Day 119 ~ 2010

Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.

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Day 119

Absalom wins Israelites affection - 2 Samuel 15:1-6

Psalm 62 - v8 Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.

Outbreak of Absalom's rebellion - 2 Samuel 15:-7-12

Psalm 41 - v11 By this I know that Thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumpth over me.

David flees from Jerusalem - 2 Samuel 15:13-16

Psalm 63 - v8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

Ittai's loyalty - 2 Samuel 15:17-23

Priests care of Ark - 2 Samuel 15:24-28

Psalm 61 - v2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Day 118 ~ 2010

Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.

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Day 118

Backtracking...as I have been praying and pondering over David's sin with Bathsheba.

Deu 22:22 If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.
According to the law...both David and Bathsheba should have died. God spared them. Showing mercy. The legalistic part of me wants to cry out, 'Not fair!'

Only by HIS grace are any of us spared from our sin and wickedness...I hold firmly to the doctrine of election, knowing it is only by HIS sovereign will that any are spared. When someone says that is not fair, the response is, 'True, we all deserve the death penalty.' So who am I to say anything against God's elect? And how HE decides to handle their sin.

Though David was cursed with the sword never departing from his house as today's reading shows.

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Which should REALLY scare all of us...what have we sown that we will reap? O' Lord help us to sow abundantly spiritually, bringing forth a massive harvest to Your glory, but let those words, thoughts, deeds and/or actions be sowed sparingly. Lord, help us to weed out behavior and thoughts which do not give a proper estimate of who You are.

Birth of Solomon - 2 Samuel 12:24-25

Absalom's rebellion - David and Joab capture Rabbah - 2 Samuel 12:26-31; 1 Chronicles 20:1-3

Psalm 21

Troubles of Amnon, David's son, rapes his sister Tamar - 2 Samuel 13:1-22

Absalom's vengeance and flight - 2 Samuel 13:23-39

Joab persuades Absalom to return - 2 Samuel 14:1-33

Amnon could have asked for Tamar. Why did he pursue such a violent action? Wickedness, pure wickedness. Then David does not deal with the sin. Why not? Did he feel guilty for his sin and chose to not discipline? Lord, help us, though flawed to speak forth Your words, even if doing so cuts us to the quick because of our own sins.

Absalom chose to handle the situation...yet flees...is persuaded to return...finally sees his dad, King David, who says nothing about all that has transpired. Lord, help us not to sweep sin and/or rebellion under the 'rug,' but to deal with it, expose the rot to the light of Your Word. Help Your people to be bold witnesses, to give a proper account of who You are in every area of our lives.

Day 117 ~ 2010

Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.

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Day 117 Nathan's reproof and David's repentance - 2 Samuel 12:-1-15 Psalm 51 ~ v4 - Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. How aware am I that when I sin, ultimately it is against Father first and foremost? Not negating the necessity of seeking forgiveness, reconciliation from someone I sinned against...but do I really grasp the enormity of my transgressions against HIM...even when no one sees/hears? 2Co 10:5-6 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Psalm 32 Psalm 38 Psalm 103 ~ v10-12 - He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth , so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath HE removed our transgressions from us. Thank you Lord! Intercession for sick child - 2 Samuel 12:16 Psalm 6 David's child dies - 2 Samuel 12:17-23 ~ Though we sin daily, we are not to wallow in the misery of what we have done...but to seek Father and HIS forgiveness and turn from our wicked ways...crucifying our fleshly desires daily. The only way we can have victory is by being conformed into HIS image, spending time daily with HIM. Dear Bride - how much do you look like the world? How set apart are you unto the coming Bridegroom? Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Day 116 ~ 2010

Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.

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Day 116

Decisive victories - Joab victorious over Ammonite-Syrian Forces - 2 Samuel 10:1-14; 1 Chronicles 19:1-15

David victorious over Syrian forces - 2 Samuel 10:15-19; 1 Chronicles 19:16-19

Psalm 20 - The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;...we sing this psalm in worship...it is so encouraging and uplifting.

