I've never thought much about John 2: 1-12, but something about vs. 8-10 really struck me. This would be the first of many signs/wonders, changing water to wine, that Jesus would perform showing He was the Messiah that God promised. The thing that struck me about this passage is this, when the water (now wine) was served to the Master of the Feast, the Master said this: "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now."
As I said at the beginning of this Lent Season, I am a good starter, but sometimes a poor finisher. I often approach things with fervor and gusto and then fizzle out towards the end. God has never faltered in His faithfulness or love for me, in fact, as our relationship continues it gets better and better the more I learn & grow. How often do we get lazy in our walk with Christ, in our relationships with other, and on our endeavors? What message does it speak to others when we can bring our best at all times or if God allows us to be even better than we thought? I hope not to grow too tired or weary in my walk but continue to walk with fervor and gusto as often as possible ( there will be some weary days along the way I'm sure). If I just wait for Him, and trust in Him, then I know there's nothing but fine wine ahead!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Anger and Love...it's a Complicated Emotion
Amazingly after reading the following blog, I felt less confused and somewhat validated in my reaction and thoughts about reading the book of Hosea: http://www.gospel.com/blog/index.php/2009/03/27/hosea-and-an-impossibly-patient-god/
At first reading through the latter chapters of this book, that I was seeing a very bipolar God as he would switch from being angry with Israel, to expressing His love for them. As I looked at it more, I began to ask the question: How often are we the same way? I think about my relationship with my family and with my husband and I see a lot of the same anger and love. Loving so much that it hurts....loving so much that even in the midst of anger, you keep hoping, praying that that loved one would just turn to God or to you and tell you they are sorry, or are going to change. Sadly, we can't change people...only God can do that, and only if that person is willing to accept the grace and love freely given to them.
I'm sure if I spent even more time looking into the history behind Hosea that I would understand much more the sinful nature of the people of Israel, but what I do understand is that they took God for granted. God had delivered them, and yet they forgot him. When the newest thing came along they set aside God and explored a little more into "alternative" thinking...and that little more became a lot more...putting their focus on "things" such as idols, adultery, debauchery, in other words major badness! Yet to the people, things were good, great even, they had enough to eat, they were earning enough money, they were enjoying life that was exciting to say the least although it was sinful, and they had forgotten everything that God had done and was still doing in their lives to deliver them...save them...love them.
It all boils down to hate the sin and not the sinner. No matter what we do, if we give ourselves to God, he will always accept us, love us, show us how to change from our sinful selves into the refined, repentant, and righteous individual He desires for us to be. It's not an easy road to walk, but it's the one that is filled with grace, mercy, and of course love. What's discipline without love? Just an anger filled spat so that the one dishing it out feels temporarily better? Discipline is God's way of showing us the error of our ways and inspiring us to do better, learn from our mistakes and know that changing our ways is the life that leads to salvation, acceptance, and grace everlasting.
I love Hosea even more now, because it truly gives me an insight to His heart and love for us, while maintaining His sovereign and just ways. As a parent and "mother hen," I see even more the turmoil that God has at times, love for his children in the midst of anger over the choices they make because it's not what He planned...He knows that choice leads to destruction, pain, even death. God doesn't desire death or pain for His children, He desires the best...love and everlasting life with Him, but we must choose Him above all else.
At first reading through the latter chapters of this book, that I was seeing a very bipolar God as he would switch from being angry with Israel, to expressing His love for them. As I looked at it more, I began to ask the question: How often are we the same way? I think about my relationship with my family and with my husband and I see a lot of the same anger and love. Loving so much that it hurts....loving so much that even in the midst of anger, you keep hoping, praying that that loved one would just turn to God or to you and tell you they are sorry, or are going to change. Sadly, we can't change people...only God can do that, and only if that person is willing to accept the grace and love freely given to them.
I'm sure if I spent even more time looking into the history behind Hosea that I would understand much more the sinful nature of the people of Israel, but what I do understand is that they took God for granted. God had delivered them, and yet they forgot him. When the newest thing came along they set aside God and explored a little more into "alternative" thinking...and that little more became a lot more...putting their focus on "things" such as idols, adultery, debauchery, in other words major badness! Yet to the people, things were good, great even, they had enough to eat, they were earning enough money, they were enjoying life that was exciting to say the least although it was sinful, and they had forgotten everything that God had done and was still doing in their lives to deliver them...save them...love them.
It all boils down to hate the sin and not the sinner. No matter what we do, if we give ourselves to God, he will always accept us, love us, show us how to change from our sinful selves into the refined, repentant, and righteous individual He desires for us to be. It's not an easy road to walk, but it's the one that is filled with grace, mercy, and of course love. What's discipline without love? Just an anger filled spat so that the one dishing it out feels temporarily better? Discipline is God's way of showing us the error of our ways and inspiring us to do better, learn from our mistakes and know that changing our ways is the life that leads to salvation, acceptance, and grace everlasting.
