ephesians 1:15-23I talk more about the WHY. What is it that Paul is praying for us? How to overcome the world, through Christ.

I know there is a lot of scripture in this blog.
I know there is a lot of reference to additional blog posts.
The thing is, in my world, there is only one truth…ONE TRUTH…and that is the Word of God.
Nothing I say can set you free…only the SON can set you free!

John 8:31-36
This is Jesus speaking! BIBLE!

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

My prayer for you is that through Habakkuk, and all studies of the Word of God, you will be set free, and know The Prince of Peace!

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

Advent 2015 day 18 – Faith

Advent day 18
light the 18th candle

Advent day 18

here’s a nice version of O Come all Ye faithful to listen to while reading.

I’ve been meditatiing on the WORDS of Christmas – Joy, Love, Peace – and they are the first three fruits of the Spirit:

Eph 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

There are ornaments all around that have these words on them – but recently, there are new ones popping up that say “I believe”.

There is a current cultural thing to say I believe – but the question I ask is “what do you believe?” or more specifically “In WHAT or WHOM do you believe?”

belief implies faith
from Merriam Webster:

Full Definition of faith
plural faiths play \ˈfāths, sometimes ˈfāthz\
1
a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty
b (1) : fidelity to one’s promises (2) : sincerity of intentions
2
a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion
b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust
3: something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs

The word Belief is used to define the word faith.

The Bible defines Faith this way:
Heb 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hope is another word that is thrown about at Christmas time, and it goes hand in hand with Faith.

When something is created, it is created with some sort of substance. A Lego Milkshake is made by the substance of legos, the legos are created by the substance of plastic. before the legos, there came the idea, and the hope that it could be done, and the faith that all their experiences and knowledge would be able to see the final product.

Jim with a Lego milkshake

Before it was a real lego milkshake, it was a thought in someone’s mind. They believed they could build legos, and they believed they could use those legos to build a milkshake. First, they had the thought, and they HOPED they could do it. The milkshake was not seen, until they went through the steps to build it. Once it was seen, there was no need for faith, belief or hope. They KNEW they could do it, because they had the visible proof before them. But someone first had the thought!

Faith – one of the definitions is “firm belief in something for which there is no proof”

Many people say that those of us with religious faiths have ‘blind faith’.
My faith is not blind.
I cannot explain creation around me without the knowledge that there was a creator.
If a camera had a creator, then how did the eye just happen?
If prosthetics have creators, then how did the foot, ankle, knee, wrist, hand, elbow, hip just happen?

Man cannot create water – how did it get here?
How does the bumble bee fly?
How does the hummingbird fly?
Why are we at just the right distance from the sun to maintain warmth, with the moon exactly the right distance to cause the tides? Just because Star Trek found all sorts of class M planets does not mean there really are. But if there were, how did they happen?
And then, there are those that will not believe in a creator God that created, and is intimately involved in the lives of His children. They believe in Aliens that came and planted us here.

Well, God is alien to us – his ways are not our ways.
He is infinite, I am finite.
He is omniscient, I only know what I know.

And what I know is that there is a creator for this creation.
I have faith that Jesus Christ is His Son, who came, lived, died and rose again on my behalf.
My hope is that someday, I will see him face to face.
And when that day comes, there will be no more need for faith, because we will know all things and know Him completely.

What do you believe?
Whom do you believe?
And does it make your life better for the believing?

The ornament for today is a cross – to signify in Whom I have faith.

wooden cross

cross of nails

cross with Jesus’s names

crochet cross

Oh Come all ye faithful by Casting Crowns

More Advent Devotions

Advent day 19 – Mary

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.

Advent Day 13- Stone

Advent day 13

light the 13th candle on the Advent Log

Advent day 13

I asked for some help in choosing some additional symbols/names of Christ on facebook.

One option was “The Rock” from Ps 18:46

The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Here is some beautiful piano music to listen to while reading this blog.

here are two of my favorite responses:

Amy Head:

I actually like the corner stone idea or the rock. As you said Jesus is our rock and cannot be moved or shaken. It also made me think of (and I know this is Easter) but when the stone was moved from Jesus’ grave. How stones are frequent in the word and are powerful things no matter how small. Wind, just like sin, is invisible but you can feel it and know it’s there but wind, like sin, cannot move a stone and the stone is like the word of the Lord.

Rebecca Graves:

I kept thinking of the song On Christ the solid rock I stand. I am glad my feet are not on sinking sand. Altars in the old testament we made of a pile of rocks. They were remembrances of what God had done strewn around the landscapes in various places.

And Rebecca’s post brought this reply from Nellwyn Blackmon:

…that reminds me of one of my favorite verses. ..Psalm 40:2

I love having friends that share my faith, and can give me input into how to worship and honor my Lord and Savior.

