The God Who Feeds Us -chapter 6

Group Discussion: Imagine a person coming to the end of their life. What kind of life experiences would a person  near the end of life most likely describe as deeply satisfying? 

Personal Reflection: Reflect back over the past week or two. What experiences have left you feeling empty? What experiences have been deeply satisfying emotionally and spiritually? 

Psalm 23:5 - "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."

Isaiah 55- 

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
    listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
    my faithful love promised to David.
4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
    a ruler and commander of the peoples.
5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
    and nations you do not know will come running to you,
because of the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has endowed you with splendor.”

6 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.”

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Each question from the book is posted in the comment section. You can then reply with your answers, if you so desire, as well as reply to what others say. : )

Continuing our NRC Ladies Bible Study

Since February, our Ladies Bible Study group has been going through the book, "The 23rd Psalm~ The Lord, Our Shepherd" by Juanita Ryan.
March 15 was our last time we were able to meet in person (when we went through chapter 5).
I've decided to take this virtual so that we can continue to be in God's Word, grow in His Word, and build one another up in Him.
Don't worry if you've misplaced your book or left it at church. I will post everything here (I feel that since we purchased forty books, there shouldn't be an issue with copyright laws).
I will begin with Chapter 6 this week, and continue posting one each week until we finish the book (9 chapters in all).
I am posting the questions in the comment section so that everyone can reply to them if they would like to, also giving us all the opportunity to comment on each other's answers, as well. In the last comment I post, I will be asking for prayer requests where you can add yours each week.
I'm hoping this format will be conducive to what I am envisioning here, but we shall see! : ) I may tweak as we go along.
The first one (Chapter 6) will be posted tomorrow, April 2nd.

Psalm 100:4

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4

This past week/weekend we celebrated Thanksgiving. Of course I'm thankful foremost for my salvation in Christ. I'm thankful for my family, my church, my home, cars, pets....but this year, I am so thankful for my job.  I started teaching art at the high school this fall and I absolutely love it.  There have been very challenging times, but overall, my work is very enjoyable and rewarding. 

When people say, "it's about time you got an art job," I smile and say it's perfect timing.  I know God's timing is always perfect. I struggled with this myself, but as I have gone through almost a whole semester here at the high school, I realize that I needed the years I had in other areas.  For one, special education.  I work with several students with special needs and am able to do it well because of my past work.  Also, with technology.  Students here at the high school are now 1:1 with a device (Chromebooks).   My three years as a computer teacher definitely prepared me for integrating digital portfolios into my curriculum. 

I pray that God uses me here with my students, and am so thankful for this opportunity. 

Romans 6:16 - "Obedience"

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Romans 6:16

I have been wanting to write this post since December.  Over the years, I’ve drilled into my children the need to read the Bible and pray every day.  This past fall, September through December, our ladies Bible study went through Carol Ruvolo’s book, A Believer’s Guide to Spiritual Fitness.  She made me aware of a third element.  Not only are we to read the Bible and pray every day, but we are to also be obedient to God’s Word.  Obedience.  Knowing and then “doing” need to go hand in hand.  If we are not obeying God, then we are, in actuality, obeying Satan. 

The hymn “Trust and Obey” is going through my head….trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.  No, singing this won’t make me more obedient, but it reminds me of what I need to do when circumstances tempt me to sin…that I need to be obedient to God.

So to keep with the theme of the month of February, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” John 14:15

 

This painting is by Ivan Guaderrama 

(Take a look at his website and you will see a wonderful testimony of God in his life).
 

Psalm 37:3

Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Psalm 37:3

My favorite season is upon us and once again, I marvel at the beauty all around. I’ve mentioned it before on this blog, March 31, 2010 as well as April 22, 2014, but it bears repeating. Praise God for His faithfulness.

God’s unwavering care for His people shouldn’t be a surprise.  It’s woven throughout the Bible from the beginning to the end.  We also can see His faithfulness in our daily lives.  And in each day, we must take the time to feed on His faithfulness, to read His Word and give our cares to Him in prayer.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

The new year is a time to reflect on the past and then make plans for the future. Writing our annual Christmas letter each year gives me an opportunity to remember all that occurred throughout the past year, to reflect and compare my expectations with reality. Last January, for the first time in several years, I didn’t have expectations. I worked at going through each day, living for the Lord, and not worrying about my career. I had finally come to be at peace with where I was and what I was doing.  I was content.  In previous years I always had expectations and plans. When they didn't pan out as I had anticipated I would be disappointed, and even frustrated, questioning my choices and decisions. But last year, I went into 2015 knowing God’s plans, not mine, are best. 

