Matthew 2:16 "Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem." But Herod wanted to worship the baby. How quickly his resolve to worship melted to evil. Real Evil. How way-too-quickly in my own life does my good intentions melt into dark actions? Solzhenitsyn said that it's not just the communists that are evil, it runs right through all of us. Lord, have mercy on us!
God never underestimated how thoroughly you'd mess up your life
or how painfully you would struggle & suffer.
God doesn't want you to underestimate your failures or struggles, either.
They are all part of the story God is telling.
66 LL
The wise men fell down in worship, and gave Him their treasures.
ReplyDeleteO that I may fall down in worship at the awe of our King daily and offer Him all that I have at all times.
Bev, you are so loving and kind, it is difficult to imagine you having dark actions. You have a tender and loving heart, willingess to share your thoughts, hopes and despair.
ReplyDelete1 Peter 4:11 (New International Version, ©2010)
11 "If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
"When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him." What is the Cornerstone of Life for one is the stumbling block for another. King Jesus stirs up so much emotion in all of us, believers and non-believers alike. No one can thwart God's beautiful Plan A, despite evil looking like it's winning. Lord help us to not be deceived.
ReplyDeleteGod has called His creation to be Holy. Man/woman is created in the Image of God.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that King Herod wanted to worship Jesus the King of Kings and then so quickly turned evil and put the decree to kill all children two years and under.
Paul tells me from New Testament that I desire good .... yet I do what I don't want to do.
As 2011 begins, I pray to allow God to love me more (Give up control knowing that He is God and I am not). I desire to worship Him in more overflow of His Love.
This is a Song I must Sing.
Sylvia
Well, I just have crocodile tears running down my face. To have you ladies come back here means a lot to me. Went to church this morning where we don't know any of the members---oh maybe one or two couples---but something happened inside of me. The loss of not having fellowship with people we love. We will find a church home soon. But it takes time. And it's hard to meet people without a baby, dog or job. Those are people finders. So, to do this one more year with each of you, I'm actually just thrilled. You've blessed me already! Wondering what our Good God will do in all of our messes this year. I might be a mess, but it's a glorious mess over here in ATX. My love and gratitude and prayers for each one of you. Please pray that we both find jobs soon. We are having to pay insurance out of our deep pockets. I'd say this is an unsettling start to a new decade but as we read this morning: His Steadfast Love is better than life...so what am I missing?? Do I want my life to work here more than I want Him? No.
ReplyDeleteGrateful for your friendship, Bev
If you have some extra time, read The Prologue of 66 Love Letters.
ReplyDelete66 LL says: "Nothing will change you more deeply or sustain you with more hope than hearing God speak to you in the Bible. True Christianity turns the possible into the actual. The biblical ax breaks the frozen sea within us" and releases the beauty of God---we become the person we were meant to be. Human beings not human do-er's.
This isn't about one verse stirring us. It's about hearing our God speak to us through the Bible as we face ourselves honestly. Delighted beyond words to be on this journey with you.
http://store.newwayministries.org/PDF-c12/
ReplyDeleteI found a free study guide for 66 Love Letters on Crabb's website if anyone is interested in downloading it.
--michele
"Now when they had departed, behold,(Q) an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."
ReplyDeleteDoes this just send shivers down your spine? Here the enemy of God influences the leader of this nation and Christ is at risk! But God!!! He sends His angel to Joseph!
Our God is Alive!
Have you heard David Crowder's song, Like a Lion?
My God's not dead,
He's surely alive
And He's living on the inside,
Roaring like a lion!
I have to admit that Joseph is not usually given much attention. Not much is shared about him in the gospels. But God spoke to him in dreams and He was obedient. No questions asked. I wish I knew more about him.