Daily Bible Reading: Day 262 Luke 12:13-48 is just jam packed with things to take note of. I would encourage you to take a moment and read the whole thing. (Just click on the reference and the passage will pull up.) This is a glimpse of what is tugging at my heart and mind this morning.
And he (Jesus) said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” -Luke 12:15 (ESV) Jesus goes on to tell them the parable of the rich man. This is how it ends: "So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” I am busy considering a facelift for our house-painting and refinishing cabinets, that sort of thing. It seems everyday we are bombarded with ads trying to convince us that we need to "upgrade." This time of year we are even being sold the idea that we need new furniture to host our holiday gatherings. You wouldn't want to entertain people in your home with last years table or sofa! Such a throw-away, consumer society we have become. And as good citizens it is our duty to shop they tell us to keep the economy strong. Our Mini Cooper was just two years old when the dealer started to send us offers to replace it. They would buy back ours and let us drive off the lot with a brand new one, and our payments would stay the same. Forever in debt. We opted to pay it off and it is still a great little car that gets us where we need to go five years later. I am even okay with the couple of little hail dents in the roof. I have a lot of stuff, and as a quilter I am an accumulator of all kinds of gadgets and fabric that help me make better use of my quilting time and talents. There is nothing wrong with that. The question this raises for me is: do I need the Keurig when my French press makes a perfectly fine cup of coffee just because it is all the rage right now? But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. -Luke 12: 28-32 (ESV) I love that last verse-Fear not little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. I am not here to build my own little kingdom on earth. It would pale in comparison to what God has already prepared for me. In fact, it would be a miserable failure of a kingdom. Grace, Peace, and Mercy, Debra
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Daily Bible Reading: Day 261 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. -Psalm 47:1-2 (ESV) I used to sing this chorus a lot in my youth: Clap your hands all you people; shout unto God with a voice of triumph! Clap your hands all you people; shout unto God with a voice of praise! Hosanna! Hosanna! Shout unto God with a voice of triumph! Praise Him! Praise Him! Shout unto God with a voice of praise! It came immediately to mind when I read Psalm 47 this morning. This tune was written by Jimmy Owens in 1972 and is based on Psalm 47:1. I wonder if it would have made its way into several hymnals if it had contained Psalm 47:2? I cannot think of a hymn off the top of my head that praises God because He is to be feared. I hope you will share with me if you know of one, not something obscure, but one that is readily sung in our congregations. Praise God because He is to be feared. How many times I have been involved in discussions that try to sweep this idea under the rug. I have written about it before in Give Me LIfe. I don't think it means what we think it means, to quote from one of my favorite movies. I love how my various readings for the day often fit together. As if in answer to the question raised by the Psalm, "Why should I fear God?" we read these words of Jesus in Luke. "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." -Luke 12:4-7 (ESV) Clearly there is more here than a respect for God and His power. And yet, as fearful as it is to fall into God's hands, Jesus gives us such sweet comfort. For those who are saved by grace there is no fear of being cast into hell. (Another subject that we are loath to talk about today.) Grace, Peace, and Mercy, Debra |
AuthorI am a woman with a Mary heart and these are my musings as I read and study God's Word Join me on facebookArchives
October 2014
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