David's sin and its consequences - David and Bathsheba - Adultery committed; Uriah killed - 2 Samuel 11:1-27

I am pondering why David was not out at war, which is where he was supposed to be...why Bathsheba was bathing in viewable sight...why she did not resist when David made known his desire to lay with her. David, a man after God's own heart...lusting after someone else's wife.

Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Then reflecting...where have I been which was not in accordance with the will of God? Doing or saying something in viewable sight, which does not honor our Lord. Not resisting evil.

What consequences is the Bride of Christ inviting upon herself by not keeping herself unspotted from the world? Is there anything that we say or do, while claiming kinship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords which causes HIS name to be blasphemed?

Lord, help us to walk uprightly before You in all that we say, do and think. Father, help Your bride to give a proper estimate of who You are in all that we are...in every season, situation and circumstance.

St. Patrick's Day?

Pagan or Christian?

We inevitably will find information to reinforce the position we want...so this topic, along with those about the holidays in general is one where preconceived notions, desires, wants, etc. need to be laid aside.

If you are a Christian, Scripture is the foundation of what you believe and why.  It should guide us in all areas, not just on Sunday morning or evening or Wednesday night.  We are called to be soldiers of the cross of Christ Jesus, which is a 24/7 calling, not part time 'job.'

Why are you participating in ________ fill in the blank.  Are there areas of neutrality?  Is the Bible specific, even counting the warnings given to Israel in the OT, about how and what we are to govern ourselves?  Are we to be set apart? Holy?  Ambassadors?

NOTE: The following information is taken from the blog of a witch.  This is not said in a snippy, holier than thou way.  Her blog reinforces that she is a pagan and comes from a long line of witches.  Lest you dismiss witches as archaic, think again.  Take caution when reading any site which is pro-pagan (anti-God).  Scripture tells us that one cannot be for God and against God.  You are either on one side or the other.

Pagans and Saint Patrick’s Day: The Real Meaning of the Holiday

by Claire on March 17, 2009 in General Blog

Posted Mar 17, 2009

Ever one to ruin the fun, I couldn’t let today go by without making a few comments about Saint Patrick and the annual holiday that’s held in his honor. Most of the people I know will be wearing green in some form today, thinking of all things Irish, drinking green beer, and possibly honoring that ancient Irish tradition of getting drunk and fighting. In other words, Saint Patrick’s day is a good excuse for partying, and few people will put any more thought into it than that. That’s fine. It’s a secular holiday in the United States, even if the day is named after a Catholic bishop and missionary, and so it should all be taken with a grain of salt. Go forth and party. Have a good time. Build for yourself the pending hangover of the gods. That’s what it’s all about, right?

If most people know anything about Saint Patrick, it’s that his one claim to fame is that he drove the snakes from Ireland. What most people don’t realize is that the snake is a Pagan symbol, and that the snakes referred to in the Saint Patrick mythos are not meant in the literal sense, but refer to Pagans; i.e., Saint Patrick drove the Pagans (specifically, the Celts) out of Ireland (although it could be said, and has been argued, that much has been done in Saint Patrick’s name, but that the man himself was relatively unimportant). So what is celebrated on Saint Patrick’s Day with drinking and much cavorting is, ironically, the spread of Christianity throughout Ireland and the subjugation and conversion of the Celts.

I have a perspective on Saint Patrick that most Americans do not. If you don’t know already, my surname is Mulkieran. That surname is associated with the parish of Clonkennkerrill near the small modern village of Gurteen, in Galway. It was first recorded in the early 11th Century, and other early recordings include Maelisa O’Mulkieran who died in 1197. My mother was a passionate genealogist, who traced our family farther back than that. So you might say that my Irish bonafides have been well established.

I mention this for no other reason than to be able to point out that my perception of Saint Patrick when I was growing up was vastly different from the popular secular view. My mother was a seventh generation hereditary witch, from a long line of women who rejected the Christian tradition of assuming the names of their husbands and kept her family name. There’s not a hyphen among the seven women who preceded me, and each one of them passed down the Pagan traditions which I hold dear today. Among these was a distaste for Saint Patrick (to say the least – my grandmother would spit at the mention of his name), who my family saw as a Christian invader, a missionary who was instrumental in the subjugation of the Irish isle to the Christian church (and who, worst of all, wasn’t even Irish).