Jesus is the rock

Jesus is the solid rock on which we stand…as opposed to sinking sand.
Ps 40:2(Ps 27:5; Matt 7:24-27)

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

Jesus is the corner stone the builders rejected, as in the leaders of the church of that day.
Ps 118:22

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

Matthew 21:42

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Jesus is the rock
Ps 61:2

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

He is our shelter, our refuge(as that rock):
Ps 61:3

For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

There is the verse that says that we either fall upon the rock for forgiveness or the rock will fall upon us to crush us. The relationship with the rock depends on our heart towards the rock.

Another focus is that we are to build a foundation based upon that rock – Jesus.
1 Cor 3:11

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

We build upon the Rock of Jesus by listening to His words:
Matthew 7:24-25

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

And if not:
Matthew 7:26-27

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Ornaments:

Rocks from Craft store

Affix paper clips with hot glue

Jesus is the Rock ornament

These are not typical Christmas/Advent hymn, but are the perfect explanation of why it is so perfect as symbolism for Christ:

Advent 11
More Advent Studies

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.

Advent 2015 – day 11 – A Key

Today is the 11th day of Advent.

light the 11th candle.

On the 9th Day of Advent, I thought about the scepter, and how it being extended out to the servant was the code for entering into the King’s Presence. This is similar to a code to enter in for security.

On the 8th Day of Advent, I was thinking about the Kingship of the Father God. He owns the ‘house’, and He gets to say who comes in and who does not.

Today, it’s the key.

Key of David

There are so many ways to focus upon the word “key”.
A noun – the keys of David.

Revelation 3:7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.

The keys of death and hades.

Revelation 1:18 – I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

As an Adjective, Analogy, Symbolism in concept – Jesus is the key to Eternal Life:

John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

A key opens up something.
Usually, it’s because someone wants inside!
As I said on the 8th, for our security system, we have a code, but you still need a key to enter in.
There are keys to blessings – treasures – such as in Malachi 3:10:

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Deuteronomy 11:13

And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,(and then follows many blessings, also listed in Deuteronomy 28)

Matthew 13:44

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Often, I get told “that is old testament, it isn’t appropriate now! We are under Grace!”
We are under grace because humans could not keep the laws! But that does not mean the laws are not good! Who would eliminate the Ten Commandments? Most faith’s have some form of code of behavior. What does the Christian Bible say? What does the Christian Lord Jesus say?

John 14:15

“If you love me, keep my commands.

And, the dear Apostle John wrote that it is KEY to the proof of the love of God!
1 John 5:3-4

3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

But, in a noun sense, Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection are the KEY to enter into the Kingdom.
The Website GodVine.com has a list of scriptures that explain the concept of entering into the Kingdom of Heaven, also known as Salvation.

2 Timothy 1:9-10

9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

John 3:23

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

But there is one other key mentioned – the Key of David, as in RULER.

Isaiah 22:22

I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. (also Revelation 3:7)

JESUS OPENS THE DOOR! or shuts the door. Because he has the KEY to the ruling house of Israel! Jesus is the reigning King!
By applying the keys to salvation, He opens the door, and welcomes us in.

Luke 11:9

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.(also Revelation 3:20)

My heart soars to think that my King and Savior has provided me the key to enter in to the Holy of Holies, to be able to come boldly before the throne of the Most High God!
He died for me so that I could be free of the price of my sins!
The Father rose him from the dead to break the bands of death!
Jesus sits on the right hand of the Father interceding for me!

Oh what Joy fills my heart! I have goosebumps, and heart shivers thinking of how much God Loves me – and knowing that my comprehension of His all encompassing love if so small because of my finite mind.

Today, I celebrate Jesus as the key, code, and deliverer of my salvation.
And I confess that Jesus is my Lord, and I will follow Him!

Today’s hymn is the fourth verse ofO Come, O Come Emmanuel, talking about the Key of David.

Enjoy this version by Pentatonix:

Advent Day 10
More Advent Devotions

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.

Advent 2015 – Day 10, Rising Sun

Advent day 10

Light the 10th Candle on the log.

There is a saying, “it’s always darkest before the dawn.”
That saying never made much sense to me. Sitting on the beach, watching the sun rise, the darkness flees to the degree the light is coming.

Pre-Sunrise Beach at Ft Lauderdale.

Sunrise Beach at Ft Lauderdale

The one thing I noticed while watching the sunrise in the various resort towns is that prior to the sun rising, there is an almost agreed upon hush. Those that are out at this time, even the workers around the pools and restaurants, speak in hushed tones until the sun rises. There is almost an air of the sacred in those moments.

I know that there are those that worship the sun, and therefore, to them, it is sacred.
For me, it illustrates the light of Christ shining into my darkness.

Isaiah 60:1-3 speaks of the promise of light to those who seek him.

1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Actually, it’s speaking of Zion, and when the Lord will return.
Is 9:2, prior to the great Christmas passage, says this:

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

Jesus said

“I am the Light of the World; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

In the believing Jews’ world, Jesus definitely changed things from dark to light. For those that did not believe, their worlds changed as well, because now they had to answer to this new development.
In my world,

in 1969, Jesus came into my life, and turned my heart from one of seeking my own will to one of seeking to please Him.
In 1973, I met an evangelist that explained more fully what had happened when I asked Jesus to come live and rule in my heart.
In 1975, I was introduced to a fellowship that believed in following Jesus, and learning by reading their Bibles.
In 1977, I learned that the Holy Spirit was still alive and well and powerful on planet earth.

