Erica's Bible Study and Journal

Micah 5:1-15 Summary

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:45:45 GMT

In this chapter, Micah admonishes the Jews to gather forces because their enemies would gather and lay siege to them. There would be times of calamity. However, God was still at work. Although Bethlehem was small, it was to become the birth place of the Messiah. From the time in which Micah was speaking until the time of His birth, God’s people would be given up by Him. Then the remnant would gather.

This Man (Jesus,of course)that was to come would be the source of peace between God and man, and His kingdom would be established. The eternal enemies of God would be destroyed eternally. The remnant of God’s people would again be scattered among all the nations of the world. Although scattered they would be victorious over their enemies.

God would, however, remove those things they placed their trust in. He would cut off their military might, their witchcraft, and their idolatry. Everything that stood between them and God would be removed and they would have to rely on Him. Those that refused to hear would feel the vengeance of God.

When we have hard times, we rely heavily on God. But when things are good and everything is going our way, it is very easy to revert to trusting in our own ability. We need God just as much during good times as we do during bad. We just don’t realize. He is the one who sustains all things. How dare we forget that!

As I read this, I am thankful that God has never been content to abandon us to our sinful desires. Instead He warns and calls us to repentance. I am thankful that I am no longer liable to God to pay my own debts. He had promised the Jews their Messiah, and He delivered. All He asks of us is to look to Him for everything rather than ourselves and the deceptions of this world.

If you are blessed by this study, please leave your comments.

Technorati Tags: Micah,Messiah,God,Kingdom

IceRocket Tags: Micah,Messiah,God,Kingdom

Micah 4:1-13 Summary

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:14:53 GMT

God went on to show Micah what would come to pass in the last days of life as we know it. God’s kingdom will be established for eternity. People of many nations, not just the Jews, would come to worship Him and to commune with him.

In those days, God will teach us his ways and we will obey. All war will end and men will turn there weapons into tools for harvesting. There will no longer be any cause for fear. When that time comes, all things will be set aright. The weak will cease to be weak and the outcast will be gathered in.

Micah is then brought back to the matter at hand. God had to judge His people for their sin. They were experiencing labor pains so to speak. Something was about to burst forth, but they had to endure the pain first. They would be sent to Babylon, but in time, God would deliver them from their captors. Those around them would set their sights on destroying them, but they didn’t realize God was in charge. After their captivity, God would restore them to power.

We can learn from this that God works both pleasant and unpleasant circumstances out in a way that benefits His people and fulfills His plan. He can’t be the God of love and not judge unrighteousness. But even in His judgment He has made a way for restoration and hope.

That is not to say that every bad thing that comes into our lives is a part of God’s plan. Often times we (I mean “I”) bring bad things on ourselves through our willfulness, disobedience, selfishness, and sin. No matter what the cause is, we have a loving Father that is always waiting to have us turn to Him for answers and help.

If you are blessed by this summary, please leave a comment.

IceRocket Tags: Micah,sinfulness,willfulness,God,judge,mercy

Technorati Tags: Micah,sinfulness,willfulness,God,judge,mercy

Micah 3:1-12 Summary

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:40:16 GMT

This chapter is directed towards the leaders of Israel. They held positions of great influence and, rather than practice justice and equity, they crushed their own people for their own benefit. A time was at hand where those leaders would cry out to God and He would not hear them. He would turn his face away from them and let them get what they had deserved.

The prophets led the people astray by saying everything was fine. They convinced the people that their sin was okay and no harm would come to them. They were God’s chosen people and they believed that gave them license to do anything without repercussions.

Verse 5 is especially interesting to me in this chapter. One commentary I read says that the verse is describing a situation whereby those that gave to the prophets were given favorable reports by them. On the other hand, those that didn’t give the prophet anything were seen as enemies. Verse 11 seems to support that interpretation. However, when I read it, it seemed to me that they were injuring the people by their false reports. And God, who didn’t put words in their mouths, or rather hadn’t spoken to them, was treated as their enemy. It seems that could be true as well.

At any rate, God was going to enclose those false prophets in darkness at every turn and prevent them from having any visions. They would be revealed as what they were--liars--and there would be nothing they could say to dispute God.

Micah again calls for the attention of the leaders. The judges were motivated by bribes. The teachers and prophets were also for sale. Anything that resembled justice was perverted. But God was going to show true justice by turning all they loved to rubble.

As we watch our church leaders, we should be mindful of the messages they pass on to us by word and by action. Do they lead people to Christ or to themselves? Do they get their direction from God or from those he make the largest financial contributions? Do they put God first no matter how imperfect they are or do they put the opinion of others first?

We should also look ourselves. Do we speak the truth in love or do we say what sounds good? Do we want to please God or do we want to please ourselves?