It wasn’t arbitrary that the day honoring Saint Patrick was placed on the 17th of March. The festival was designed to coincide, and, it was hoped, to replace the Pagan holiday known as Ostara; the second spring festival which occurs each year, which celebrates the rebirth of nature, the balance of the universe when the day and night are equal in length, and which takes place at the Spring Equinox (March 22nd this year). In other words, Saint Patrick’s Day is yet another Christian replacement for a much older, ancient Pagan holiday; although generally speaking Ostara was most prominently replaced by the Christian celebration of Easter (the eggs and the bunny come from Ostara traditions, and the name “Easter” comes from the Pagan goddess Eostre).

I don’t celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. I don’t begrudge those who do, and it doesn’t bother me that a lot of my friends will be drinking green beer and wearing buttons that say “Kiss me, I’m Irish”. Saint Patrick’s day in practice has become a secular holiday, much like Christmas, that has only the vaguest hints of its religious underpinnings still intact. So if you want to drink green beer and act like an idiot, please do. It won’t bother me in the slightest.

I actually strike quite a figure on Saint Patrick’s day. When nearly everyone else is wearing green in some fashion, I usually wear red and black, in various degrees and styles. For me, the red represents the blood of my ancestors, who were driven out of Ireland or were subjugated by any one of many zealous Christian missionaries. The black is for the darkness that fell over the world with the rise and dominance of the Christian church and the forced installation of patriarchy that replaced the ancient reverence for the feminine divine.

The only green I wear on Saint Patrick’s Day is a pendant that was handed down from my great-grandmother. It’s an oak leaf made of silver, the leaves of which are inlaid with emeralds. Family tradition holds that the gems were brought over from Ireland when the family came to America in the mid 1800′s, and before that were passed down through the generations for centuries.

The significance of the oak leaf should be obvious to most Pagans. Greeks worshipped the oak as it was sacred to Zeus. It was a crime to fell an oak tree in Pagan Ireland. The ancient Celts wouldn’t meet unless an oak tree was present. The old expression “knock on wood” comes from the Celts, who believed in tree spirits. Both the Greeks and the Celts believed touching sacred trees would bring good fortune. They would knock on the oak tree to say hello to the tree spirit. And my family tradition holds that an oak leaf worn at the breast, touching the heart, will protect the wearer from all deception and the world’s false glamour. Oaks are protectors, and to me they represent strength and renewal; that spark of the old ways that can never be fully stamped out by Christianity, and which keep popping up in the least expected places.

Why not wear a shamrock? Simple. Legend credits Saint Patrick with teaching the Irish about the concept of the Christian Trinity by showing people the shamrock, using it to highlight the Christian belief of “three divine persons in the one God”. Wearing a shamrock to me is tantamount to wearing a Christian cross. I don’t begrudge those who do, but I know the meaning behind it, and I can’t follow you there. You might as well ask a Jew to wear a swastika.

In closing, all I’ll say is that instead of celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day, I’ll be looking forward to Ostara. It’s usually about this time of year that I feel the first stirrings of Spring in the air, and it really begins to feel like the Earth around me is beginning to reawaken from its long sleep. You’ll see it in the step of every young person you see, as their bodies respond to the marshaling of energies and their hormones start raging. The Wheel of the Year keeps turning, and this time of the year is all about renewal. It’s the reason we all find ourselves flirting shamelessly with one another.

If I’ll be celebrating anything on Saint Patrick’s Day, it’s that my world is passing from Winter into Spring. Flowers will soon be popping into existence all around me. And there’s no better time of the year that you can feel so alive. I’d much rather celebrate that than the subjugation and extermination of Pagans in Ireland.

WARNING: Be a Berean - don't just 'do' something simply because your family, culture, friends do or are involved in it.  Everything we do is either affirming or denying our allegiance to Christ.  Pray for the saints, we are all in a battle to crucify our flesh and give a proper estimate of HIM in everything we say, do and think.

ACTS 17:11 - These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 

Day 115 ~ 2010

Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.