And year after year after year, I continued to grow in knowledge of the Word of God, understanding of His love for me, and in how to control my appetites.

Prov 4:18

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Growing in Christ is growing brighter and brighter, more and more like Jesus.
When Moses saw God, his face shown with a great light.
Which reminds me of an explanation given by a musician from the 70’s Jesus movement, Barry MaGuire.

There is no light IN us.
God is the Sun, and we are the moon, we just reflect HIS light.

This explanation helps me to remember that every good gift and every perfect gift comes from above, from the father of lights, in whom is no shadow or turning.(James 1:17)
Just like I cannot take credit for my own salvation, being saved by grace through faith, and that not of my own, it is the gift of God (Eph 2:1-9), I cannot take credit for any good gift, shining light or godliness in my life. I am merely reflecting the light that God shines into my life.

I’ve had my share of depression and despair – darkness that surrounds my heart and my mind. I am not naive enough to say that the light of Christ causes all those dark shadows to flee, because, they haven’t. Oh how I wish they would! And yet, I daily have to choose to enter into His presence for the light unto my path for that day. I daily have to choose not to embrace the depression that would have me dwell in the dark past, or upon wounds long gone. Yes, there are chemical imbalances within me that God could heal if He chose to. And Yes, I have yelled at him for not choosing to do so. And yes, I have to repent for yelling at my King!

Another saying:

The soul would have no rainbow
if the eye no tear.

Those that have suffered depression, and despair are more appreciative of joy and hope, because they know the lack thereof.
I see it as my calling to share my stories of darkness in order to find others in darkness, and then, help them to find joy and hope. Not always do they find Jesus, but Jesus is my joy, hope and light.

A Sunrise or Day-Spring is the symbol for this day.

A Rising Sun

Dear Lord, please help me to remember your light will rise upon my darkness when it threatens to take over my heart and mind. Please help me to share your hope with those that suffer in the darkness. For me, that darkness is depression and suicide and pain. None of these things are the promised gifts of the cross, and yet, I know that you have never ignored me when I yield to your plan for my life. When I seek you, I have always found you. I may not agree with your plans, but I have always found them to be the best, in my limited hindsight. Please continue to use me, and deliver me from the enemy, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

note – I am fully aware that most would consider this symbol of Christ to mean delivering a person out of the darkness of sin and into the light of the Kingdom of Christ. Obviously, that happened to me in 1969. There are many resources for such symbolism. This is my story, my calling, and my heart cry – to set free the captives of such darkness as depression and mental illness, and if anyone cares to join me in that journey – welcome!

Song for today is the verses 1-3 of O Come O Come Emmanuel

Advent Day 9

More Advent Devotions

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.

Advent 2015 – Day 8, Second Sunday of Advent

Advent Day 8, or the Second Sunday in Advent

Advent Day 8 – light the eighth candle on the log

Advent Log, 8 candles

New this year is a Facebook group Advent at the WildBerry Patch, where we can discuss ideas, recipes and photos of our advent preparations!

Second Sunday of Advent – light the second candle on the wreath

What is the purpose of the Advent Wreath?
What is the purpose of any of this?
Symbols! Symbolism!

The prophecies talked about signs.
But we were also given symbols to explain more completely the aspects of God.
The wreath – well, that is a relatively recent symbology.
But people have been using candles as a symbol of incense, our prayers rising to God.

I grew up Episcopalian. This church broke off from the Roman Catholic Church.
Methodists grew out of the Episcopal/Anglican brothers, John and Charles Wesley.
Of course, there are many permutations of these specific denominations, but these three, and the Lutherans, are what I call Liturgical.
Yes, the liturgy is the worship program.
What I am talking about is the Church Calendar.
Everything has a time and season.
Everything has symbols(I should have listened more closely in catechism!).
Speaking of symbols, there are whole courses that can be taken for the symbolism in art – much because art has always been a form of worship of one’s God.

There are so many variations on symbolism that I searched for something to give me a little bit of focus this year.
Circle of Light provides multiple Advent Themes for using on the Four Sundays of Advent.

Advent 1 – Hope, Expectations, Prophecies
Advent 2 – Love, Hope, Angels
Advent 3 – Joy, Joy, Shepherds – this candle is often pink
Advent 4 – Peace, Purity, Magi
Christmas Day – the Christ Candle(sitting in the middle)

There are books galore by almost every Christian author for celebrating Advent.
I even have one that goes through Handel’s Messiah, and it includes great works of art depicting that story.

My point is, this is a good time to look at some more symbolism.

Today, I am meditating on Christ as King, and the symbolism is a crown.