According to God there will always be those who intentionally lead people astray. He also says there will always be those who only want to hear that their sin is not sin. The only fix for this is to turn to God and His word as the source of truth. With His help, which He is always willing to give, we can rightly discern His will and govern ourselves accordingly.

If you are blessed by this summary, please leave a comment.

Technorati Tags: false prophets,injustice,retribution,Micah

IceRocket Tags: false prophets,injustice,retribution,Micah

Micah 2:1-13 Summary

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:47:48 GMT

The people of Samaria had removed God and His law from their lives. As a result, all they did was sin. They meditated on ways to do harm to others and to gain for themselves. They stole land and homes from the rightful owners through violence. As a consequence, God was devising evil against them so great they wouldn’t be able to avoid it. Those that saw it would marvel and mourn because everything they had acquired would be removed. They would be left destitute.

These people were accustomed to God’s prophets. However, they never listened and instead sought to silence them. Despite their efforts there was no way for them to limit or restrict God. And the evil that was prophesied against them was not God’s fault but was the result of their sinfulness. They were not content to take a man’s coat. They had to take the garment underneath as well. The ejected a woman, probably a widow, and her children from their home.

Since they refused to accept God’s prophets, God let them have their own prophets. These prophets professed to be led by the spirit, but were led by the wind and told them what they wanted to hear. God was going to judge them and when it was over he was going to gather the few that were left and restore His order.

If I tried to list all the similarities between this disobedient nation and our own, I wouldn’t have time to do anything else. America is full of sin and people are always finding new ways to deny God and His ways. All they want to do is gather more things for themselves and indulge their every desire.

There are pastors who preach against this just as the prophets of old did to no avail. Yet the pastors that only talk about money and how to be happy have people flocking to them. There is no sin, no accountable, and there is nothing wrong with you according to them. Which pastor do you listen to?

God IS a God of love as they profess, but He is also holy, righteous, and just. He cannot and will not allow rebellion and a willful life of sin go unpunished. That would not be justice. We all have to choose. Do we listen to God or do we listen to our own desires? Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. I encourage you to choose today!

IceRocket Tags: prophets,Micah,God,disobedient,rebellion

Technorati Tags: prophets,Micah,God,disobedient,rebellion

Micah 1:1-16 Summary

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:40:00 GMT

Micah prophesied during the same period as Isaiah and Hosea however they were each assigned to different areas of the country. Isaiah was in Jerusalem and Hosea was in Israel while Micah was in Samaria. He called the people and the earth to listen to him. He warned them that the Lord was coming out of His holy place and was going to trample on the high places of idolatrous worship. The mountains and valleys would dissolve in His presence.

Micah knew they would ask what they had done wrong. His answer was to point to Samaria and Judah. They were the two hubs of idol worship that influenced the entire nation. Because of this they would become ruined. Their idols would be beaten to bits and their offerings to the idols would be destroyed.

Because of the coming judgment, Micah told them what his reaction would be. He was going to mourn, wail, and grieve as they should do. There destruction was eminent. However, he instructs them not to let the surrounding nations see their shame. They should mourn their sin, but they shouldn’t let their enemies see. Their enemies would enjoy seeing them put to shame.

I don’t believe Micah was advocating hypocrisy by telling them to hide their shame from their neighbors. They were surrounded my hostile nations that would seize any opportunity to destroy them much like today. He was advising them not to give them such opportunity.

I think it also shows us that if we are knowingly living in sin as they were we need to grieve and mourn privately before God and seek his mercy and forgiveness. It is sometimes appropriate to confess our sin to others, for instance if we have wronged them. Otherwise we need to go to our heavenly Father because He loves us and wants to forgive us. However, it is up to us to look for that forgiveness.

If you are blessed by this study, please leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you.

Technorati Tags: Micah,sinfulness,shame,forgiveness

IceRocket Tags: Micah,sinfulness,shame,forgiveness

A Not-So-Brief Explanation

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:17:20 GMT

Most of you have noticed I posted a lot of entries last night. Well these are previous posts that I have updated. I haven’t been involved in round the clock bible study (although that probably isn’t a bad idea)! Because I used Window’s live writer to update each entry, they were published as new. I apologize for the confusion.

As regards my personal bible reading, I do hope others are inspired to read it for themselves. However, I don’t want anyone to have the idea that I am somehow super spiritual or anything like that. I simply made the commitment three or four years ago to make the reading and hopefully applying of God’s Word a part of my life.

My goal is one chapter each day. Sometimes, it gets really good and I may read two. And now I have incorporated commentaries as part of my reading. If I miss a day or two I don’t beat myself up. I just pick up where I left off. This isn’t about earning anything from God, or impressing Him. It is about a long term commitment to actively pursue Him through His Word even if I occasionally miss a day in the short term.