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Day 115

Song of Deliverance - 2 Samuel 22:1-51

Psalm 18

Psalm 144

David and Mephibosheth - 2 Samuel 9:1-13

The song of deliverance in 2 Samuel is very similar to Psalm 18...I paused over verses 49 in 2 Samuel and 48 in Psalm 18.

2 Samuel 22:49 - And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

Psalm 18:48 - He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

I enjoyed the commentary of Gill on this particular passage...

Psa 18:48 He delivereth me from mine enemies,.... From Saul and his men, from Ishbosheth and Abner, from Absalom, and the conspirators with him; so all believers are delivered out of the hands of their enemies by Christ, as that they can serve the Lord without fear; and so Christ himself is delivered from all his enemies, being raised from the dead, and set at the right hand of God, where he must reign till all enemies are put under his feet;

yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me; David was lifted up from a low and mean estate, and placed on the throne of Israel, above all those that rose up against him, and sought to destroy him; and the saints are set upon their high places in Christ, where they are out of the reach of their enemies to do them any harm; and Christ, he is highly exalted at the right hand of God, above all principality and power, might and dominion, and every name that is named in this world;

thou hast delivered me from the violent man; either from Saul, from whom David was delivered; or from Satan the enemy, the son of wickedness, who shall no more exact upon and afflict the Messiah, Psa_89:21. The Chaldee paraphrase says, from Gog; as the saints will be delivered from antichrist, the man of sin, and son of perdition, who will be destroyed with the breath of Christ's mouth.

Though we may be in difficulties or distresses, our Lord reigns on high and nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Though we may be pursued and suffer for the sake of Christ on this side of glory, HE still reigns and will reward us if we faint not. Be diligent my brethren to keep thyself in HIS word, to walk worthy of HIS calling, making your election sure.

Days 143-144 ~ 2010

Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.

Days 143-144

Sayings of Wise Men - Proverbs 22:17-29; 23:1-35; 24:134

Second Selection of Solomon's Proverbs Added later - Wise Conduct - Proverbs 25:1-28

Other Sins - Proverbs 26:1-28

Other Maxims - Proverbs 27:1-27; 28:1-28; 29:1-27

Agur Speaks of Nature - Proverbs 30:1-33

H94 - אגוּר- 'âgûr - aw-goor' - Passive participle of H103; gathered (that is, received among the sages); Agur, a fanciful name of Solomon: - Agur.

Solomon's Backsliding - Heart Turned Away By Heathen Wives - 1 Kings 11:1-13

*~*~* This passage bothers me...Solomon started so well...asking God for only wisdom, not riches or honor, or the life of his enemies...and finishes poorly. The Bride of Christ started so well...and while there have been many faithful men (and women) throughout her history...the "church" is so tarnished and tainted that it is sometimes impossible to differentiate between her and the world.

She has, as Solomon did, become enamored with the ways of the world...in an attempt to be relevant and 'draw' people in...she has become a harlot in her demeanor and doctrine. The Bride is made up of people...which means we have those same tendencies...to be complacent...allowing idols in our lives.

I know Father's will is always accomplished, perfectly, in each and every person...but sometimes wonder if Solomon had been diligent to meditate on the Word daily, writing it (as instructed) if his outcome could have been different. How seriously do we, as the Bride, take the examples given to us and prayerfully seek to not follow in the sins of those recorded in HIS word?

O' Father, You are gracious, merciful and good...always...You only allow that in our lives which will cleanse and purify us. Father, cleanse the Bride...purge the sin, idolatry and wickedness that infuses her, wash her fresh Father. Open our eyes and ears to see and hear You and Your word, help us to make our calling and election sure.

May Father richly bless you as you study to show yourselves approved, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. Blessings ~ Melissa

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1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Days 113-114 ~ 2010

Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.