19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. Rev 19:16

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zechariah 9:9-16

A king.
At that time, and even in some monarchies today, the King’s word was IT. Obey it, or be killed.

Zechariah 9:9-16 gives a beautiful description of what kind of King Jesus is, and what he will do for his people. Jesus is no ordinary King.

What is the purpose of a King? To guide, protect and care for those under his rule.

Jesus will do that, if I let him.
Do I let him?
If I say that Jesus is my King, do I act like it?

The Bible gives me so much to guide my life, like a constitution, or rule book, or guidebook for my life as the servant of the Most High King.

I know many things that I should do – like embrace the fruit of the Spirit,

Love,
Joy,
Peace,
Patience,
Goodness,
Kindness,
Faithfulness,
Gentleness and
Self Control.

I know some things that I should not do –

Idology,
Graven Images,
Defame the Lord’s Name,
Ignore the Sabbath,
Dishonor my parents,
Murder,
Adultery,
Steal,
Lie,
Envy.

I am neither consistent in doing what I ought, nor not doing what I ought not.

In the Anglican Prayer book, in the confession, it says:

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from Your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is nothing good in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; according to Your promises declared unto men in Christ Jesus our Lord. Grant that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life; to the glory of His name. Amen

No, I do not honor the Lord as King in my Life.
So often, I end up on the throne of my own heart, after saying that I want HIM to sit on the throne of my heart. The beauty in Christ is that He is a loving, forgiving KING – and I cry out for His mercies often.

The Symbol? A Crown.

Simple Crown Ornament

Crown Him

This particular photo, of a very nice ornament, will not rotate into the media part of WordPress. This is another situation where I have to allow Christ to be King in my life. I do not know how to do many things, and sometimes, it becomes very evident in a very public way. This whole photo has been a study in practicing patience, because things just didn’t want to work right.
I THINK that God should have everything perfect.
I KNOW that I am not perfect.
Because of these to points of view, I tend to quit.
I give up.
I cannot be perfect, therefore, I do not serve my King in the ways in which He asks of me.
Lord, again, I come to you and crown you as Lord and King of my life.

More Advent Devotions

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.

Advent 2015 – Day 4

Advent 2015, day 4, Wednesday after 1st Sunday of Advent.
If using an Advent Log or candles, light the 4th candle.

Fourth Candle

New this year is a Facebook group Advent at the WildBerry Patch, where we can discuss ideas, recipes and photos of our advent preparations!

From our original Advent Devotional:

What! Are We Waiting? (light the fourth candle)
“What! – are we waiting!?”
Yes, we’re waiting.
“But I just can’t wait….!”
Oh no? Why not? What makes waiting for anything – or anyone – hard to do? Why are we so impatient?
Think about some of the instant things we enjoy: instant Kool-Aid, instant coffee, instant touch-tone “dialing,” instant …(make your own list).
What are some things for which we must wait, besides Christmas? (Make your own list…) Are any of those things worth waiting for? Why or why not?

In 2022, I heard an Advent Hymn that I’d never heard before – People Look East.
Here’s the People Look East Lyrics!

For many years, I worked with a devotional called “Celebrate While We Wait” for Advent. We wanted to clearly move away from Santa, which we did not agree with, towards celebrating the gift of Christ, and remembrances. Advent means to wait.

400 years between the Old and New Testament.
40 years wandering in the Wilderness of sin before entering into the promised land.
40 months – I need something for this one.
40 weeks – for a mother to give birth to a child, such as Mary.
40 days – Jesus fasting in the Wilderness, Noah waiting for the rain to stop.
And Daniel prayed.
And Moses was on the back side of a mountain.
so many people in the Bible were waiting – not for some temporal gift wrapped in a tree killing, un-recyclable paper and bow – but for God to move on their behalf.

Here are some of the Arch books that we read about people waiting.

Since the day that Adam and Eve spoke with God in the garden about their sin, God promised them a savior.
God promised Abraham a savior.
God promised Israel a savior.
God promises us a savior.
Here’s the book we unwrapped to read about this concept.

Christ-mass is so much more than a baby in the manger – and the baby in a manger is such a series of miracle stories in itself. There was only one reason for the birth of the Christ Child…but that’s not my remembrance today.

Waiting takes patience.
Patience is a virtue.

The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, PATIENCE….
Love is PATIENT and kind….

Patience – this is not something that comes easy for me…or for many folks.

But, waiting IS the precursor to seeing.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for (as in, waiting for), the evidence of things not seen(things that aren’t here yet).(Hebrews 11:6)

Anna and Simon waited for the arrival of the savior…many years in the temple. They were both patient.

The ornament for this day is a Noah’s ark I found.

Noah’s Ark

The song I sing for remembering to wait is:

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings as eagles
they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint,
teach me Lord, teach me Lord to wait.