For those of you that think this is a hard thing to do, you are absolutely correct. Like any spiritual discipline (prayer, fasting, etc.) the flesh does not want to do it, and you never will if you wait until you feel like it. Combine that with the fact that we have so many other things that make demands on our time as well as other things we would rather be doing and reading the Bible tends to fall to the wayside.

Here are my suggestions to those that want to spend time reading the Word on a regular basis. DO IT! For me that means getting up early enough to have some uninterrupted time. For you it may be the middle of the day, just before bed, or whenever a free moment presents itself. Make the decision and do it! My other suggests are as follows:

1. Most people should avoid “read the bible in a year” plans. It is completely worthless to speed read the bible. These plans require a big chunk of time you don’t have each day. They also emphasize speed rather than study. The point of reading the Bible is to understand it and grow from it, not to get through it quickly. As I’ve said, I have been reading for close to four years and I have just finished my second trip through the bible. I've taken my time and paid attention without worrying about a deadline.

2. Don’t pressure yourself to spend a certain amount of time each day in study. If you say you are going to read for one hour and your attention span isn’t that long, then ultimately you are only reading for that time to say you spent an hour reading.

3. Only read as long as you can focus on it. The passage you are reading should be the focal point. If your mind is on what you have do next, or what is for dinner you’ve been reading too long.

4. Try to read the same time and in the same place each day. If you can commit to doing this for a few weeks you will find you have formed a habit. It will no longer be an inconvenience because it has become part of your daily schedule.

5. Take advantage of all the available resources. With today’s technology, you can read the bible anytime and anywhere without ever opening the book. Here are two of my favorite tools:

a. www.e-sword.net – This site has a tool you can download to your computer or pocket PC. You can then download various translations, commentaries, and dictionaries. This is my favorite and it is free. The creator of this tool does accept donations so if you can help him please do.

b.http://www.eachnewday.com/HowToStudyTheBible/ – This site offers various bible study methods (verse by verse, topical, etc.) as well as free forms to take notes. Taking notes helps you to rehearse what you have learned, create focus, and also create a point of reference. This is what I do with my summaries. I can look at my notes from three years ago and see how my understanding has deepened. That encourages me to keep reading.

6. Spend a few minutes before you start in prayer. You are about to read God’s Word so you want Him to meet you there. Thank him for all He’s done. Repent for any unresolved sin. Give Him your burdens. And most important to this particular time, ask Him to give you a proper understanding of His Word and and the strength to obey Him. The whole point of taking this time is to hear from Him and allow Him to work in your life, not to put another star next to your name.

Bible study is not something that only God’s holiest can do. We all need it regardless of our failings and shortcomings. It will help us recognize truth and lies. We get to learn about our Heavenly Father. We find out what His will is. And in times of trouble, we will have embedded in our hearts and minds the promises of our God to help us get through.

Do you want to break free? Do you want to grow spiritually? Do you want a closer walk with the Lord? Do you want to live a life that pleases Him? Well reading His Word is the place to start! If you have been blessed by this study, please take a moment to leave your comments.

IceRocket Tags: Bible Study,how to study the bible,notes,prayer,commitment

Technorati Tags: Bible Study,how to study the bible,notes,prayer,commitment

Jonah 4:1-11 Summary

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 14:38:00 GMT

In the previous chapter, Jonah finally obeyed God and warned the people in Nineveh that they were going to be judged for their violence. Everyone listened to Jonah and they all repented. The chapter begins with Jonah being so angry with God for forgiving them that he wished he were dead! Here is a man that hears from God almighty and he has the nerve to chastise God for being gracious and merciful. He even said he disobeyed God because he knew He would forgive them and he didn’t want that.

God asked him if he felt justified in his anger and with that Jonah left the city and made himself a tent so he could watch the city from a distance. God caused a gourd to grow up over Jonah to shelter him and to relieve some of his grief. Jonah was happy about that. The next morning God caused a worm to injure the gourd, which caused it to wither. God then used the elements to make Jonah uncomfortable. Jonah was again so miserable that he wanted to die again.

God did all this to point out to Jonah that his priorities were wrong. Jonah cared more for that gourd than he did for the thousands of people that God spared. Jonah played no part in the creation of the gourd yet he was upset that it died. The people of Nineveh were far more valuable to God than the gourd.

If you are blessed by this summary, please leave a comment.

Technorati Tags: Jonah,God,Ninevah,anger,Mercy,repentance

IceRocket Tags: Jonah,God,Ninevah,anger,Mercy,repentance

Jonah 2:1-3:1-10 Summary

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:03:07 GMT

In chapter two, we get just a glimpse of what it was like being in the belly of the fish. He was constantly beaten by waves in the fish’s belly. I’m sure the water was cold, dirty, and smelly. He probably struggled to keep his head above the water and weeds and debris had wrapped around his head. For three days he was submerged in water so his skin had to have turned gray and wrinkled. He felt every movement of the fish. He felt the changes in air pressure depending on the depth of the fish. He had no concept of time or space because there was no sun and no light in the fish. This was not a quiet respite. This was tortuous.