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Days 113 and 114

David's prayer - 2 Samuel 7:18-29; 1 Chronicles 17:16-27

Psalm 2

Psalm 110

Psalm 16

Additional territorial Gains - Philistine (2 Samuel 8:1; 1 Chronicles 18:1); Moab (2 Samuel 8:2; 1 Chronicles 18:2); Zobah (2 Samuel 8:3-8; 1 Chronicles 18:3-8); Syria (2 Samuel 8:5-6; 1 Chronicles 18:5-6)

Psalm 9

Hamath - 2 Samuel 8:9-11; 1 Chronicles 18:9-10

Edom - Psalm 60, Psalm 108, 2 Samuel 8:13-14; 1 Chronicles 18:12-13

Hadad, the Edomite flees to Egypt - 1 Kings 11:15-20

Spoils dedicated to the Lord - 2 Samuel 8:12; 1 Chronicles 18:11

David's mighty men - 2 Samuel 23:8-39; 1 Chronicles 11:10-47

Administrators and officers of kingdom - 2 Samuel 8:15-18; 1 Chronicles 18:14-17

This year in reading through I have appreciated the emphasis Father has given me on how the Psalms are 'sprinkled' throughout the trials, tribulations and testings HE allowed of HIS people. Specifically David as these Psalms are his crying out to the Lord and strengthening himself in the knowledge that if God is for him, no weapon (or person) can prevail.

Father reminds me that even though I may endure difficulties, HE is always with me, upholding and caring for me. That HE has a purpose in and through each and every circumstance and situation. My requirement is to keep my eyes on HIM and not look at the waves or wind.

He is faithful and true...always, in every situation and circumstance.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Rom 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Monstrous Regiment of Women

A documentary about the detrimental impact of feminism:

Day 112 ~ 2010

Originally posted in a forum in 2010 - this post may contain links which are no longer valid, if you find a non-working link, please let me know and I will attempt to find a replacement or make a correction as necessary.

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Day 112

Hymn of praise prepared - 1 Chronicles 16:4-7

Hymn of praise sung - 1 Chronicles 16:8-22

Psalm 105

1 Chronicles 16:23

Psalm 96:1-2

1 Chronicles 16:24-33

Psalm 96:3-13

Psalm 98

Psalm 106:47-48

1 Chronicles 16:37-43

Michal despises David who rejoices in the Lord - 2 Samuel 6:20-23 - Lord help us to rejoice in You despite people, situations and/or circumstances. May our lips and hearts and minds always give a proper estimate of who You are and give You all the glory and honor and majesty.

Israel's power grows - plans for God's house - David's desire to build - 2 Samuel 7:1-3; 1 Chronicles 17:1-2

God chooses Solomon to build the Temple - 2 Samuel 7:4-17; 1 Chronicles 17:3-15

I am awed before a creator God who knows all and controls all...God chose Solomon...not anyone else, not David...God. God chooses what is exactly correct and right for our lives, in HIS timing and by HIS design. I wonder if it was hard for David to wait?

We can rest (*Shabath) in the knowledge that our Father, who loves us so intimately and completely has worked out the plans and details of our lives from before the foundation of the world. Resting and waiting is sometimes so hard, but what joy and delight we experience when we fully submit and surrender to HIM who loves us and gave HIS all for us.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
*shâbath

shaw-bath'

A primitive root; to repose, that is, desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causatively, figuratively or specifically): - (cause to, let, make to) cease, celebrate, cause (make) to fail, keep (sabbath), suffer to be lacking, leave, put away (down), (make to) rest, rid, still, take away.

Week 12 ~ 2013

I'm still reading daily and making notes, just haven't taken the time to do the research and the typing.  Lazy...lacking discipline.  *sigh* Prayer coveted and appreciated.

Further note:  :-) I've come to the conclusion that 'scheduling' myself or putting a deadline on posting isn't, at this juncture, what is best.  As I study and prepare my weekly notes (and I am obviously weeks behind) I'll share.

1 Corinthians 7-8

Marriage review in chapter 7. Interesting time to be reading, my oldest son just got married...pondering upon the exhortation that marriage is the desired state.  That those who are called to be single are the exception, not the rule.  Marriage is a refining relationship like no other.  It is a wonderful growing together.  I wonder how many people delay marriage waiting on the 'right one' rather than working on being the 'right one?'

I've seen sayings - Choose your love, love your choice.  It is a choice, one does need to examine the other person to ensure, as much as is possible, that each is a good match/fit.  We have so many singles within the Bride of Christ, is it due to incompatibility issues? Immaturity?  Lack of guidance? Unreasonable expectations?