This happens to be a song version of my life verse, Isaiah 40:31, and a promise I was given in 1978. It’s 2015, and I’m still waiting to see the full manifestation of this promise. Every time I doubt – I hear this song in my head, and my only choice is to deny my faith that God spoke His word (and healed them), and His word is alive, to to ask forgiveness for my lack of faith. Like the father in the gospels, I say, “Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief!”. Though my heart fails me, the Lord is the strength of my heart, and He always brings me through.

I waited patiently for the Lord; He …heard my cry. (Psalm 40:1)

Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all day long. (Psalm 25:4-5)

The Lord is the everlasting God…He does not faint or grow weary…They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28,31)

Lord, continue to help me with patience.
Continue to encourage my faith to grow, and also to grant me the grace when my faith stumbles as I wait to see the manifestation of any of your promises.
Help me to be patient with others, as you are patient with me.
Amen

More Advent Devotions

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Habakkuk 2

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!)

IBBS Habakkuk Introduction
IBBS Habakkuk 1

Habakkuk 2

In IBBS Habakkuk 1, we discussed that sometimes bad things happen to discipline us. that is not always the case.

Sometimes, it’s to test us…(though we are told not to blame God for our temptations!

James 1:12-15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 A man who endures trials[a] is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God[b] has promised to those who love Him.

13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil,[c] and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

There are those that fall because of their own lusts…and they need Psalm 38

The truth is, that there are those that are refined by the fire, and that refining has a higher purpose!

Habakkuk is not happy with the answers by God in the first chapter…

Habakkuk 1:13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil,
and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing.
So why do You tolerate those who are treacherous?
Why are You silent
while one[a] who is wicked swallows up
one[b] who is more righteous than himself?

He decides to:

Habakkuk 2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Habakkuk Waits for God’s Response
2 I will stand at my guard post
and station myself on the lookout tower.
I will watch to see what He will say to me
and what I should[a] reply about my complaint.

Here’s a few of the clarifications that God gives in Chapter 2, for what His purposes are:

Habakkuk 2
8 Since you have plundered many nations,
all the peoples who remain will plunder you—
because of human bloodshed
and violence against lands, cities,
and all who live in them.

11 For the stones will cry out from the wall,
and the rafters will answer them
from the woodwork.

13-14 Is it not from the Lord of Hosts
that the peoples labor only to fuel the fire
and countries exhaust themselves for nothing?
14 For the earth will be filled
with the knowledge of the Lord’s glory,
as the waters cover the sea.

16 You will be filled with disgrace instead of glory.
You also—drink,
and expose your uncircumcision![i]
The cup in the Lord’s right hand
will come around to you,
and utter disgrace will cover your glory.

Bottom Line?

Habakkuk 2:20 But the Lord is in His holy temple;
let everyone on earth
be silent in His presence.

God sees us, even in the midst of darkness!
Here’s some examples:

Daniel and the Three Hebrew Children

Daniel 1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 Among them, from the descendants of Judah, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them other names: he gave the name Belteshazzar to Daniel, Shadrach to Hananiah, Meshach to Mishael, and Abednego to Azariah.

Daniel and the three Hebrew children and many others were taken away in Babylon and they were made eunuchs, which to be very graphic and specific means they were neutered. Everything that they understood from their religion was taken away from them and they had a reason to cry out like Habakkuk!

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Daniel 3

The three Hebrew children were thrown into the fiery furnace, because they would not bow down and choose fleshly comforts in exchange their lives.

Daniel 3 – their declaration of faith.
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question.
17 If the God we serve exists,[f] then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king.
18 But even if He does not rescue us,[g] we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”

The rest of the story is that they were not delivered from the fiery furnace, but another walked with them who was like the son of God. later in the Bible we find out it was the pre incarnate Christ that walked with them and protected them from the fire while they were in the furnace. Those that were unrighteous and had been trying to destroy the righteous Hebrew children, thought they had one, and those that cranked up the fire were actually swallowed with the heat. The three Hebrew children were pulled out. When they were not consumed, Nebuchadnezzar declared praises to their God, and freedoms to serve their own God!

Dan 3
28 Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent His angel[m] and rescued His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I issue a decree that anyone of any people, nation, or language who says anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be torn limb from limb and his house made a garbage dump. For there is no other god who is able to deliver like this.” 30 Then the king rewarded Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Would that have happened if the Three men had not endured this fire?

Daniel in the Lions den.
Daniel 6
Daniel was recognized as being a very gifted leader, and he actually served under a couple of the leaders of his day. And then there were those people that set him up that he should not pray to any God other than Darius. Not only did he continue to pray, it says he opened his window, and knelt by his window to pray to God. Daniel didn’t go into hiding!

It horrified the king that he had been duped to put this law into effect and he worried about Daniel being thrown into the lions den. The rest of that story is the unrighteous thought they were winning the day as they threw Daniel in, but God sent the angel of the Lord to keep the Lions from eating Daniel. So the righteous was pulled out of the Lion’s Den and the unrighteous were thrown in afterwards.

The end of this chapter has Darius, not a Hebrew, God worshiper, giving God, Yahweh, YHWH, Jehovah, praise!
Daniel 6:25-28

Would that have happened if Daniel had not endured this trial?