Every time he thought he was going to die, he remembered God and he was sustained in his prayers. He knew God had orchestrated this situation and God heard his cries for help. As he gave the sacrifice of thanksgiving (called a sacrifice, probably, because there didn’t seem to be much to be thankful for after 3 days and nights in a fish’s belly), God spoke to the fish and the fish vomited Jonah onto the shore.

Now Jonah is ready to obey God. God told him to go to Nineveh and say what he was told. Nineveh was a city that took 3 days to cross. It was huge. Jonah went into the city less than half way and told them that in 40 days God was going to overthrow them. That’s all! And they believed. How easy was that? God had sent prophets to Israel for YEARS, and they wouldn’t listen. Now here comes Jonah to Nineveh after being in the belly of a fish for 3 days, looking like something the fish threw up, and they believed him. The king even removed his robes in morning. He commanded that every person and animal was to fast and mourn before God and repent for their violence. And God seeing this spared them.

If you are blessed by this summary, please leave a comment.

IceRocket Tags: Jonah,fish,belly,mercy,God,salvation

Technorati Tags: Jonah,fish,belly,mercy,God,salvation

Jonah 1:1-17 Summary

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:52:35 GMT

Everyone is at least familiar with the story of Jonah. Immediately, a man in the belly of a whale comes to mind. However, there is a lot more than that going on here. Jonah, it appears, was accustomed to hearing from God. When God told him to go to Nineveh and decry their wickedness, Jonah wasn’t shocked that God spoke. Rather he didn’t want to do what God told him to. He decided to outrun and hide from God so he boarded a ship going to Tarshish, which I imagine was in the opposite direction of Nineveh.

It sounds funny to read that this man who knew all-knowing, all-powerful God thought he could hide. But if we examine our own hearts, how often do we do what we know we shouldn’t and hope that God isn’t watching. If I started to list the times I tried to hide from God, I’d have to start a separate blog just to write it all.

After the ship to Tarshish set sail, a storm erupted with such force that it almost shattered the ship to pieces. All the sailors prayed to their gods and started throwing the cargo into the sea in an attempt to make the ship lighter. While all this was going on, Jonah was asleep. I don’t think he would have slept but for the fact he knew what was going on. He knew, I think, that God was at work.

The shipmaster woke Jonah up and instructed him to pray to his God to spare them. They decided to cast lots (I’m not sure how that worked) to determine who was the cause of this storm. It must have seemed supernatural in every way for them to think a person was to blame. I imagine they left shore, and there was no sign of rough weather, when suddenly there was a storm. The lot indicated that Jonah was the cause.

They immediately began to question Jonah. They wanted to know who he was, why this thing was happening, and what to do to stop it. Jonah told them that the storm would stop if they threw him overboard. That must have been a very difficult suggestion to make. He hadn’t read the next chapters so he didn’t know that God had already prepared the way to save him. It is possible that Jonah would rather die than go to Ninevah. The men prayed to God and asked Him not to hold them responsible for what they were about to do and threw Jonah into the water. The sea immediately calmed down and all those on the ship feared God. God had found a way to use Jonah’s stubbornness to make believers out of these idolaters.

The last verse of this chapter says that God prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah to preserve his life. He spent 3 days and 3 nights inside this smelly, disgusting fish. It was dark, and wet, and utterly retched. And it could have been avoided if Jonah had obeyed God in the beginning. It is amazing the situations we can find ourselves in when we are disobedient!

If you are blessed by this summary, please leave a comment.

Technorati Tags: obedient,disobedient,stubborness,Jonah

IceRocket Tags: obedient,disobedient,stubborness,Jonah

Obadiah 1:1-21 Summary

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:00:33 GMT

Obadiah is prophesying against the Edomites. They were descendents of Abraham but they came from the familial line of Esau rather than Jacob. Their pride had deceived them into believing that they were untouchable by God or man. God tells them that even if they built their home in the stars, He would still bring them down. When thieves stole, they only took what was valuable or what they could carry. Something was left behind. And when grapes are gathered, there are still some grapes left on the vine. But God was going to ruin them completely. Nothing of their former glory would be left.

All the men the Edomites had aligned themselves with were going to turn against them. They pretended to be their allies but they were setting them up for destruction. Those that thought they were wise would soon find out they knew nothing. They would be shamed and destroyed because their pride led them to believe it was ok to turn against their bothers, Israel.