Marriage is to be a reflection of Him and His love for the Bride.  How often do we miss this point as we seek to have our own desires/lusts/wants/needs met?  Desiring to be served, versus desiring to serve.  To lay down our lives for another...to work through the beautiful rose scented times, as well as the thorny?

If you are married, may the Lord bless you with an understanding heart, a desire to fulfill His commands as you serve one another.  If you're not married and hesitant, please prayerfully consider if this is HIS state for you or your reluctance to lay down your life for another.

Genesis 44-47

Gen 45:18  And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.

Gill: and ye shall eat the fat of the land; the choicest fruits of the earth, such as were produced in fields and gardens; meaning that they should have the finest of the wheat for themselves, and the fattest pastures for their flocks.

fat - H2459 - From an unused root meaning to be fat; fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence the richest or choice part.

land - H776 - From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land).

Corn - is that actual corn as we know it, or does that mean a form of wheat?

Gen 45:23  And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.

Corn - H1250 - From H1305 (in the sense of winnowing); grain of any kind (even while standing in the field); by extension the open country: - corn, wheat.

• H1305 - A primitive root; to clarify (that is, brighten), examine, select.

I had to chuckle at myself...its interesting when making a mistake some of the gems discovered.

H1350 - A primitive root, to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), that is, to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative’s property, marry his widow, etc.).

That obviously caused me a double take when reading on what I thought was supposed to be a root for the word corn.  :-D

Gen 47:15  And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan,

money failed - Gill: It had been all spent in the third, fourth, and fifth years of the famine; for it seems to be at the end of the fifth, or beginning of the sixth year of the famine, that this was the case, since we after read of a second or following year, which was very plainly the last, since seed was given them to sow the land with, which shows the time of drought to be near at an end:

What was the money?  Gold?

money - H3701 - From H3700; silver (from its pale color); by implication money.

• H3700 - A primitive root; properly to become pale, that is, (by implication) to pine after; also to fear.

1 Samuel 6-19

1Sa 10:9  And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.

God gave him another heart.  Does this mean Saul had a regenerated heart?

Gill:  God gave him another heart; not in a moral or spiritual sense, not a new heart, and a new spirit, as in conversion, but in a civil sense, a right heart, a heart fit for government; filled with wisdom and prudence to rule a people; with courage and magnanimity to protect and defend them against their enemies, and fight for them; a heart not taken up with the affairs of husbandry, with care for his father's asses, and looking after his herds, but filled with concern for the civil welfare of Israel, and with schemes and contrivances for their good, and with warm resolutions to deliver them out of the hands of their enemies:

Keil and Delitzsch: When Saul went away from Samuel, to return to Gibeah, “God changed to him another heart,” - a pregnant expression for “God changed him, and gave him another heart” (see at 1Sa_10:6); and all these signs (the signs mentioned by Samuel) happened on that very day. As he left Samuel early in the morning, Saul could easily reach Gibeah in one day, even if the town where he had met with Samuel was situated to the south-west of Rachel's tomb, as the distance from that tomb to Gibeah was not more than three and a half or four hours.

1Sa 10:6  And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. 

Keil and Delitzsch: “Ecstatic states,” says Tholuck (die Propheten, p. 53), “have something infectious about them. The excitement spreads involuntarily, as in the American revivals and the preaching mania in Sweden, even to persons in whose state of mind there is no affinity with anything of the kind.” But in the instance before us there was something more than psychical infection. The Spirit of Jehovah, which manifested itself in the prophesying of the prophets, was to pass over to Saul, so that he would prophesy along with them (הִתְנַבִּיתָ formed like a verb הל for התנבאת; so again in 1Sa_10:13), and was entirely to transform him. This transformation is not to be regarded indeed as regeneration in the Christian sense, but as a change resembling regeneration, which affected the entire disposition of mind, and by which Saul was lifted out of his former modes of thought and feeling, which were confined within a narrow earthly sphere, into the far higher sphere of his new royal calling, was filled with kingly thoughts in relation to the service of God, and received “another heart” (1Sa_10:9). Heart is used in the ordinary scriptural sense, as the centre of the whole mental and psychical life of will, desire, thought, perception, and feeling (see Delitzsch, Bibl. Psychol. pp. 248ff., ed. 2). Through this sign his anointing as king was to be inwardly sealed.