So when an opportunity came up to teach a computer class to 600 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders in March, I was caught off guard. I applied, was called for an interview, and was given the position in a few short weeks. I absolutely love what I am doing. But, this was never in my plans. And that makes me smile. All along, it was in His plans for me.

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Always be joyful. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16 (Living Bible TLB)

October was a fun month for Kansas City baseball. It was easy to be joyful when the games finally ended, and when we won the World Series Championship.  I can go on to say that we need to be joyful, even when the Royals aren’t winning (which has been much of my lifetime).  But I am actually wanting to look at someone else’s exemplified joy. 

When the MVP was announced, I was ecstatic.  Yes, Salvador Perez deserved it because of his catching and hitting abilities during the series, but to me, Salvy was MVP because of his character, his joy.  Always. 

I want to be just like Perez…not a great baseball player, but a person who exudes joy like he does.

1 Timothy 4:12-15

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 1 Timothy 4:12-15

Caleb turns 18 next week.  He will officially be an adult.  With adulthood comes serious responsibilities that require maturity, like signing up for the draft (boys) and registering to vote. But with age, maturity doesn’t just appear the day you wake up as an eighteen year old.  Life lessons (and your godly reactions to them) give you the fruitful growth desired by God, which is actually true maturity.

This fall, Caleb’s progress has been evident.  Has he had hiccups? Yes.  We are all working together on guarding our tongues. But while he’s had to deal with injustice in the area of sports, he’s learning how to handle it like a godly mature adult.  Progress in other areas of his spiritual life has also been evident, through his leadership in FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) that the kids attend each Wednesday morning before school, through his diligence in reading the Bible, praying, and also through discussions we have had with him after church services and Sunday school. 

I pray that God continues to guide him, build him up in his faith, and bless him; and that he will have a very enjoyable 18th birthday. 

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

³ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler^[a]
And from the perilous pestilence.
⁴ He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
⁵ You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
⁸ Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

⁹ Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
¹⁰ No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
¹¹ For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
¹² In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

¹⁴ “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

Psalm 91

I read Psalm 91 this morning and realized that because it is so ingrained into me, the knowledge of God and His sovereignty, His care for me and His watchfulness over me 24/7, I have confidence in decisions that I make and in everything I do.

Yesterday, I had two young children at my house.  We began the morning jumping on our trampoline.  I held the toddler’s hands because she was too scared to jump without holding onto me. We then walked through a field and along a fence line that was a few yards from the roadside.  I held their hands, knowing I needed to for safety.  We visited our family business next door before heading to my parent’s pool for a swim. As we went through the building saying hi to everyone and petting the dog, our insurance agent (who happened to be there talking with my dad) skeptically asked me if these two children knew how to swim.  I said they didn’t, but that we had a lot of floating paraphernalia. Once at the pool with swimsuits and floating gear donned, we swam and enjoyed the refreshing water.

I thought about all that I do to be responsible regarding safety, but I also reflected upon my own awareness that God does protect us.  I was able to relax and have fun without fear, knowing that He watches over me and keeps me in all my ways.  

Proverbs 31:10-31

Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

She seeks wool and flax,

And willingly works with her hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

She brings her food from afar.

She also rises while it is yet night,

And provides food for her household,

And a portion for her maidservants.

She considers a field and buys it;

From her profits she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself with strength,

And strengthens her arms.

She perceives that her merchandise is good,

And her lamp does not go out by night.

She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hand holds the spindle.

She extends her hand to the poor,

Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of snow for her household,

For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

She makes tapestry for herself;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

And supplies sashes for the merchants.

Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,

And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

She watches over the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all.”

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10-31

I’ve often heard women say that they feel inadequate when they read this passage.  I actually love it.  It reminds me that in all of time, mothers have been busy.  But who are the ones who notice?  Her husband and her children.  If we were to leave our work places, we are easily replaced.  However, if we were to leave this earth, we would be dearly missed by our loved ones, our husband and our children. 

This Scripture text helps me to keep my priorities straight, to put my family first.  To say “no” to other things outside the home so that I can have the energy I need to do what I love the most, to be a wife and a mother. 

Happy Mother’s Day.