When Israel was being subdued and judged by God, the Edomites took advantage of them. They were happy to see them destroyed and actually helped as much as they could. They looted the cities. They prevented them from escaping by blocking any routes that the other nations had missed. Those that managed to get away, the Edomites captured and gave to the enemy. Everything they had done against God’s people would be repaid to them. When Israel was restored they would be like fire and the Edomites would be like kindling. Israel would consume them and retake everything they had lost.

If you are blessed by this summary, please leave a comment.

IceRocket Tags: Israel,Edomites,Abraham,vindication

Technorati Tags: Israel,Edomites,Abraham,vindication

Amos 9:1-15 Summary

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:32:16 GMT

In this final chapter of Amos, God continues judging Israel. From the previous chapter we know that once the judgment begins, the people run to their idols for help. We find God here standing on the altar and directing their destruction. There is nowhere for them to hide. Wherever they ran to He would be there. His eyes that once looked lovingly at them now looked at them to destroy them.

A person who has not read the bible before but has heard of the judgment of God is usually apt to conclude that the God of the bible is heartless, cruel, and bloodthirsty. There are even some who have read it that take that stance. Both groups fail to see that God had a plan for man when he created him. From the time man was given a choice he chose sin over God.

Some may ask why it is sinful for us to want our own way. Why would God want to tell us what to do? Well our way runs counter to God’s way. He created us and he knows what is best for us. Everything God instructs is for our good not our harm. Just like a parent warns their child not to touch a hot surface, or not to walk on broken glass, God tells us what to avoid so we do not hurt ourselves. Think how often people hurt themselves through illicit sex, love of money, love of alcohol and drugs. They don’t do these things thinking they want to destroy themselves, but ultimately they do.

Now if God tells us to obey Him and that so doing will result in our betterment, then it stands to reason that disobeying would lead to our harm. What kind of God would He be to let us run amuck without consequence? I don’t want an unrepentant murderer to receive the same reward I get for trying to obey God. There is no justice in that. And God is justice. He has to judge sin or He is nothing He says He is. And even though He has to judge, He is always patient and merciful. If He judged at the instance of offence, we’d all be toast. If you were God how many people would you wipe out in a day? Instead He warns us, nudges us, and gives opportunity after opportunity to us. Just like he did with Israel. He gave them prophet after prophet and warning after warning and they would have none of it.

So, here Israel is appointed to annihilation. However, not everyone would die. God would still preserve His people. All those that sinned and thought nothing would happen to them would die. A day would come where His people would be restored to their land and they would be fruitful. They would rebuild the city and they would plant the crops faster than they could gather the harvest. God would establish them and they would never be removed from their land again.

For hundreds of years there was no Israel. But they are a growing nation even at this moment. God’s word spoken thousands of years ago is being fulfilled.

If you are blessed by this summary, please leave a comment.

Technorati Tags: judgment,mercy,reward,justice,opportunity,obey,disobey

IceRocket Tags: judgment,mercy,reward,justice,opportunity,obey,disobey

Amos 8:1-14 Summary

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:26:45 GMT

In the previous chapter, Amaziah the priest interrupted Amos. His visions continue here. God showed Amos a basket of summer fruits and asked him what he saw. Amos remarked that it was indeed a basket of summer fruits. God then said the time of judgment was upon Israel and the time of mercy was over. The fruits are compared to Israel because just as summer fruits were ripe and ready for picking, so were the people of Israel ripe for judgment.

The songs they sang would turn to howling in grief and suffering. Dead bodies would become so common that they would eventually discard them in silence. Judgment was coming to those that had continually cheated the poor out of everything they had. They had made human life a commodity that they bartered to fulfill their own greed and lusts. God swore that he would never forget what they had done.

Those days of judgment would be supernaturally dark days. All their celebrations would be mourning, their songs would be lamentations, and all their rich clothing would become sackcloth. Their heads would be made bald in their mourning, which would be mourning as a family grieving an only son. For them an only son was the future of the entire family. He was their heir and carried their name on. To lose him was death for them all.

Worse than this, God was going to send a spiritual famine. There would be no one to speak for God and the people would be longing for it without any satisfaction. They would look everywhere for some sign of God and His truth and there would be nothing.

If you are blessed by this summary, please leave a comment.

IceRocket Tags: greed,lust,grief,suffering,judgment,famine

Technorati Tags: greed,lust,grief,suffering,judgment,famine

Update

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:21:20 GMT

I would like to thank all my friends for your kind words, encouragement, and prayer. My husband is still in pain (sciatica) but he was able to return to work today. As always, God heard the cries of His people!

Technorati Tags: thanks,friends,people,God hears

IceRocket Tags: thanks,friends,people,God hears

Amos 7:1- 17 Summary

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:13:26 GMT

God showed Amos that the grasshopper (or more correctly locust) was going to eat the fruit of the land. At seeing this Amos interceded asking God to forgive and God relented (demonstrating the effectiveness of praying for others). Next, God showed Amos a fire that dried up the land. Again Amos interceded and God relented.