1Sa 10:26  And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched. 

Gill: whose heart God had touched; and inclined to show honour and respect to their king; the Targum describes them,"men that feared to sin, and in whose hearts the fear of God was put.''

Psalms 33-35

Psa 33:15  He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

fashioneth - H3335 - probably identical with H3334 (through the squeezing into shape); (compare H3331); to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively to determine (that is, form a resolution).

• H3334 - A primitive root; to press (intransitively), that is, be narrow; figuratively be in distress.
• H3331 - A primitive root; to strew as a surface.

Psa 33:16  There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength (H3581).

Psa 33:17  An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength (H2428).

strength - H3581 - From an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard.

A large lizard - gotta love it.  Used 126x in 121 verses - wonder if this is the word God used in Job talking about Levithan? Yep...Job 40:16.  :-)

Psa 29:4  The voice of the LORD is powerful (H3581); the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

Psa 71:9  Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength (H3581) faileth.


Isa 40:29  He giveth power (H3581) to the faint; and to them that have no might (H202) he increaseth strength (H6109).

The other 'strength as used Psalm 33:17)

H2428 - From H2342; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.

• H2342 - A primitive root; properly to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), that is, (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; figuratively to wait, to pervert:

Used 243x in 228 verses - whoosh - -

Exo 18:25  And Moses chose able (H2428) men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 

1Ki 10:2  And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train (H2428), with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.

Interesting difference in definitions between the two words translated as 'strength' - an encouragement to not 'blindly' read w/out understanding.


Psa 33:18  Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope (H3176) in his mercy;

hope - H3176 - A primitive root; to wait; by implication to be patient, hope.

And since I'm 'behind' on posting, this fits quite well with a passage I read today in Jeremiah 17:17 (week 16 - think I'll remember that I've written on this topic when I get there?)

Jer 17:17  Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.

The cross reference (in my Bible) is:

I am literally sitting here laughing out loud at myself... *sigh* ...divine mistakes?  The passage I looked at today was not verse 17, rather 7 (thought I obviously read 17 too!); however, I find it highly amusing that verse 17 also uses the word hope and will try to flesh that one out as well.

Now...verse 7 states:

Jer 17:7  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope (H4009) the LORD is.

Cross reference for this verse is:

Isa 30:18  And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. 

What 'caught' my attention on this particular passage was the 'wait on him.' Waiting is such a difficult thing to do!

hope - H4009 - From H982; properly a refuge, that is, (objectively) security, or (subjectively) assurance.

• H982 - A primitive root; properly to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as H2620); figuratively to trust, be confident or sure.

verse 17 - hope (H4268) - From H2620; a shelter (literally or figuratively).

• H2620 - A primitive root; to flee for protection (compare H982); figuratively to confide in.

Trust and confidence in God and His timing, His protection, His loving mercy and guidance.  Not sure if these are the same Hebrew words, but comforting nonetheless.

Psa_37:7  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 

Psa_62:5  My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

Lam_3:25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Wait from Isaiah 30:18 - H2442 - A primitive root (apparently akin to H2707 through the idea of piercing); properly to adhere to; hence to await.

Interesting - this passage was one I recently read as well, waiting for due course.

Job 32:4  Now Elihu had waited (H2442) till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. 

Psa 33:20  Our soul waiteth (H2442) for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.

Isa 64:4  For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth (H2442) for him. 

Waiting...waiting...and learning...God doesn't have us wait, whether it is for a specific 'age' - or season, person, etc., without a divine purpose.  Everything that God does and allows in our lives is to remove dross from our lives and make us a better reflection of Him.  Not to glorify ourselves, but to give a proper estimate of Him in our conversation and conduct to those who are walking the path to the Celestial City and to those who are observing from different vantage points.

May the God of all grace and mercy endow each of us as we travel through this temporal setting the ability to wait upon Him, for His gifts are good and His delivery never out of season.

