Hosea 4:6a: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."
As I grew up, I watched my mom sit down at the kitchen table with her Bible (sometimes with more than one version), concordance, dictionary, commentary, and a notebook and pour through scripture. Later, these skills I learned from my Mom were reinforced by my church. I'm grateful because my mom and my church provided me with tools to gain Godly knowledge.
Why is it important for us to know the Word of the Lord? To begin with, it leads to truth. There are so many misconceptions in the world regarding what the Bible has to say. For example, many believe the saying "God helps those who help themselves" is in the Bible. It's not - this quote is attributed to Benjamin Franklin. How can we truly follow the Lord if we do not know what His word says? If I lived my life trying to help myself, then it would be a flawed endeavor because I am human.
Next, it's important to have Godly knowledge so that we are not misled by the good or bad intentions of others. Hosea 4:6 originally applied to the Israelite priests (God was admonishing them for leading His people astray), but I feel it applies to all of us now. How many people have been led astray because they lacked knowledge and followed those who claimed to have knowledge? In Luke 11:52, Jesus admonishes the lawyers (according to my footnote in my ESV Bible, it is another phrase for the "scribes of the pharisees") who have taken the "key of knowledge" away from others. According to the Matthew Henry Commentary, these lawyers perverted the scriptures by adding their own interpretations.
Finally, knowledge is a supplement to our faith. Second Peter 2:5-7 says: "For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." Peter continues in verse 8 explaining that these virtues keep us from being "unfruitful in the knowledge" of Jesus. I know I want to live a fruitful life (see my previous post about The Pruning Season) and knowing and living the way God wants me to will help me accomplish this.
He gives us knowledge and wisdom when we seek Him (Proverbs 2), but we have to be active participants. It makes us wise to those who may try to lead us astray and it adds to our faith. It keeps us fruitful and it brings us closer to the Lord. I pray we gain knowledge so that we are not destroyed.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Word Study Wednesday: Wasting Time
I recently started reading Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz. I haven't read that much yet, but so far it is an interesting read. One part though has stood out because it seems to apply to me: wasting time. Miller claims it's the devil's greatest way of derailing us from our purpose. I agree. I quickly lose focus on my purpose because I get distracted by little things that have no eternal value. I'm talking about checking email when I should be folding laundry (folding laundry is a service to my family) or watching tv instead of writing. Think about it - if my purpose is to write and glorify God with my writing and I'm watching television instead, is God glorified?
Paul warned the Ephesians about wasting time as well. In Ephesians 5:14b - 16, it says: "'Awake, o sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ will shine on you.' Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (ESV)
I like the way Matthew Henry's Commentary explains it: "Our time is a talent given us by God for some good end, and it is misspent and lost when it is not employed according to his design." (Matthew Henry's Commentary; pg. 1856) That brings me more than a twinge of guilt for all of the time I have wasted. We must take advantage of the time the Lord has given us.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I got stuck in a routine that did not include my full purpose. After our move, I truly understood the meaning of "Awake o sleeper..." I felt as if I had been sleepwalking through life. That is not how the Lord wants us to live. He wants us to worship Him, fellowship with Him and others, walk with Him, with purpose and intent. He wants us awake to enjoy the grace He has bestowed upon us and to share it with others. He wants us to see the hurt others carry and do something to alleviate their burdens. He wants us to laugh and play with our children. He wants our hearts and our full attention.
The enemy wants to distract us from our true purpose. Let us be wise to his ways and be prepared for battle. Let us also be awake - no battles are won while sleeping.
Paul warned the Ephesians about wasting time as well. In Ephesians 5:14b - 16, it says: "'Awake, o sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ will shine on you.' Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (ESV)
I like the way Matthew Henry's Commentary explains it: "Our time is a talent given us by God for some good end, and it is misspent and lost when it is not employed according to his design." (Matthew Henry's Commentary; pg. 1856) That brings me more than a twinge of guilt for all of the time I have wasted. We must take advantage of the time the Lord has given us.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I got stuck in a routine that did not include my full purpose. After our move, I truly understood the meaning of "Awake o sleeper..." I felt as if I had been sleepwalking through life. That is not how the Lord wants us to live. He wants us to worship Him, fellowship with Him and others, walk with Him, with purpose and intent. He wants us awake to enjoy the grace He has bestowed upon us and to share it with others. He wants us to see the hurt others carry and do something to alleviate their burdens. He wants us to laugh and play with our children. He wants our hearts and our full attention.
The enemy wants to distract us from our true purpose. Let us be wise to his ways and be prepared for battle. Let us also be awake - no battles are won while sleeping.
Finally Settled and Chasing Discipline
Boxes are unpacked and items are put away - finally! Our house is looking more like a home now. This move has been an enlightening experience and I admit to feeling overwhelmed a few times.