Finally, Amos sees God standing on a wall with a plumb line, which is used to make sure a wall is straight and built exactly. The wall He is standing on was built accurately with a plumb line. Now God with His plumb line is going to measure out judgment. His judgment would be accurate and fitting. He was not going to pass over them anymore. He would judge them head on. Their idolatrous temples would be destroyed and the household of the king would die by the sword.

Amaziah, the priest, went to the king and told him that Amos was against him and that the land couldn’t withstand his words. Amaziah told the king that Amos was testifying against him and all of Israel. Amaziah then went to Amos and told him to run away and to stop prophesying in Bethel where they presently were. Amos answered that he was a herdsman minding his business when God told him to go prophesy to Israel. He chose to obey God. Because Amaziah wanted to stop God’s will his wife would become a whore and his children would die. When Amaziah died the land would be polluted and Israel would be in captivity.

That may seem a harsh judgment against Amaziah but he was a priest. His job was to lead the people to God. Instead he was idolatrous and worked against God even to trying to stop God from carrying out his plan.

If you are blessed by this summary, please leave a comment.

IceRocket Tags: idolatry,God,prayer,intercession,polluted

Technorati Tags: idolatry,God,prayer,intercession,polluted

Amos 6:1-14 Summary

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:18:59 GMT

The people of Israel felt secure in their positions because they lived in luxury and were able to fulfill all their desires. They were not discouraged by the ruin of nations around them. God had judged surrounding nations at various times for their sin and idolatry, yet the people of Israel felt they were immune to that. They supposed that judgment was some far off thing that would not touch them.

They enjoyed all the sensual pleasures they could. They had beds of ivory, ate the best food, enjoyed the best music. They drank wine from bowls rather than cups. They had the best ointments to anoint themselves. They enjoyed all this and none of them were grieved by the sinful state they were in. So God swore by Himself (because there was nothing greater to swear by) that this could not go on.

God had personally cared for them and provided for them so they would be His people. Not so they could be like everybody else. They would be taken captive and their great feasts would come to an end. None would be spared. God’s word can only be fulfilled. If He says something it has to come to fruition. Israel had destroyed justice and was proud of all they acquired. But God was going to raise up a nation against them and they would have no where to hide.

I usually don’t add my personal commentary to my chapter summaries, but I couldn’t help being struck by how familiar this all sounds. This is the world today! Not just America although she is definitely included. We are all EXTREMELY self-satisfied and self-indulgent.

I don’t know what is going to happen in this country or in this world (other than what is revealed in the Bible). That is to say I don’t know what each day holds. However, as I read the book of Revelations I notice something very striking. There is no mention of this country in end time events. Now how could the country that is at this time the greatest nation be absent from the cataclysmic end of days unless something happens to lessen our hold? Hmm.

Please don’t think that I am trying to spread gloom and doom. God has already decided what will happen. I rejoice in this! I know that as bad as things are and as bad as they will become, I have hope. I have the promises of God and if you don’t have that assurance, I encourage you not to waste anymore time. God doesn’t judge people because He enjoys it and He doesn’t send people to hell. He judges people because He is holy and He cannot accept sin. He is a God of justice. And people send themselves to hell when they make the determined decision to reject God. He has provide an alternative to hell and if you refuse it that is your choice, not His.

If you are blessed by this summary, please leave a comment.

Technorati Tags: sinfulness,God's Love,hope,rejection,acceptance,alternative

IceRocket Tags: sinfulness,God's Love,hope,rejection,acceptance,alternative

Something to Think About

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:35:11 GMT

Pardon me as I stray from my usual blogging fare. I realize this particular piece may be the type of thing you’d expect from Politically Incorrect. However, I was struck by the irony of this story.

What does it mean in the grand scheme of things when a man who has made a career in oil says the U.S. should lessen its dependency on it? I have no clue what his personal agenda is. However, if a multibillionaire who has made a great deal of money from oil says something should be done, maybe something should be done.

I have taken the liberty of shortening the article below, but you can read the full story by clicking the link below. Also those of you that receive those emails saying that we can effect oil prices by boycotting certain oil companies, please note the highlighted portion. Prices are based on supply and demand. Because we can’t get enough of this stuff, the price goes up. Sorry to disappoint you.

Legendary oilman Pickens promotes revamping U.S. power policy | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Business News

T. Boone Pickens has a plan to solve the country's $700 billion-a-year dependence on foreign oil.

Replace gasoline with natural gas. Replace natural gas-fired power plants with wind, solar, nuclear and clean coal. Basically, replace foreign oil with domestic fuel without straining those resources."We've gotten ourselves in a trap," Mr. Pickens said last week in an interview in his Dallas office. "The problem is, we said, 'Send us the oil, and never mind the cost.' "

"Things were fine until the price went vertical on us," said Mr. Pickens, who calculates that, at $140 a barrel for crude, Americans spend $700 billion a year on 5 billion barrels of oil from foreign countries. That amounted to about 65 percent of total U.S. supply last year.