And the next passage that caught my attention in Psalms (now that I've trailed back to my original notes).  A verse of comfort:

Psa 34:7  The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

And and exhortation to those who are of the household of faith:

Psa 34:9  O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

Job 23-24

Isaiah 62-66

Isa 62:5  For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

bridegroom -  H2860 - From H2859; a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal): - bridegroom, husband, son in law.

• H2859 - A primitive root; to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage.

rejoiceth - H4885 - From H7797; delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly (the feeling).

• H7797 - A primitive root; to be bright, that is, cheerful.

bride - H3618 - From H3634; a bride (as if perfect); hence a son's wife.

• H3634 - A primitive root; to complete.

Which fits quite well as I contemplate my son just marrying his bride.  He is now complete.  She completes him as no other woman can or ever will.  Which as I contemplate the Bride of Christ, we are espoused to Him.  He is already complete, lacking in nothing, yet He has betrothed Himself to us.  Awaiting the day our espousals will be consummated.  We will complete Him?  That really is a thought provoking statement.  If He is already complete, is He lacking if He 'needs' us. Or is it rather that we need Him?  The kinsman redeemer?

Wow...I am having a major struggle with getting this post done...it has literally taken me weeks and trying to finish up today...all day.  Granted I've not been as diligent as I could or should have been.  Major battle with the flesh today.

Isa 64:8  But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Heh...which thrusts me back (or forward in this case) to the passage I read TODAY in Jeremiah about the potter.


Jer 18:2-6  Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

Mold me, make me, fashion me Lord to give a proper estimate of You...may I never be so stiff and unyielding that I must be broken.  Help me Lord to cling to You and desire Your ways and thoughts.

Now these next passages - these are routinely used with eschatology (the study of end times)...which is a subject that encompasses many different and varying viewpoints.

Isa 65:17  For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 

Isa 65:20  There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. 

There is pre-mill, post-mill, a-mill, pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, historist pre-mill, etc.  I've been studying (on and off) for the past 3 years...there are a few I can, without a doubt, throw out, others, I'm still fence sitting.

The wikipedia article may be read here, the article from Theopedia here.  These two are not the last (or first) word on the topic...there is more than enough out  there on the internet to keep someone busy for a l-o-n-g time.

Mark 3-4

Mar 3:5  And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

anger - G3709 - From G3713; properly desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), that is, (by analogy) violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorrence); by implication punishment.

• G3713 - Middle voice of apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary (compare G3735); to stretch oneself, that is, reach out after (long for).

Rom 1:18  For the wrath (G3709) of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 

Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath (G3709), even as others. 

Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath (G3709), and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 

grieved - G4818 - From G4862 and G3076; to afflict jointly, that is, (passively) sorrow at (on account of) some one.

• G4862 - A primary preposition denoting union; with or together (but much closer than G3326 or G3844), that is, by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.
• G3076 - From G3708; the act of gazing, that is, (external) an aspect or (internal) an inspired appearance.
• G3708 - Properly to stare at (compare G3700), that is, (by implication) to discern clearly (physically or mentally); by extension to attend to; by Hebraism to experience; passively to appear

Interestingly - this word for grieved is used only 1x - in the verse above.

Mar 3:21  And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself. 

beside himself - G1839 - From G1537 and G2476; to put (stand) out of wits, that is, astound, or (reflexively) become astounded, insane.

• G1537 - A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out (of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively; direct or remote).
• G2476 - A prolonged form of a primary word στάω staō (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively).

G1839 is used 17x in 17 verses...

Mar 6:51  And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed (G1839) in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 

Act 8:9  But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched (G1839) the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 

Act 10:45  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished (G1839), as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

2Co 5:13  For whether we be beside ourselves (G1839), it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 

When I did a search for the phrase 'beside himself' this passage came up as well:

Act 26:24  And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 

beside thyself - G3105 - Middle voice from a primary word μάω maō (to long for; through the idea of insensate craving); to rave as a “maniac”.

Joh 10:20  And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad (G3105); why hear ye him? 

1Co 14:23  If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad (G3105)?