I am looking forward to the interaction that will come from sharing comments, questions and insights gleaned from this week of studying. I don't know that we have a particular format here.
Here are some questions to get us started...
Feel free to deviate from the questions. Just thought it would organize our thoughts and conversations to put it under a post.
What are some things that stuck out for you this week?
What do you want to go back to study further?
What have you learned that you want to apply to your life?
How can we continually put ourselves in places so we can receive and grow in our love of God and knowledge of Him through His word?
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Well, I guess I'll start. This devotional is a great addition to the book Kelly and I are going through...Finding intimacy through a daily devotional life. More and more it is impressed on me the need for this intimacy with God. We can study and study, and gain a lot of head knowledge (which is also good) but to actually desire that time with God, to listen to Him speak to me through His Word, and receive direction for my life. As I spend time with Him, I am refreshed, energized in my spirit. . The purpose is to stay before Him until I know I have met with Him. A consistent devotional life feeds my soul as food does my body, and fine tunes me to God's heart enabling me to keep short accounts with Him, and walk dependent on Him. I think this is the first step to becoming "blameless before God.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I have found from experience that it is best to start out the day with God in prayer, and praise, and reading from the psalms...if I do this first thing there is likely to be less distractions and I'm more ready to meet the rest of my family with the "right" attitude. Then I usually do more of my "studying" later in the morning and or evening...usually just leaving my studies open on my desk (in the kitchen) so I'm reminded to meditate on that portion of scripture and keep an "attitude" of prayer.
I have written a post but it has been rejected twice so I am seeing if this works and I'll try again later. I wrote it in word and am transporting it.
ReplyDeleteNow how are you nurturing that "morning meeting" in Kelly, in your kids.
OK. I think I have some time right now.
ReplyDeleteSome things that stuck out:
-p4 Claims about the Bible, this could be its own study. I think I am going to add some of the claims to my scripture spiral so I can memorize and meditate on these verses and truths.
-p10 I always find I need to understand blameless – maybe memorize the definition or verse. It doesn't matter how many times I hear it explained I often have to fight from believing it means perfection. If I think perfection then I want to make myself look good by always trying to do the right thing and having it all together. The more God is dealing with my pride, the more I realize I don't it together and really can't do it on my own so I then struggle with self deflation!
Mom and Leanne, I think you have studied more OT - I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on OT in relation to the blameless question - all the sacrificial references...pre and post law...I also haven't had a chance to look up Col 1:22 – 23 and the fulfilment of the law through this verse. I believe that is what is being referred and believe I would understand it more fully if I had that OT knowledge of the sacrifice.
NT – blameless. This is my summary at this point.
It is fully God's purpose that we are blameless. It isn't a gift for just one or two exemplary people. He has called us to hope for a life with Him and desires that we all reach that goal. He knows that perfection in our sense of the word is not possible. If it were we wouldn't need Jesus to reconcile, and the Holy Spirit to live in us. We wouldn't need Christ to present us to God upon completion. Quite plainly, we wouldn't need God.
Maybe our efforts to become blameless is the process by which God knows that we want to be His possession; that we truly desire the inheritance He has for us.
Because we believe to the very core of our being that God has created us and Jesus has saved us from ourselves, Christ will keep us strong as we choose to trust God with our lives and live as forgiven people. He will fill us with His love, with knowledge, with insight so that we are able to use the wills He has given us and therefore make the “best” decisions, constantly understanding more fully what it means to be a follower of Christ, never taking our eyes off the prize, never being distracted or diverted (message) therefore resulting in glory to God. Wow, that is my prayer.
There are so many things I want to hear your thoughts on!!!!
I'm running out of time here and you likely want to stop reading!
Further study...
To go back and look through the law that the Psalmist is referring to. I am so thankful for the full Bible.
Application...
To understand more fully the practise of praising God with an upright heart.
