I have always had a thing about studying the Bible.. I don't want to 'study' it since I have heard that that people can then tend view it as a textbook or a study material instead of God's ultimate and amazing Word.. I don't know. just something I have wrestled with.
But today I wanted to dive deeper into His Word and to uncover His character and WHO He is. Well today I found a facet of character in Joel! I want to study the books that no one preaches on. When was the last time your pastor preached on Obadiah? :) hahah So Joel it is.
And my heart was blown away as I took out my Bible and this 'study the Bible' book. Basically it speaks of God sending locusts to destroy the peoples' crops in order to bring them to true repentance, which is not just rending your garment but rending your heart before God {v. 2:13}. true repentance is also mentioned in 2 Corinth. 7:8-11. so good! So He shall send the locusts, but then He will bless the people so much if they return to Him. He is using utter calamity to gather His children. oh He is jealous for them and will take PITY on them { 2:18}.
So what? Well. I discovered that God used this horrible thing to bring His children unto Him. He didn't punish them just for the heck of it. No, oh He is so purposeful. He uses things that I see as utter bad things to bring His people to Himself. For instance, a week and a half ago, He sent a historical flood to wipe out peoples' homes and basements. But last week I gave out to those very people items and clothes to aide them. and you wouldn't believe how many people wanted a Bible. They realized that God is an all-powerful God who could have destroyed them. He totally could've. But He didn't. why? Because He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in [love] {2: 18b} He is a God of mercy who used a horrible thing to display His glory.
He used this 'locust' to get their attention, and in return many people are awakened to who He is.. and that He IS bringing restoration very quickly into them {2:25} Highways and roads are quickly being repaired, homes are being cleaned.
Wow. isn't that great?? He uses the 'locusts' in my life [which aren't huge by any means] to get my attention and to show me Who is REALLY in control. He did that this week by giving me a job offer that is perfect! It is only a few days a week but it is local and it shall hopefully give me money :) I got pink-eye from volunteering but God used that to get me to rest and just chill. I have enjoyed just hanging out this weekend and am pumped to go back out and work. then I shall not be contagious haha.
He is good. His love never fails. read Joel. you will be so happy you did. ask God to give you His eyes and to reveal revelations to your heart. he sure did to me.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Enjoying a time of growth!
Woo- hoo, so like two weeks ago I went to my Bible college and took out a ton of books just on womanhood and contentment and good stuff!! I already read the one book, Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow! And it was amazing! It was ALL about contentment and why we are not content.. and the things that rob us of it. Total write from Philippians where Paul talks about being content in ALL situations. and boy. that has been a toughie for me! But I was so blessed and enriched by it.
Next. I am reading Lady in Waiting. yeah. cheeeesy title! but don't judge a book by its title and I am so glad I didn't!! It goes through 10 different characteristics of women, and how they can be utilizing whatever season they are in to the fullest. It is mainly for singles just letting go of control [cough cough me] so I have been SO convicted in each chapter. I read it, laugh and say yep that is me, repent and keep reading. :) It is amazing the Truth that is found in it and how it leads all back to Scripture. So far I have read about a lady of Reckless Abandonment [my favorite!!], a lady of diligence [so much fruit in it!], and a lady of faith [I loved this one!]. so there are 7 more but these three have really impacted me so far.
A neat story in the first chapter talked of when in the days of Jesus, about when a lady become available for marriage, her family would purchase an alabaster box and fill it with precious ointment. when the eligible suitor came by to ask her hand in marriage, she would break her box at his feet as a symbol of honor. Now, similarly, when Jesus was at the house of Simon, a woman came in, broke the alabaster box and anointed Jesus' head with precious perfume. She found Him worthy of breaking her box for. She found him to be her Heavenly Bridegroom. while others thought it was dumb, Jesus was blessed and said,
"You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7: 45-47. ( Lady in Waiting, p. 3)
Wow. Isn't that beautiful?! the application was what dreams, desires and hopes are in my own alabaster box that I need to break at Jesus' feet? He is worthy of all the honor.
I am really enjoying just reading and growing and waiting for what lies in store for my future. He's got it all covered. I just need to keep releasing control.
Next. I am reading Lady in Waiting. yeah. cheeeesy title! but don't judge a book by its title and I am so glad I didn't!! It goes through 10 different characteristics of women, and how they can be utilizing whatever season they are in to the fullest. It is mainly for singles just letting go of control [cough cough me] so I have been SO convicted in each chapter. I read it, laugh and say yep that is me, repent and keep reading. :) It is amazing the Truth that is found in it and how it leads all back to Scripture. So far I have read about a lady of Reckless Abandonment [my favorite!!], a lady of diligence [so much fruit in it!], and a lady of faith [I loved this one!]. so there are 7 more but these three have really impacted me so far.
A neat story in the first chapter talked of when in the days of Jesus, about when a lady become available for marriage, her family would purchase an alabaster box and fill it with precious ointment. when the eligible suitor came by to ask her hand in marriage, she would break her box at his feet as a symbol of honor. Now, similarly, when Jesus was at the house of Simon, a woman came in, broke the alabaster box and anointed Jesus' head with precious perfume. She found Him worthy of breaking her box for. She found him to be her Heavenly Bridegroom. while others thought it was dumb, Jesus was blessed and said,
"You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7: 45-47. ( Lady in Waiting, p. 3)
Wow. Isn't that beautiful?! the application was what dreams, desires and hopes are in my own alabaster box that I need to break at Jesus' feet? He is worthy of all the honor.
I am really enjoying just reading and growing and waiting for what lies in store for my future. He's got it all covered. I just need to keep releasing control.
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