Tag: Bible

It Shows

On By Judy GlasserIn MayLeave a comment

As we read 1 Kings, we find out that King David is now old and his health is failing.  David has already announced that his son, Solomon, will be the next king.  But his other son, Adonijah, has decided that he is going to be king.  So he starts rounding up people who will support him in this effort.  Against the wishes of his father.  Why would he do this?

We read that “His father had never rebuked him by asking, ‘Why do you behave as you do?”.May 11 2015 It Shows.

David had not disciplined Adonijah.  He had not corrected him when Adonijah’s behavior was out of line.

The result is behavior like this from David’s own son.  No obedience to his father’s wishes.  No respect for his father’s decisions.

We get an insight into another side of David. He was a great king but it looks like he wasn’t as good of a parent.  We have already read about a couple of other exploits of David’s children when they misbehaved.  Adonijah doesn’t appear to be the only child that was not disciplined.

And David paid the consequences for this lack of discipline as he now deals with his grown child’s bad choices.

Parental discipline – and the lack of it – shows.  It shows in our young children and it continues to show up in our grown children.

Dear Father, please help us be great parents who discipline our children well.

Sword Fighting Class – Knowing God

On By Judy GlasserIn Sword Fighting ClassLeave a comment

“My child, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,Proverbs 2 1st page - this one

turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,

and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,

and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure….”

We’re memorizing Proverbs 2 and we’ve got a great line this

then you will understand the fear of the Lord and  you will find the knowledge of God.

The fear of the Lord – when we have the correct understanding and respect for his omnipotence.  His eternity.

The knowledge of God – transformed to the point where we love the things God loves and we hate the things God hates.

Yes, dear Father, we are searching for these things.

Audio file of Proverbs 2:1-6

 

Psalm 27, 2015

On By Judy GlasserIn MayLeave a comment

The Lord shines his light on the path I’m supposed to take.

He has saved me.  I have nothing to fear.May 9 Psalm 27 2015

The Lord holds me in his strong, loving hands.

Why should I be afraid of anything?

When problems and situations arise on every side me, trying to overwhelm me, I know that God is here.  He helps me have victory in my life.  Even when everything seems to be stacked against me, I am confident that God will work all of this out for my good.  He has promised.

In spite of all the mess and frustrations and pain of this life, my eyes stay focused on God because I know the end of this story.  When my time is over here on earth, I will go to live with my Abba Father forever.

How is that for a ‘happily ever after’ ending?

He will keep me safe.  He will hold me close to him.

Forever.

My life in heaven is going to be one really long joyfest!

Lord, I know you hear my voice when I call out to you!

I want to know all about you, God.

You have always helped me….I know you won’t stop now.

When everyone else rejects me, you are always there.

I want to learn everything you teach me, Lord, so  I can avoid getting lost in sin and rebellion.  Please help me stay away from the snares and traps of the world that could draw me away from you.

I am confident of this – I will continue to experience your love, goodness, patience and grace here on earth.  And I will discover more of who you are when I come to live with you in heaven.

More of you.

I’m waiting and watching expectantly, Abba Father. 

Psalm 146, 2015

On By Judy GlasserIn MayLeave a comment

Praise the Lord!

My praise comes from the bottom of my heart!May 9 2015 Psalm 146

I will praise you all of my life!

As long as I live, I will be singing praises to you, God!

I will not put my trust in human beings.  We will all die at some time and then all of our plans are worthless.

I know that you bless us when we put our hope and trust in you.

You, God, are the maker of all things.  And you will be faithful to us and all of your creation forever.

You care about the oppressed and you feed the hungry.  I should do that, too.

You free us from being prisoners to sin!

You open our eyes to the truth!

When we humble ourselves and bow our knees before you, you lift us up.  You make us whole.  You shine your light on us.

You love those who walk in obedience to your directions.

You watch over the lonely….the forgotten….those that don’t ‘fit in’.  I should do that, too.

You have a special place in your heart for orphans and widows.  I want that, too.

You, my God, make sure that those who are wicked and unrighteous pay the consequences for their choices.  You frustrate them.  Their plans are worthless because you are working against them.

But you are always on my side.  Thank you!

You are my God and you reign forever!  From generation to generation!

I praise you, dear Father!

Sword Fighting Class – Search for It

On By Judy GlasserIn Sword Fighting Class3 Comments

My Child, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,Proverbs 2 1st page - this one

turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,

and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding….”

God is helping us memorize Proverbs 2.  It’s all about wisdom and understanding – good stuff!  Here’s the next verse:

“and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,”

If we knew for sure there was a pile of silver hidden in a certain place, how hard would we look?  How much time would we take?  How much effort?

If it was me and I had a pretty good idea of where to look and if I was guaranteed that the treasure would be there, I wouldn’t stop until I found it.

Here, God is guaranteeing us that there is very valuable treasure in his word to us.  We just need to read it and accept it and store it up inside of our hearts and minds.  We need to cry out for it and cry aloud for it…..and look for it.  Search for it.

It’s there.