Jesus and Judas

Judas was one of Jesus’s top 12. Judas was given the responsibilities of finances. He went out with the others and apparently was able to do the same Miracles that the others. If he didn’t, whoever he was sent out with would come back and say

“yeah well whenever we go with Judas he just can’t do anything! I have to do all the work!”

The thing about the story at the Last Supper was that no one had any idea that it was Judas that was going to turn in Jesus.
So we have the Last Supper and then some very ugly days of thinking everything has gone wrong and that the wicked have won!
We, as Christians, know that the rest of the story is that on that third day Jesus rose from the dead and some days after that He rose to sit beside his father and to intervene, and to pray on our behalf. They didn’t have this Bible from which to draw strength!

If Judas had not betrayed Christ, there wouldn’t have been the crucifixion and there would not have been the days where everyone questioned their loyalty to Christ.

There are others!

Moses on the back side of the desert – or he would not have experienced the burning bush!
Paul in prison – Purposes for his suffering were to spread the gospel!

I’ve shared this testimony before and some of my stories specifically in IBBS Jonah, but it fits here as well.

My life was rough, but there’s many who had lives worse than mine. I had a very, very difficult ability in pushing for things or believing things that I believed were God’s call for me because I had no one in my life that actually was hearing God’s call and following it. I didn’t know how to embrace God’s calling!

So when I was told to go to Ohio State University for art and music and English, because of varying scholarships for the different schools, I told God He didn’t know what he was talking about, I wasn’t good enough for college. I joined the Navy. I want to get this very clear. I joined the United States Navy in direct opposition to what I knew God wanted me to do. At the time, I was attending churches, I was attending youth groups, I was attending Bible study. My life had gotten very rough in my senior year of high school, and I could not see any way that I could go to college. So I decided (I DECIDED) that I should go in the Navy to get an education and to learn a trade and to serve my country. Also to be clear, I don’t think the serving my country was where I was wrong. Where I was wrong was knowing God’s direction for me, and having probably half a dozen Bibles and even more Bible studies available to me to tell me how to hear God’s voice, and I told God no. I TOLD GOD NO! that is the error, the mistake, the sin. In Jonah, I talk about what happened.

If you look at Moses and the burning bush and God telling him that he is being sent to deliver his people, Moses says “I can’t speak send somebody else!”

If we look at Jonah, which I did in itty bitty Bible study about Jonah, Jonah said “no I’m not going to Nineveh!”

In both of these guys’ lives, God used some very interesting techniques to get their attention. We all know Jonah was thrown over the side of the boat and was swallowed by a fish and was spit up on the shores of Nineveh.

What did God use for Moses? Well for one his brother Aaron showed up having walked all the way across the desert and he finds Moses whom the Pharaoh wanted Dead! There’s also the little thing where Moses is almost being killed on his way back and God speaks to Zipporah who circumcises her sons and throws the foreskins at Moses and says “a bloody husband out art.”

If there was any doubt of the seriousness of God’s call for Moses or Jonah, that would get their attention.
Me, well, I ended up paralyzed from the waist down after a fall the third day of boot camp. I still struggle with the physical ramifications of that choice! Kind of like Jacob walking with a limp because he wrestled with God.

There is a history book that we had when our children were being homeschooled that shared how history when looked at from above from the big picture, can be seen as the varying ways God uses the wicked to orchestrate his greater plan.

Providential History
disclaimer – I do not get any benefit for sharing an amazon link.

One such example is Nazi Germany and the extermination of Jews.
If there had not been such a horrid Event that was documented by photographs and newsreels, the global mentality would not have been such that they would have the outcry to create the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel being reestablished is a crucial point in the Fulfillment of the end time prophecies. The whole aspect of what was done to the Jews was horrific. I don’t know what the spiritual status was of the Jews in the way that we know by God’s word back in the time of Saul and David and Solomon and Josiah and Hezekiah. But I do know that this one event caused sympathy for this one nationality and everyone agreed to the creation of the nation of Israel.

Why does God allow evil? Rabi Ravi Zacharias explains this so well in his answer to Gun violence.

Another of his messages is How could an all-powerful, all-loving God allow evil to exist?

For me, there are two key verses…

Habakkuk 2:4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
4 Look, his ego is inflated;[a]
he is without integrity.
But the righteous one will live by his faith.[b]

and

Habakkuk 2:20 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
20 But the Lord is in His holy temple;
let everyone on earth
be silent in His presence.
But the Lord is in His holy temple;
let everyone on earth
be silent in His presence.

In honor of the three Hebrew children, I’m going to put Even If by Mercy Me here again.

And this is a reminder for us!

The history of this hymn story is huge.

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Habakkuk 1

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!)

IBBS Habakkuk Introduction

Habakkuk 1

Habakkuk 1:1-4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
1 The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw.