The need for discpline has hit me again. By nature, I procrastinate. I set things aside and tell myself I will handle them later. This is not news to me. As we cleaned closets, drawers, and cabinets before putting our home on the market, I realized how my procrastination has spun out of control. Several times I wanted to quit and melt into a puddle instead of dealing with the mountain of junk. If I had been disciplined in dealing with my stuff at the time, instead of putting it aside, I wouldn't have stressed myself out (moving is stressful enough without adding to it).
This past year has been a lesson in discipline and how I lack it. I'll be honest - my undisciplined life has led me to unhappiness and unnecessary stress. My lack of discipline with eating and exercise has led me to being overweight and lacking energy. My lack of discipline in managing my household has led to a cluttered home offering no respite from the world, but only more stress. The worst part is, my lack of discipline not only affects me, but my family as well.
Hebrews 12:11 says: "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (ESV) I admit I do not like exercising and I do not like cleaning. But I know if I do these things then I will be healthy and my home will be a comfortable home, offering rest not stress.
Discipline is not elusive, but rather challenging since it requires discpline to practice discipline. So here is my action plan - pray, pray, pray. If the Lord wants me to have discipline, then I will have it. All it requires on my part is a daily surrender of my self and faith in Him.
Are there any areas in your life requiring discipline? Or, are you one of those who practices discipline? If so, could you share some of your ideas and tips to help those of us lacking discipline?
The need for discpline has hit me again. By nature, I procrastinate. I set things aside and tell myself I will handle them later. This is not news to me. As we cleaned closets, drawers, and cabinets before putting our home on the market, I realized how my procrastination has spun out of control. Several times I wanted to quit and melt into a puddle instead of dealing with the mountain of junk. If I had been disciplined in dealing with my stuff at the time, instead of putting it aside, I wouldn't have stressed myself out (moving is stressful enough without adding to it).
This past year has been a lesson in discipline and how I lack it. I'll be honest - my undisciplined life has led me to unhappiness and unnecessary stress. My lack of discipline with eating and exercise has led me to being overweight and lacking energy. My lack of discipline in managing my household has led to a cluttered home offering no respite from the world, but only more stress. The worst part is, my lack of discipline not only affects me, but my family as well.
Hebrews 12:11 says: "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (ESV) I admit I do not like exercising and I do not like cleaning. But I know if I do these things then I will be healthy and my home will be a comfortable home, offering rest not stress.
Discipline is not elusive, but rather challenging since it requires discpline to practice discipline. So here is my action plan - pray, pray, pray. If the Lord wants me to have discipline, then I will have it. All it requires on my part is a daily surrender of my self and faith in Him.
Are there any areas in your life requiring discipline? Or, are you one of those who practices discipline? If so, could you share some of your ideas and tips to help those of us lacking discipline?
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
A Little Disconnected
Well, I've done it again. I've let life's changes interrupt my spiritual life. Don't get me wrong - I've prayed and thanked God for several things, but I still feel disconnected. And it shows. I am quickly angered by little things. My patience level is low. The words out of my mouth are not loving, but rather snippy. My thoughts consist more of to-do lists instead of meditations on the Lord.
Throughout scripture, we are reminded to remember the Lord - His deeds, miracles, commands, and words. When I've read these scriptures in the past, I've thought to myself, "well, of course, who could forget the Lord?" Now I know from experience. It's not that I've forgotten about Him, but I've neglected Him. Through my negligence though, I have forgotten to praise Him when times are tough and to pray to Him through a difficult situation. At one point this week, I even asked myself "what's wrong with me?" That's when the Spirit reminded me - "You haven't been seeking the Lord."
In Numbers 15:38 - 40, the Israelites are commanded to "make tassels on the corners of your garments with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them...(NIV)" That gives me an idea - make something to physically remind me of the LORD and his commands and to stay connected.
Staying connected requires more than just a reminder though, it requires work on my part. I need to set apart time for prayer and worship, meditation on the LORD and His words, and reflection. I need to do what Brother Lawrence did - practice the presence of God. I need to seek the Lord.
I can't wait for my life to settle down before practicing His presence because life may never settle down. In fact, as the past few weeks have shown me, I need to stay connected to the Lord at all times. Otherwise it's not pretty.
Throughout scripture, we are reminded to remember the Lord - His deeds, miracles, commands, and words. When I've read these scriptures in the past, I've thought to myself, "well, of course, who could forget the Lord?" Now I know from experience. It's not that I've forgotten about Him, but I've neglected Him. Through my negligence though, I have forgotten to praise Him when times are tough and to pray to Him through a difficult situation. At one point this week, I even asked myself "what's wrong with me?" That's when the Spirit reminded me - "You haven't been seeking the Lord."
In Numbers 15:38 - 40, the Israelites are commanded to "make tassels on the corners of your garments with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them...(NIV)" That gives me an idea - make something to physically remind me of the LORD and his commands and to stay connected.