Mr. Pickens will kick off a media campaign today to promote his energy policy ideas – which align perfectly with his business investments. He'll spend tens of millions of dollars on television and Web advertising and will make talk show appearances along the way.

He aims to make energy a central issue in the presidential election. He'll challenge the candidates to go beyond pandering on gasoline prices to create real energy plans.

"I feel like I'm going into a huge arena and tapping on the glass and asking people to listen," said the 80-year-old multibillionaire.

Would the Pickens plan work?

Some of the smartest energy analysts in the country say the U.S. cannot stop importing fuel.

Besides, cutting oil imports wouldn't necessarily reduce the price of oil, if Americans just replace it with domestic oil. Nor would switching to natural gas reduce our dependence on foreign fuel if the U.S. begins importing more liquefied natural gas.

Still, shifting to natural gas vehicles could cut transportation costs because natural gas costs less per British thermal unit than oil does. And moving to more renewable energy and nuclear power could reduce electricity prices and cut pollution. High natural gas markets have boosted power prices, particularly in Texas.

Of course, there are hurdles, Mr. Bullock said. They include building the infrastructure to dispense natural gas as a vehicle fuel, building new power plants to replace natural gas-fired plants, overcoming possible opposition from oil companies and politicians.

Mr. Pickens agreed that the shift to natural gas and renewable power will take time. He isn't trying to address current prices at the pump; Americans will have to find ways to live with expensive gasoline, he said.

And he acknowledges that building natural gas pipelines to every service station, erecting more wind turbines, and stringing the transmission lines to service them, would cost billions of dollars.

But with the U.S. spending $700 billion a year on foreign oil, investing several billion in wind turbines and new transmission lines would be an attractive trade-off, he says.

The legendary oilman, hedge fund manager and philanthropist is worried that U.S. oil consumption tends to support unfriendly Middle Eastern countries. He sounds mistrustful of members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

IceRocket Tags: oil,pickens,natural gas

Technorati Tags: oil,pickens,natural gas

What a Night!

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:14:43 GMT

It is 4:46 am and I have just gotten home 20 minutes ago. As I was getting ready for bed (around 11 pm) my husband fell down the stairs. This is just one of many instances where he has done himself harm by way of accident, but that didn’t make this latest trip to the emergency room any easier.

Other than severe pain, he is fine. That is to say nothing is broken which was my first fear. However they believe he has caused a disc in his spine to put pressure on the sciatic nerve which is causing him EXTREME pain in his lower back and down his right leg. We have to follow up with our doctor tomorrow. I am very worried about him and anxious to see him recover. I am also worried about the expense.

He has health insurance but the deductible is $10,000 (can you believe that)! The company he works for will pay half of whatever this emergency room visit costs, but now we have to get 4 prescriptions filled, follow up with our primary provider, and who knows what else in the course of his treatment.

As if that isn’t enough, I have been an at home wife for the past few months. Although God has met all our needs while we try to get our business off the ground and enabled us to meet the needs of others, we were barely getting by. Now this! I’m confident that God is still in control therefore I believe He has a plan in all this. Of course, I wish I knew what it was.

I am telling you all this for two reasons. The first is that I am a little wired right now and I am trying to unburden myself. I tell you guys almost everything! The second is that I desperately need your prayers. My husband needs prayer for reasons that should be obvious. I need prayer to help me follow God closely during these trials. I am firm in my belief that He will never leave me nor forsake me, but I also know the flesh is weak and can sometimes succumb to the lies of our enemy that seeks to separate us from God.

More than anything I want God’s will in my life even if it hurts for a while. Please pray as the Lord leads you to. And I will continue to keep you, my friends, in prayer.

Technorati Tags: pain,emergency,pray,sciatic,healing,provision

IceRocket Tags: pain,emergency,pray,sciatic,healing,provision

Independence Day Extravaganza

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:08:45 GMT

Well, maybe extravaganza is an exaggeration, but a good time was had by all. We invited our friends the Fires to come over and watch the fireworks with us. We live within walking distance of the sound (a small body of water between our island and the other islands) and every year we sit in our yard and watch the fireworks. They came over during the middle of the day because we were planning to throw some burgers and hot dogs on the grill. Thanks to them, burgers and dogs became burgers, dogs, chicken, potato salad, baked beans, chips, and dip. Nick made the potato salad, beans, and dip. He’s an awesome cook!