Habakkuk’s First Prayer
2 How long, Lord, must I call for help
and You do not listen
or cry out to You about violence
and You do not save?
3 Why do You force me to look at injustice?
Why do You tolerate[a] wrongdoing?
Oppression and violence are right in front of me.
Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates.
4 This is why the law is ineffective
and justice never emerges.
For the wicked restrict the righteous;
therefore, justice comes out perverted.

Does this sound familiar? (read in a whining voice…or just a very sad, discouraged, or defeated voice, all are appropriate)
HOW LONG LORD????
WHY????
accusations about his tolerating wickedness….violence…oppression…strife and conflict.
“THIS IS WHY” as if we need to teach God a lesson! Uh huh.

I want to start this with worship….because tough topics need to have the promises included!

https://youtu.be/FUzx4oEmnxQ

Why does God let good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people?

Maybe part of the question is who does God consider bad and who does God consider good?

Let’s look at Job. He’s one of the guys that God says was good…and had some troubles!
Job 1

Job 1:8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.”

First, you get backstage view of God and the enemy and how the enemy goes around trying to cause trouble for those who love God. God specifically points out his servant job who is perfect in all his ways. Now – this is key! God didn’t point out all the folks that were upsetting God…but he points out a man of perfect integrity!

The devil says “hahaha! it’s because you take care of him!”
So long and short of the story:
Satan is given permission to take things away from Job, and Job does not deny God or renounce him.
Satan is given permission to touch Job’s flesh but not to take his life, and Job continues to refuse to denounce God.
Job does get into depression, what I consider a suicidal depression because he wishes he was never born.
consider adding to this that he lost his children at that first testing. Just for clarity, he knew his children were not necessarily walking with the Lord or he wouldn’t be waking up everyday after their parties and trying to do sacrifices on their behalf. Still, these were his children! All gone in ONE event!

So, Job has lost all of his Earthly possessions, he’s lost all of his children, he has lost his health, and his wife is telling him curse God and die.

I’m thinking Job was in a position very similar to Habakkuk saying why are the wicked prospering!? What do you think?

Job 21
7 Why do the wicked continue to live,
growing old and becoming powerful?
8 Their children are established while they are still alive,[a]
and their descendants, before their eyes.
9 Their homes are secure and free of fear;
no rod from God strikes them.

A young friend, Elihu, speaks up:
Job 33
But I tell you that you are wrong in this matter,
since God is greater than man.
13 Why do you take Him to court
for not answering anything a person asks?[c]

Elihu clearly spelled it out:

Job 33 and I’m posting starting at 22:
22 He draws near to the Pit,
and his life to the executioners.
23 If there is an angel on his side,
one mediator out of a thousand,
to tell a person what is right for him[h]
24 and to be gracious to him and say,
“Spare him from going down to the Pit;
I have found a ransom,”
25 then his flesh will be healthier[i] than in his youth,
and he will return to the days of his youthful vigor.
26 He will pray to God, and God will delight in him.
That man will see His face with a shout of joy,
and God will restore his righteousness to him.
27 He will look at men and say,
“I have sinned and perverted what was right;
yet I did not get what I deserved.[j]
28 He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit,
and I will continue to see the light.”

Elihu is speaking of all the times that the Lord allows things in order to bring us back from the pit!

Then, he speaks of Repentance:

Job 34
31 Suppose someone says to God,
“I have endured my punishment;
I will no longer act wickedly.
32 Teach me what I cannot see;
if I have done wrong, I won’t do it again.”
33 Should God repay you on your terms
when you have rejected His?
You must choose, not I!
So declare what you know.

The main point of Elihu’s discourse is that God is God…who are we to argue?
Then, God speaks out of the whirlwind…saying..where were you????

Job 40 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
40 The Lord answered Job:
2 Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?
Let him who argues with God give an answer.[a]
3 Then Job answered the Lord:
4 I am so insignificant. How can I answer You?
I place my hand over my mouth.
5 I have spoken once, and I will not reply;
twice, but now I can add nothing.

The last bit of Job has God reprimanding everyone but Elihu for how they keep telling Job that this is because of some sin. On the other hand, once Job hears completely what God has to say, Job repents of being proud and humbled himself before God. And then God blesses Job by multiplying all that he has before. Job 42

Why am I talking about Job in the book of Habakkuk?
First, as I said in the introduction, it is commonly misunderstood that God did not speak to man in the Old Testament.
Job is considered the earliest book – though Moses’ books do tell history prior to Job.
Elihu has a very clear picture of God’s purposes for man and for what HE does or allows to man.
There are those that consider Elihu a preincarnate Christ…but, whatever. His words are clarifying to the rest of Habakkuk 1!

Back to Habakkuk:

Habakkuk 1:5-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
God’s First Answer
5 Look at the nations[a] and observe—
be utterly astounded!
For something is taking place in your days
that you will not believe
when you hear about it.
6 Look! I am raising up the Chaldeans,[b]
that bitter, impetuous nation
that marches across the earth’s open spaces
to seize territories not its own.

Habakkuk is not happy with this answer….