I love Hosea even more now, because it truly gives me an insight to His heart and love for us, while maintaining His sovereign and just ways. As a parent and "mother hen," I see even more the turmoil that God has at times, love for his children in the midst of anger over the choices they make because it's not what He planned...He knows that choice leads to destruction, pain, even death. God doesn't desire death or pain for His children, He desires the best...love and everlasting life with Him, but we must choose Him above all else.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
A Rare Look at God's Desire for his people...Hosea 6
I often ask the question: What is God thinking/feeling? I had to stop in Hosea 6:6 because it was like He was answering that very question...
"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt sacrifices."
There's really a ton more, but this just stopped me dead in my tracks...how many times do I evaluate my relationship with Christ and ask..."Why are you asking me to sacrifice this or that?" Really....it's just stuff...you can't take it with you! And I truly believe that because usually it's a "thing" that I'm sacrificing...and all I focus on is what it is going to cost me. He is not asking me for stuff...He is asking me to love him. Loving Him doesn't always mean sacrifice have to mean sacrifice, but it's my selfish desires and me putting things before Him.
Hosea has been such an eye opener, and I approached this book without reading any background on it. It was like a slap across the face, because it was a lot coming at me all at once and I understood nothing...absolutely nothing. This has been God's way of humbling me in a lot of different ways but mostly it's a reminder that I have a lot to learn. It's exciting though that there's so much more to learn and growth to come.
"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt sacrifices."
There's really a ton more, but this just stopped me dead in my tracks...how many times do I evaluate my relationship with Christ and ask..."Why are you asking me to sacrifice this or that?" Really....it's just stuff...you can't take it with you! And I truly believe that because usually it's a "thing" that I'm sacrificing...and all I focus on is what it is going to cost me. He is not asking me for stuff...He is asking me to love him. Loving Him doesn't always mean sacrifice have to mean sacrifice, but it's my selfish desires and me putting things before Him.
Hosea has been such an eye opener, and I approached this book without reading any background on it. It was like a slap across the face, because it was a lot coming at me all at once and I understood nothing...absolutely nothing. This has been God's way of humbling me in a lot of different ways but mostly it's a reminder that I have a lot to learn. It's exciting though that there's so much more to learn and growth to come.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Joseph, one of my favorites...
I truly enjoy reading about Joseph, and I have to say that all the genealogy leading up to Chapter 32 was well worth it. It has given me a new appreciation for the heritage of Joseph, and I never made the connection that Joseph was one of Jacob's (Israel's) youngest sons.
I've learned a lot the last 30 something chapters, in some ways more so about myself than just the story that unfolds. I think this is what God intends...that He would reveal more of himself to us through study and reflection. I still have lots of questions as to why this and why that, but it's part of the refining process. I wonder why it was that Abraham would have to lie about Sarah being his sister instead of the truth, that she was his wife. Affliction would come upon not only the offender, but the family or entire clan of the offender as well. There is a profound effect on others when we sin, sometimes it goes deeper than we ever thought. All that said, I know God is a just God, and each time there was a way to repent and move beyond their sin.
I'm reading in chapter 41 today and watching the story of Joseph unfold, and he is interpreting dreams. Dreams can be a way for God to speak to us, so has He spoken to you this way? I'm sure God has tried to get through to me this way, but I'm not very good at interpreting or listening sometimes. Moreover, I look at Joseph and see his patience and humility throughout all the turmoil he went through at such a young age. Yet, God was continually with Joseph...and I wonder if Joseph ever had a doubt that God found favor with him and protected him the whole time. I'm enjoying picking up some of the finer details of the story this time around, paying attention to the interactions that Joseph has with each individual he meets...Potiphar, the baker, & the cupbearer...even the prison guards. I'm such a relational person, that this is all intriguing to me.
Thanks for all your prayers and support, I've been a little overwhelmed with all I am reading, but I am definitely on schedule to finish for Easter. Please continue to pray with me for more of God in my life as I am in His Word. Blessings to all!
I've learned a lot the last 30 something chapters, in some ways more so about myself than just the story that unfolds. I think this is what God intends...that He would reveal more of himself to us through study and reflection. I still have lots of questions as to why this and why that, but it's part of the refining process. I wonder why it was that Abraham would have to lie about Sarah being his sister instead of the truth, that she was his wife. Affliction would come upon not only the offender, but the family or entire clan of the offender as well. There is a profound effect on others when we sin, sometimes it goes deeper than we ever thought. All that said, I know God is a just God, and each time there was a way to repent and move beyond their sin.
I'm reading in chapter 41 today and watching the story of Joseph unfold, and he is interpreting dreams. Dreams can be a way for God to speak to us, so has He spoken to you this way? I'm sure God has tried to get through to me this way, but I'm not very good at interpreting or listening sometimes. Moreover, I look at Joseph and see his patience and humility throughout all the turmoil he went through at such a young age. Yet, God was continually with Joseph...and I wonder if Joseph ever had a doubt that God found favor with him and protected him the whole time. I'm enjoying picking up some of the finer details of the story this time around, paying attention to the interactions that Joseph has with each individual he meets...Potiphar, the baker, & the cupbearer...even the prison guards. I'm such a relational person, that this is all intriguing to me.
Thanks for all your prayers and support, I've been a little overwhelmed with all I am reading, but I am definitely on schedule to finish for Easter. Please continue to pray with me for more of God in my life as I am in His Word. Blessings to all!
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