Genesis 23-26, Matthew 12-13

Yesterday's Reading: Genesis 23 and 24, Matthew 12
Today's Reading: Genesis 25 and 26, Matthew 13

argh! Just wrote a long post and lost connectivity - same hotel in Austin where I had issues last go round. I will learn not to click "publish post" until I check for connection. :)

The sequence of the parables in Matthew 13 struck me. So here's the reader's digest version of what I was thinking about for the past 20 minutes:

The Word hits my heart - which may be any one of several types of soil. As part of the kingdom of heaven, I'm in good soil, but that doesn't preclude the enemy working around me (tares). I may be in good soil, but as part of the kingdom of heaven, I'm tiny...but can become much as the kingdom grows and flourishes (mustard seed and leaven). Am I willing to give up everything to acquire the kingdom of heaven (as if it were hidden treasure or a costly pearl)? Some are and some aren't...so still the dragnet.

What's resonating with you from these chapters? Please post!

Tomorrow's Reading: Genesis 27 and 28, Matthew 14

Genesis 21 and 22, Matthew 11

hee, hee - reading Genesis 21 while a show about having babies when you're elderly...one of the moms did ivf and had a baby at 70...is on in the background.

Matthew 11: 28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

This is one of my favorites - the notion of rest for my soul is what I love the most.






Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 23 and 24, Matthew 12

Genesis 19 and 20, Matthew 10

Today's reading:
Genesis 19 and 20
Matthew 10

Matthew 10: 8b
Freely you have received, freely give.

Hm. This follows - heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy....I have received grace with my sick spiritual heart and received a "spiritual transplant" that can't fail... that can't "catch" another's spiritual disease if I'm taking care of my new heart...and that means that I need to freely give - regardless of spiritual or physical state. I don't need to consider costs or play out scenarios or assess risk - I just need to give.

Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 21 and 22
Matthew 11

Genesis 17 and 18, Matthew 9

Today's reading:
Genesis 17 and 18
Matthew 9

Genesis 18:19
For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him.

What a great summary of the covenant...we have the detailed explanations and conversations and then this reader's digest version.
A covenant with the LORD is not just "Him"-sided. We receive Jesus as our Savior. We disciple our children and households in the ways of the LORD. The LORD will bring about what He has promised...I haven't had a detailed conversation like Abraham did, but he didn't have the printed Word (Thanks, Amy, for that reminder). I have what is printed as promises (some of my faves) that come from walking by faith, in faith, through faith, with faith:

• prosper not harm me, a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)
• trust that suffering builds endurance, endurance builds character, and character builds hope. and hope does not disappoint us because God has poured outhis love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:3-5)
• love that never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8a)

Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 19 and 20
Matthew 10

Genesis 15 and 16, Matthew 8

Today's reading:
Genesis 15 and 16
Matthew 8

I wonder if God ever sighed when Abram brought up the whole "descendents" thing time after time after time. Is that why He decided to take him outside?

And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendents be." Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15: 5-6

What did the LORD do to "take him outside"? I can't even imagine what the stars looked like with no city lights and street lights...pretty overwhelming to have what he must have seen compared to his descendents. But the visual aid helped Abram - because then he believed. What visual aids has the LORD given me?

Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 17 and 18
Matthew 9

Genesis 13 and 14, Matthew 7

Today's reading:
Genesis 13-14
Matthew 7

Matthew 7:2 "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you."

Hmmm...how often is my standard more persnickety than God's standard? ...that whole expecting perfection (or close to perfection) thing from the saved and the unsaved...God doesn't expect perfection. He expects me to be perfected by Him. I'm not really wanting a standard of perfection applied to me because though saved by grace through face, I mess up quite a bit.

Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 15-16
Matthew 8

Today's reading:
Genesis 11 and 12
Matthew 6

Genesis 12:1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people, and your father's household and go to the land I will show you."

Matthew 6:25,27 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life....Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

I wonder what Abram's first thought was....Was it "everyone"? Was it "that will be a trip"? Was it "super! let's get packed honey"...What was his second thought? His third thought? I would have worried - a lot - but disguised it under a million questions.

Then I flip to the NT and Jesus says "do not worry about your life"...

Learned something today that will alter my journey at work - nothing major - but a change, and I started thinking of a million questions. Then I started worrying...and then tonight's scripture. Timely, I think. I think the Lord is showing me some new land - and it's land that I won't be going to even though I would like to...and I'm reminded not to worry about my life.


Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 13 and 14
Matthew 7

Today's reading:
Genesis 9 and 10
Matthew 5



Such generosity of heart in Matthew (copied and pasted from http://www.blueletterbible.org/):


Matthew 5:39-48
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor [fn] and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies [fn] and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.



If this is done/asked for, do more...all of these couplets seem to contrast "worldly views" with Jesus' views...ending with "Be perfect...". This makes me think of the section in Mere Christianity that we just finished where Lewis talks about dressing up that results in us becoming like what we dress up as...if I do the things that Jesus is talking about - try to "dress" like him...I'll be moving closer to perfect.



And the verse from Genesis:

Genesis 9:1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.



Noah and his sons heard God. The disciples heard Jesus. What do they sound like?



Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 11 and 12
Matthew 6

Genesis 7 and 8, Matthew 4

Today's reading:
Genesis 7 and 8
Matthew 4

Genesis 7:5 And Noah did all the the LORD commanded him.

Genesis 7:17 For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth.

Matthew 4:1-2 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

Matthew 4:10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

Forty days and nights of trusting the LORD for all provision - in a flood unlike anything seen before - in the wilderness without food...some days I waver after 40 minutes - 40 seconds on particularly yucky days - and try to take back control. Forty days and nights - that would be from tonight until June 19...doing all that He commands, worshipping and serving Him only. June 19.

Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 9 and 10
Matthew 5

Genesis 5 and 6, Matthew 3

Today's reading:
Genesis 5 and 6
Matthew 3

:) Chapter 5 answered my question about Seth. Adam was 130 when they had Seth. Then Seth was 105 years and had Enosh......Lydia's not looking so late in life... Roger, honey, we're only 41...

Genesis 5:8-9 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. ...Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.

Matthew 3:17 (John is baptizing Jesus)...and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.

Walking with God certainly has its benefits. :) Why then do I ever choose to stray?

Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 7 and 8
Matthew 4

Genesis 3 and 4, Matthew 2

Today's reading: (Tried to post this on Monday but was kicked off hotel's internet and did something else to continue the glitch, so I went to bed.)

Genesis 3 and 4

Matthew 2


Genesis 4:26b Then men began to call upon the name of the LORD.

Matthew 2:2b For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.

Adam and Eve could talk to God - directly. Two generations later (Seth and then Enosh) - then men began to call upon the name of the LORD. I'm not really sure when Seth came along given all the folks listed before him that came from Cain after Cain settled in the land of Nod. I'm wondering if Seth was a "late in life" baby...Did Enosh feel differently about the LORD than Tubal-cain?

Then wise men who sought the King who had a star and wanted to worship Him.

Men called upon the name of the LORD early in the Old Testament. We begin the New Testament with men continuing to worship Him...Does "call upon the name" mean the same thing as worship?

Tomorrow's reading:

Genesis 5 and 6
Matthew 3

Genesis 1 and 2, Matthew 1

Today's reading:
Genesis 1 and 2 - The creation of earth and man
Matthew 1 - The lineage and birth of Jesus

Interesting to have these two passages next to each other. The creation of earth - before the fall of man and his changed relationship with God - and the birth of the Savior to restore man to his relationship with God.

Also interesting to juxtapose the time...seven days in Genesis. In Matthew: 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 from David to the exile in Babylon, and 14 from the exile to the birth of Jesus. Seven days to create and 42+ generations before restoration would be possible. The Lord was patient to restore us.

The Lord works quickly and slowly - according to His purposes. If I would choose to wrap my mind around that and really embrace that His timing is His timing, I would probably stress less and enjoy the days more. Lord, remind me when I choose to forget...

Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 3 and 4
Matthew 2

Things One, Two, and Three

In one of my favorite pictures of Lydia, she is standing on a stack of books that she has made...standing on her tip-toes as the stack is sliding away from under her...reaching for a Russian nesting doll that is just barely out of reach. Lydia is doing everything she can to get the toy that she wants that she isn't supposed to have...and she has on her "Thing Two" onesie...

Yes, like the "Thing Two" from the Cat in the Hat... Thing One and Thing Two were set free from their box by the Cat in the Hat and craziness and messes ensued. The children were bothered by Thing One and Thing Two and didn't quite seem to know what to do with them.

What things bother me that I just don't know quite what to do with?

Thing One - Lack of Self-Discipline
Spiral bound books with a reading plan and detailed study notes. Learning about God. Organized, intentional discussions. Godly facilitators. Specific meeting times. A clear beginning and a clear end. These are some of the things that I love about Bible studies.

Erratic family and work travel schedules. Losing a book. Forgetting to read. Intentionally not reading to make time for something else. These are some of things that impede my success when in a Bible study.

So...the things that others take care of are things that I love and things that I have control over are the things that get in my way. It seems a no-brainer when I read what I just wrote...but it's so much easier to go without using my brain when self-discipline is required.

Thing Two - Relying on Someone Else to Lead
Several years ago, a dear friend challenged the folks in her email address book to read a specified Bible passage with her each day and make 1 comment about the day's reading - and to "reply all" so that we could all benefit from each other's comments. LOVED THIS! I kept up with daily reading better than I ever had...and as an email addict, learned from the hearts of some neat, reflective women...but if CB didn't read and post, I surely didn't. I was dependent on her nudging and example.

Thing Three - Longing for How Things Should Be
Two verses have been niggling at my brain and weighing on my heart lately...

• Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
• Luke 6:45b: Out of the overflow his heart, his mouth speaks.

Things One, Two, and Three from the "box of me"...a need for self-discipline, a need for someone else to direct what should come from self-discipline, and a sense that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart are often not in line with Psalm 19:14. Really, these Things are out of my box and running amok...leaving disorder behind and around them.

Like Lydia in that picture, I'm standing on my tip-toes, reaching for things that are out of my reach and that I probably don't need to be reaching for: an ideal "whatever", a particular moment or experience, things that distract me...I'm standing on a stack I've made of experiences, things I've read, emotions...and it's slipping out from under me. My heart's t-shirt has my Things One, Two, and Three on the front.

I need to step down off that stack and work to put Things One, Two, and Three in their place...A task that is appropriately in my reach if I rely on the One who is greater than I am.

Thing One will probably continue to mess with me - enticing me to play or read something else or check FB. Thing Two will mess with my mind - CB is amazingly self-disciplined and I am really not. Thing Three will weigh on my heart - two scriptures that direct my daily life and that leave me feeling inadequate more often than not.

Help me bring Things One, Two, and Three together and repurpose them for His purpose in my life. I'm going to use CB's daily reading plan to get back in the groove of reading to provide something for my heart to meditate on. This blog will allow me to put the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart "out there" so you can check on me to make sure that I am being consistent and faithful.

I'd love for you to join me. I'm keeping it simple - posting the readings for the day and then a thought or a question. Feel free to respond to a post and please respond when I don't.