When I did a google search for how many words are in the bible, the result that I first found was, "773,696 words in the King James Bible".
I was thinking this morning of the layers upon layers of historical information, life instruction, inspiration and revelation that I find when I read the bible. Then, I pondered how no other book of the same size, could even come close to the depth of content. I may read a given passage dozens of times and each time something new pops out. I can get different meaning as I focus on the specific words that were used or the numbers and their individual significance, (ie. a 7 always referring to completion.) I may find life applications one week that are different life applications from a different week. Could any book of any of our other favorite subjects do the same?
Anywho, just a pondering thought that I wanted to share this morning. I hope that we make time to explore this amazing book, the bible, which has the most incredible author of it all.
2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
or
2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB)
16 (A)All Scripture is [a]inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for [b]training in righteousness;
Have a blessed day!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
My Prayer
Most people who have spent prayer time with me might be aware of my silence during those gaps when it is time to pray aloud. I do not think most people understand it. I think that they see me as not bold before the Lord. However, it runs deeper than most would believe.
My life has been full. Full of fun, full of blessings, full of indifference, full of corruption and full of repentance. As I am aware of all of this, I am, also, aware of a misguided heart. My ways are not His ways. Although I am still growing in Christian maturity and succumbing to the Lord's will, I am continually learning to yield to Him. When I pray, in silence, as I do most comfortably, these are what my words sound like:
Most Gracious Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, Your Glory exceeds my greatest visions. You are the Glory in the Highest, nothing can compare. Our thoughts and hearts have been so desensitized by the corruption in this world that we can only come to you from the atoning heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We see not the magnitude of our sin. Even our Christianlike desires carry earthly motives. Please forgive us for that and help us Lord. Help us to see that Your will and Your ways are much better than our own. Help us to succumb to Your will. All the things that we pray for, we lift them up to You, and we release them to You. Thank You, God, that in Your perfect will, you will see these things to completion for Your Glory. Thank You for Jesus. Thank you for covering our sin. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
When you are aware of my silence, please know that I am praying silently. And my prayers are very similar to that which I just wrote above.
Blessings to you today and everyday. In His Love and Grace, Janine
My life has been full. Full of fun, full of blessings, full of indifference, full of corruption and full of repentance. As I am aware of all of this, I am, also, aware of a misguided heart. My ways are not His ways. Although I am still growing in Christian maturity and succumbing to the Lord's will, I am continually learning to yield to Him. When I pray, in silence, as I do most comfortably, these are what my words sound like:
Most Gracious Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, Your Glory exceeds my greatest visions. You are the Glory in the Highest, nothing can compare. Our thoughts and hearts have been so desensitized by the corruption in this world that we can only come to you from the atoning heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We see not the magnitude of our sin. Even our Christianlike desires carry earthly motives. Please forgive us for that and help us Lord. Help us to see that Your will and Your ways are much better than our own. Help us to succumb to Your will. All the things that we pray for, we lift them up to You, and we release them to You. Thank You, God, that in Your perfect will, you will see these things to completion for Your Glory. Thank You for Jesus. Thank you for covering our sin. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
When you are aware of my silence, please know that I am praying silently. And my prayers are very similar to that which I just wrote above.
Blessings to you today and everyday. In His Love and Grace, Janine
The Thirsting Soul Satisfied in God.
Psalm 63:1-5 (NASB)
The Thirsting Soul Satisfied in God.
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
4 So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.
From Dr. Charles Stanley:
The Lord has given us a variety of appetites, which are essential for our physical survival. But He has also created within our hearts a hunger that is spiritual. David was a man who recognized and felt this yearning for the Lord. Throughout the Psalms, we find him meditating, offering praise, or crying out to God. His greatest joy was to be with his heavenly Father in intimate communion.
Hungering for the Lord is a desire to know and draw closer to Him. Sadly, this yearning lies dormant in many believers' lives. They're saved but have very little desire for more. One of the problems is that our society is filled with all sorts of things that grab and hold our interest and affections. These pleasures and pursuits compete with God for our attention, claiming our time and effort.
The good news is that the longing for God can be awakened if we are willing to change our priorities and pursuits. Although cultivating a desire for the Lord takes time, the joy we'll experience is lasting—and the rewards are eternal. You'll always get more out of a relationship with God than you put in. In fact, as your hunger for Him comes to life, He will open your heart and mind to understand and desire Him even more.
When we yearn for the Lord, He will satisfy us with contentment and a sense of completeness, while awakening an even deeper longing in our soul. Unlike physical hunger, a craving for Him is filled but paradoxically leaves us hungry. The more we are satisfied in Christ, the more we want of Him.
The Thirsting Soul Satisfied in God.
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
4 So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.
From Dr. Charles Stanley:
The Lord has given us a variety of appetites, which are essential for our physical survival. But He has also created within our hearts a hunger that is spiritual. David was a man who recognized and felt this yearning for the Lord. Throughout the Psalms, we find him meditating, offering praise, or crying out to God. His greatest joy was to be with his heavenly Father in intimate communion.
Hungering for the Lord is a desire to know and draw closer to Him. Sadly, this yearning lies dormant in many believers' lives. They're saved but have very little desire for more. One of the problems is that our society is filled with all sorts of things that grab and hold our interest and affections. These pleasures and pursuits compete with God for our attention, claiming our time and effort.
The good news is that the longing for God can be awakened if we are willing to change our priorities and pursuits. Although cultivating a desire for the Lord takes time, the joy we'll experience is lasting—and the rewards are eternal. You'll always get more out of a relationship with God than you put in. In fact, as your hunger for Him comes to life, He will open your heart and mind to understand and desire Him even more.
When we yearn for the Lord, He will satisfy us with contentment and a sense of completeness, while awakening an even deeper longing in our soul. Unlike physical hunger, a craving for Him is filled but paradoxically leaves us hungry. The more we are satisfied in Christ, the more we want of Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)