Habakkuk 1:12-13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Habakkuk’s Second Prayer
12 Are You not from eternity, Yahweh my God?
My Holy One, You[a] will not die.
Lord, You appointed them to execute judgment;
my Rock, You destined them to punish us.
13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil,
and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing.
So why do You tolerate those who are treacherous?
Why are You silent
while one[b] who is wicked swallows up
one[c] who is more righteous than himself?

I’m not sure, but if Job would have responded similarly to Elihu had God not jumped in. In fact, you can read in Job all the times that Job argued!
Have you ever heard of folks saying that “You have the patience of Job” as if he was so patient? Read his book! In several versions! He’s not even in the Heroes of Faith Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11! Yet, Job was REAL – transparent – and he repented of his sin, and allowed God to restore him.

Habakkuk is making the determination who is righteous…or holier than others.

Are there others?
Joseph
Joseph is the favorite of his father, and has some sort of spiritual connection in that he gets dreams that are prophetic. Now as a teenager, he does not quite get when and where are the appropriate times to share these dreams, besides that nobody else is getting these dreams! Now, Joseph’s father, dreamed again, and hears from God at Bethel in Genesis 28. He also wrestled with God the night before he went to meet his brother Esau in Genesis 32. Joseph father, Jacob, had been used to hearing from God in several ways in order to be led as to what he should do. In fact, that situation where Jacob wrestled with the angel of God, his hip was affected in such a way that he limped for the rest of his life. Face-to-face interaction with God changes you!

Joseph had dreams AFTER the above interaction Jacob had with God! Genesis 37
Why didn’t Jacob believe that Joseph was actually having dreams from God? I don’t know. It doesn’t really matter. What matters is that if Joseph’s brothers’ unrighteous behavior had not happened, if Potiphar’s wife lies about Joseph had not occurred, Joseph would not have been in the prison with the Pharaoh’s servants and would not have been able to rise to the number two position, and save many from famine. Not to mention saving his own family. Which of course, was the whole point of those dreams when he was a teenager. Gen 42

One of the outcomes of Joseph bringing his family to Egypt to survive the famine was that eventually they forgot who Joseph was and the Hebrews were enslaved. Over and over and over in the Old Testament God delivers the Hebrews, the Israelites, the children of God. After a while, they become comfortable and they forget the god Who delivered them.

Even after years of being slaves to the Egyptians, and being miraculously delivered, when the going got a little bit tough, they accused Moses of bringing them out into the desert to let them die. Actually they were accusing God of bringing them out into the desert to let them die.

Over and over, when you read through 1st and 2nd Samuel, 1st and 2nd Kings and 1st and 2nd Chronicles, you see how God raises up a people who love him and obey Him. Then the next generation or at most two generations later, He is forgotten and they go back to the Pagan ways. Prophets cry out to them the simple words of God, because they are the people of the words of God. They hear the word of God every week in the synagogue. But, it takes suffering for them to actually, personally, cry out to God, to recognize their sins, and to repent so that he will turn around and heal their land

2 Chronicles 7:14 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
14 and My people who are called by My name
humble themselves,
pray and
seek My face, and
turn from their evil ways,
then
I will hear from heaven,
forgive their sin, and
heal their land.

This is written to THOSE WHO ARE CALLED BY THE NAME OF GOD! not to the wicked.
Why would the people of God need to call out…or need healing in their land?
They are not walking with the Lord.

This image comes from Spiritual Inspirations, from their Bible Verses for Sunday. Psalm 91:14-16. God gives us promises. We cannot let go of that hope!

Just to be clear, not all that suffer are needing to be disciplined. In the next article, we will look at:
The Hebrews in Egypt…and the plagues that prepared them for the Exodus.(ok,yeah, they needed an attitude check)

Daniel and the Three Hebrew Children

Daniel 1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 Among them, from the descendants of Judah, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them other names: he gave the name Belteshazzar to Daniel, Shadrach to Hananiah, Meshach to Mishael, and Abednego to Azariah.

Paul in Prison – various texts

Jesus Crucified and the three days of thinking all was lost!

I’ve also written some things that might give you more things to think about.
IBBS Joel 1 call to repentance
IBBS Jonah into and Jonah 1 saying no to good and being disciplined(including my testimony of saying no)
IBBS Nahum intro about generation revival and the tendency for following generations to fall away

The key is that none is good –

Romans 3:10-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 as it is written:[a]
There is no one righteous, not even one.
11 There is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away;
all alike have become useless.
There is no one who does what is good,
not even one.[b]

IBBS Ephesians 2:1-10 talks about the situation that we are in, and what God has done to remedy it. If there is any extra blog that you read, read this one! It talks about our victory by God through Christ Jesus!

If you have cried out to God in anguish, You are not alone!

I have sung this song…and here is the most amazing story behind it by the author.

Sometimes it takes a mountain by Gaither vocal Band

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

The Wildberry Patch

Be Engrafted into the VINE to produce Eternal Fruit

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