Staying connected requires more than just a reminder though, it requires work on my part. I need to set apart time for prayer and worship, meditation on the LORD and His words, and reflection. I need to do what Brother Lawrence did - practice the presence of God. I need to seek the Lord.
I can't wait for my life to settle down before practicing His presence because life may never settle down. In fact, as the past few weeks have shown me, I need to stay connected to the Lord at all times. Otherwise it's not pretty.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Turned Upside Down
Two and a half years ago, my family and I relocated to another state. This was a difficult move during a difficult time. Of course, like most people, I questioned the wisdom of this move. Two and a half years later, I thank the Lord for His wisdom.
When I decided to stay home and raise my children (two years before the move), I stopped writing. Actually, I was burned out. I figured writing was something I did before kids and I was fine with that conclusion. Looking back, I realize I slipped into a rut. I got stuck in the daily routine. Running errands, doing chores around the house, paying bills, and so on. I didn't notice this though until we moved.
Relocating to Colorado in December 2007 definitely shook me out of my routine. It forced me to leave my comfort zone and meet new people. I no longer had extended family nearby to help me with the kids. I also had to learn how to drive in snow and find new routes. I had to find new places to shop for groceries and clothes. Most importantly, I realized, through lots of prayer, that I wasn't living my entire purpose. Yes, God made me to be a wife and a mother, but He also created me to write. That is the talent He gave me. When reviewing Proverbs 31, I noticed the woman completed her purpose. She was a wife and a mom, but she also used her talents to help her family (see Proverbs 31:16 and 24).
As a result, I joined a writer's group, started a year-long review of the creative writing process, started this blog, and even submitted an article for publication (though it wasn't accepted). I even joined the madness of NaNoWriMo and tried to write a 50,000-word novel in a month.
Now, we have moved back to where we were originally. The past few months have been a bit chaotic, and I look forward to setting a routine. I know routine is a good thing (particularly with kids), but I need to be awake for the process. I even need to shake it up now and then to avoid settling. I carry the lessons I learned in Colorado and am excited about applying them here. I feel my passion for writing again. It took a move to another state to shake up my life and I'm grateful for it.
When I decided to stay home and raise my children (two years before the move), I stopped writing. Actually, I was burned out. I figured writing was something I did before kids and I was fine with that conclusion. Looking back, I realize I slipped into a rut. I got stuck in the daily routine. Running errands, doing chores around the house, paying bills, and so on. I didn't notice this though until we moved.
Relocating to Colorado in December 2007 definitely shook me out of my routine. It forced me to leave my comfort zone and meet new people. I no longer had extended family nearby to help me with the kids. I also had to learn how to drive in snow and find new routes. I had to find new places to shop for groceries and clothes. Most importantly, I realized, through lots of prayer, that I wasn't living my entire purpose. Yes, God made me to be a wife and a mother, but He also created me to write. That is the talent He gave me. When reviewing Proverbs 31, I noticed the woman completed her purpose. She was a wife and a mom, but she also used her talents to help her family (see Proverbs 31:16 and 24).
As a result, I joined a writer's group, started a year-long review of the creative writing process, started this blog, and even submitted an article for publication (though it wasn't accepted). I even joined the madness of NaNoWriMo and tried to write a 50,000-word novel in a month.
Now, we have moved back to where we were originally. The past few months have been a bit chaotic, and I look forward to setting a routine. I know routine is a good thing (particularly with kids), but I need to be awake for the process. I even need to shake it up now and then to avoid settling. I carry the lessons I learned in Colorado and am excited about applying them here. I feel my passion for writing again. It took a move to another state to shake up my life and I'm grateful for it.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
I'm Back - For A Little Bit
I wanted to let you know I haven't forgotten about you. We are in the process of relocating from one state to another and it has taken more of my time than I thought it would. We are out of one house and waiting to move into another. Meanwhile, we are staying with family. Prayerfully, the process will be complete by mid-June.
I am thankful for this move. It brings us much closer to family and old friends. I'm also sad though as I had to leave new friends. It's moments like these that I'm thankful for our current technology. Though I can not meet my friends face-to-face for coffee, I can use Skype and drink coffee while web-chatting. It's almost the same thing - just missing the hugs.
I plan on posting a few more times before the move into the new house. I've missed blogging (and writing in general) and hearing from you quite a bit. Just a head's up though - I will probably take a couple of weeks off when we move so I can focus on bringing order to my house. Please be patient with me.
Thanks for your understanding!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Tending to Personal Issues
I have decided to take a break from posting for awhile. We have had some stuff come up that needs my attention. It's nothing major like illness or anything, but it still requires a lot of my time. I hope to be blogging again within the next month, so please check back soon.
God bless you,
Joanna
God bless you,
Joanna
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