We’re on this journey together – growing in our relationship with God.  As we grow in our ability to hear him.  As we grow in ability to soak up his truth and apply it to our lives.

Thank you for helping us grow, dear Father.

Audio file of Proverbs 2: 1-6:

 

He is More Grand

On By Judy GlasserIn MayLeave a comment

(Pictures taken on my recent trip to the Grand Canyon)GC red rocks

My eyes are filled with wonder, dear Father.

I look with breathless amazement at this Grand Canyon, the work of your hands.

The pinks, the reds, the blues, the purples and the greens!

I praise you for all of the colors of the rainbow!

Thank you for the extreme care you took in designing my eyes so I can enjoy the rest of your creation!

The canyon is so huge!

And reminds me of your love for me – how deep!  How wide! How high!

DSC_0196I feel so small….just a spot of dust that is here for a short time and then will blow away.

You are so significant! Who am I that you should care for even the hairs on my head?

But then I remember your words to me – I am your child.  You have adopted me for eternity and I matter to you.  You promise me that you have great plans for me and that you will not stop until those plans are complete.

Yes, dear Father!

I am not insignificant to you.  Thank you for the confidence that knowledge gives me!DSC_0178

As I watch a rain cloud float over the canyon, sending its rain down to the bottom of the canyon, I remember the storm clouds that regularly float into my life.  And I know that you are right beside me every time the rain falls…everytime the wind howls…everytime the storm tries to blow me away from you.  So I hold on even tighter and find my security in you.

I feel like I could look into this canyon forever and continue to see something new each time I looked.  I feel that same way about your precious Word to me.  Everytime I read it, opening my mind and heart, I read something new.

Something important.

Something very good.

Some new truth that I need to know.

Yes, this canyon is pretty grand.

But you are much more grand, Abba Father!  Your grandeur stretches out into infinity.  I get to see small bits and pieces of your awesomeness here on earth.  You are so much more!  Your creation is just a small reflection of your magnificence and beauty.

You are so much more!

 

 

Psalm 119 (aleph), 2015

On By Judy GlasserIn MayLeave a comment

You bless us when we make decisions and choices that are in line with your word, oh God.

You bless us when our actions are guided by your truth.May 3 Psalm 119 aleph 2015

You bless us when we seek you with all of our hearts.

When we follow your directions to us, we are right where you want us to be.

You have given us all the guidance we need.  Now its our turn to do our part – and that’s to obey.

I want to be obedient, dear Father!

Then I will have no regrets.  No shame.  No guilt when I read your word and realize the difference between my behavior and how you want me to behave.

I want to be able to praise you with a heart fully committed to living my life according to your plan.

Please help me live a life of obedience to you!

Amen, let it be so, Abba Father.

Psalm 67, 2015

On By Judy GlasserIn MayLeave a comment

May God be gracious to us and bless us.

As we look up to the sun and see the light, maybe we also look up to God and see his face full of love shining down on us.

We want to know you, dear God, here on earth.April 30 Psalm 67, 2015

May the Good News of your salvation spread through all of the nations!

We praise you, God!

May all people join us as we sing your praises, filled with joy and gladness!

You are a perfect father, guiding us and disciplining us.

We praise you, our God!

Let all people join in as we praise you!

You, our God, provide for all of our needs.  You have blessed us in the past and you continue to bless us today.

It is our prayers that everyone here on earth will come to know the blessings of putting their faith in you.

Amen, let it be so, dear Father.

Psalm 16, 2015

On By Judy GlasserIn AprilLeave a comment

When I am close to you, I feel safe, my God.

You represent everything that’s good in my life, dear Father.April 29 2015 Psam 16 2015

I love to spend time with people who love you, God.  Those who are too busy running after their own desires will never find their security in you.  They will only suffer the consequences for their choices.

As for me, I refuse to consider anything in my life to be more important than you.

You are everything I need, dear Lord.

I can rest in you.

I want to be exactly where you want me to be.  That is where I find joy.

Thank you for teaching me your truth.  I am writing your words on my heart so your truth can guide me day and night.

With you, I have nothing to fear.

So I sing praises to you, secure in your love and grace.  I know you will never abandon me.  You walk close beside me every day.

I am filled with joy knowing that you are with me today, tomorrow, forever.

Thank you, Abba Father.

Sword Fighting Class – It Takes Effort!

On By Judy GlasserIn AprilLeave a comment

‘My child, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,

turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,”

We are memorizing Proverbs 2 together – one verse a week.  We know this is possible with God’s help.  Proverbs 2 1st page - this one

The next verse is:

“and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding…..”

This verse has very active words in it.  Calling out!  Cry aloud!

This doesn’t sound like it’s describing me sitting here quietly, reading my Bible.

This sounds like I need to be seriously and intensely asking for insight and understanding.  These words indicate a significant effort on my part.  Growing wise, increasing my insight and understanding is obviously not a passive activity.

It’s evident that God’s wisdom isn’t going to just doesn’t ‘sink in’ as I sit in a chair at church or turn the pages of my Bible.

We’re calling out and crying aloud, dear Father!