We all sat around laughing and enjoying the beautiful weather. The temperature was in the 80s but the breeze was so cool it felt like the 70s. The wind was just strong enough to keep the bugs away which is always nice. We spent about 5 hours eating, drinking, and being merry. The goofiness was infectious.

Around 8:30 the tourists and less fortunate locals started moving in. Every year swarms of people come walking, riding bikes, and driving cars to enjoy what we can sit in our yard and enjoy. I love it! The only disadvantage is the rudeness of the outsiders. They park in your yard ON THE GRASS! They block your driveway! And even when they see you sitting there, they don’t even bother to ask if it is okay. Fortunately we have a fence in front of the house and we always park a vehicle in the driveway. The picture on the right shows the first wave of people. They were on the verge of all types of collisions racing for spaces and the poor people that were walking had no idea of the danger they were in.

Despite all that mayhem I think this was the best July 4th we’ve had in a long time. We all have a lot to be thankful for. And one of them is the hard won freedom to sit in our yard with my friends and family in peace without worrying about the things that so many others around the world have to live with everyday. God bless America!

IceRocket Tags: July 4th,cookout,freedoms,fireworks,friends,family

Technorati Tags: July 4th,cookout,freedoms,fireworks,friends,family

Happy Independence Day!

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:59:07 GMT

Another Glorious Day

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:32:47 GMT

Today Hoobah (my husband), Aaliyah (my cousin/goddaughter), and I spent the day at the beach. We had a wonderful time! We woke up early and packed towels, sandwiches, drinks, etc. and headed out. We are fortunate to only be 5 minutes from the ocean. It wouldn’t even take that long if we didn’t have to worry about traffic lights.

Everywhere you looked there were people. From one end of the horizon to the next. Living in a resort area means you don't need a calendar to know when the holiday's are. All you have to do is notice the volume of traffic, the lines in the stores, and the number of people on the beach to know. There must have been a bajillion people on the beach today. Despite that we were able to enjoy ourselves.

Now I can appreciate tourists because without them our local economy would be nonexistent. BUT I would like them a whole lot more if they would bring their brains with them when they cross the bridge onto our islands.

For instance, when is it a good idea to let your toddler wander 100 feet away to play in an ocean while you face the opposite direction? When you're on vacation! When is it appropriate to expect someone to come fix your air conditioner the moment it stops cooling properly even though that is NOT how it works at your home? When you're on vacation! When is it appropriate to abandon every appearance of common courtesy and dignity for the sake of your own pleasure thereby teaching your children to do the same? When you are on vacation! But I digress.

Aaliyah and I can’t swim, but we had fun wading in the ocean sometimes up to our chests. Hoobah on the other hand should have been born a fish. We had lots of sun and fun but there is one thing I missed. I wanted to get pictures of the pelicans skimming the surface of the water, but they all refused to cooperate. They knew when the camera was put away and they would pop out of the ocean and drift over the waves just a few feet away. That’s not exactly how it happened, but that’s what it seemed like. I could look into the distance to the north and south of us and see nothing. But the moment I turned away, there they were soaring just above the waves. I'd swear it was some sort of pelican conspiracy.

After we were as covered in sand and salt as we could stand to be (approximately 4 hours later), we made our way home where we showered and relaxed for the rest of the evening. Aaliyah, poor thing slept for probably 2 hours. How someone so young can sleep so much is a mystery. If we didn't drag her out of bed, she'd just stay there until hunger overtook her.

We had an awesome time today and we hope to do so again tomorrow (although not at the beach). I wish all my American citizens a Happy Independence day and I ask you not to do anything stupid. If you're not sure what constitutes stupid, send me an email. I'd be happy to fill you in.

Technorati Tags: ocean,beach,independence day,tourist,sun,fun

IceRocket Tags: ocean,beach,independence day,tourist,sun,fun

Photo Album: Visit from my in-laws

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:15:27 GMT

Visit from my in-laws

Donna and Shayna

Jordan and Shayna

Jordan, Me, Shayna, Donna

Me, Donna, Shayna

The Ladies

Some more Shane

Shayna and Hoobah

Scary Donna

Mommy and Daughter

Retard

More Photos...

Photo Album: Another Day at the beach

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:38:53 GMT

Another Day at the beach

Miles of people

More people

And more people

Hoobah and Aaliyah braving the waves

Liyah's ocean dance

Run Liyah

Liyah and Hoobah

Hoobah kicking sand

Ocean

kayakers

More Photos...

Photo Album: Blog Images

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:08:40 GMT

Blog Images

More Photos...

Photo Album: Independence Day Cookout

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:07:31 GMT

Independence Day Cookout

Good Eats

Good Times

The Fires

Nick and Mel

Nick-o-las

AJ on a mission

Our Crew

Happy AJ

Sasha Cakes and Baby Cakes

Earl and Birdie (Our neighbors)

More Photos...