My problem right now isn't a time problem. Mine is more of a community one. I am finding that I need to work hard to place myself in situations where I can work out my difficulties and use my strengths with other people. One vehicle, new friends...one can get by with more surface contacts if not careful. The other side of it is family - my immediate family. I spend a lot of time reading and studying and I see my kids doing things that have taken me so many years to learn and I want them to learn them now so that they don't make the same mistakes I did. But I don't want to be grumpy about it...I'm not sure how to word it. As I write it sounds like being religious or legalistic on the one end if not kept in check. I want my family and my circle of influence to see the delight I find in scripture. That the treasure in my clay jar is the power of God at work in me through His word and Holy Spirit.
About "blameless"...you're right, it's not Perfection, which is where we often can "beat ourselves up" on.
ReplyDeleteWhat came to mind when studying this, and now when you ask, is the life of David. He's such a good example, and he's just a normal man with normal temptations, yet he is often quoted in the Bible as a man after God's own heart...and that is so attainable for us as well, and also what God desires.
You know well the his story in 2 Sam 11 (but do read it again) Actually chp 12 too. Later on in chp 22 David writes a song of deliverance, and in it (v21-28) he talks about being blameless, keeping the ways of the Lord, that he kept himself from iniquity, and that he was clean before the Lord....how could he say these things after all his sin? .....he so understood forgiveness. He made so many mistakes as you read through his life, but he was always so quick to confess them and continue his walk in righteousness. He knew God forgave him, and he walked in the joy of that forgiveness. Of course that doesn't take away the consequences, but we have a restored relationship. God is all about a relationship, which ties in Psalm 51 "For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it, You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart, O God You will not despise.
Our sin teaches us so much if we will let it.
" Only forgiven sinners can testify God's forgiveness to other sinners. Many times we may think that we are useless b/c of our sin, but God says that we are in the perfect position to evangelize." (Kay Arthur)
We need to be in the word to be able to recognize our sin and call it that, and then repent and ask God for forgiveness.
I guess I didn't answer your questions about nurturing. As for our kids, I try to be an example for them to see, and sometimes they don't b/c they aren't up or around when I'm doing them...but I guess even mentioning why it is important to me. I want them to spend their own time with God b/c they choose to, not b/c I told them that's what they should do...on the other note, it does take discipline, and "habit" to have that time, but I do believe if a relationship is what you want, the discipline will turn into a desire. As a family we are trying to reading through the Bible in a year (on our own) Sometimes they read in the morning, and sometimes at night.
ReplyDeleteWith Kelly, as a result of our study, and looking at Jesus' example, she really desires to have that morning time, but finds it very hard, as her kids hear her when she gets up, and they are up too. I've told her to try a few things. 1) Have them in bed 2) Do them while the kids read their own books right beside her 3) Feed them and get their physical needs met, then put in a movie for them. I told her not to stress out on the length, but to even start with a prayer, a psalm, or use a little devotional book...something to set the tone for the day.
We've started memorizing scripture together...that can be a great way to start as well, by meditating on scripture that you know.
If you have any suggestions of what's worked for you??
I constantly need discussion in the area of family growth. I like what you are doing together as a family.
ReplyDeleteMegan had a neat idea awhile back. She wanted us to each have our own devotions and then come together and share what we were reading. Sometimes it works. I like having those discussions with Megan. Alexander and Lauren are still very dependent. So we continue with family devotions. My prayer is that they will take time each day to devote their day to God. To grow to learn that it is His love they need for the days situations. And that they will be passionate in following through.
The other area that struck me awhile back is the practise of acknowledging our need for God and corporate confession. How are the kids supposed to understand the process of forgiveness and daily confession if we do not model and work through that.
I think those are great ideas for Kelly. Hopefully she can train her kids in that way. Is Mark gone already at this point? I think your accountability and scripture memory will be great.
Beth Moore has a little "formula" for morning prayer that takes well as long as you make it but not necessarily long.
Pour Out - confessions, concerns
Pour In - filling of the Holy Spirit
Pour Forth - God has made me competent to minister to the world.
Thanks Nicole.....I am on and will read everything and comment. I finished week one...am waiting for the book.
ReplyDeleteExcellent. Look forward to hearing your insights and your heart.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited we are doing this together. It brings me great joy.
Enjoyed your comments. Regarding "blameless" I like the idea that there is nor charge against me.....that God has forgiven my sin and it is the continual process of renewal and learning (study) thru God's Word and maintaing a relationship with Him
ReplyDelete