Daily Journal Sept 14 2009

Daily Journal—September 14 2009

I'm sitting in our church sanctuary, which could also be a gym or any of a dozen other configurations if wanted it, and listening to the rain on the roof and the thunder rolling. God is not surprised by the rain, and in fact He is the bringer of it. Someday I hope to reach the point of trusting and finding my pleasure within God's will and glory that I don't get bothered by the weather, but instead always take pleasure in what God has done with it.

I'm not there yet, but I do like the rain.

Prayer for this week from Clement of Rome, probably the first true Pope (from a Protestant historical view. I know you Catholics think of Peter that way. Kind of like we Baptists think of John the Baptist as the first Baptist. :) ) We beg you, Master, be our help and strength. Save those among us who are oppressed, have pity on the lowly, and lift up the fallen. Heal the the sick, bring back the straying, and feed the hungry. Release those in prison, lift up those who falter, and strengthen the fainthearted. Let all nations come to know you the one God, with your Son Jesus Christ, and us your people and the sheep of your pasture. Amen.

Exodus 14:19-31 →One thing I notice all through here is that God is the driver of action in this event. Would the Israelites have gone forward without his direct order? Who makes the Egyptians chase the Hebrews? Why does the sea go back? The wheels come off? Who saved Israel? Examine the text. God is all that is necessary to the salvation of Israel at this point. I've long added the movie text to this, that the pillar of fiery cloud that separates the Hebrews and the Egyptians disappears so that Pharoah can pursue. Is that the case?

It's not. The cloud remains. No verse expresses that God removed the cloud. Why would he? The cloud is His presence! He is still right there. He still separates his people from the Egyptians, and in doing so pushes the Israelites in the way they should go. There is nothing left for them but to rejoice and praise the God of their salvation. And so should we.

Tomorrow's Psalm: Psalm 103:1-13

Proverbs 14:1 (NIV) →Foolishness destroys the things you have worked hard for, and destroys what is closest to us. And it's our own fault.

Proverbs 14:3 (NIV) →How do we use our words? And what effect do they bring to us?

Proverbs 14:4 (NIV) →How many times do we need to hit this one? God hasn't given us mangers to keep empty, but to produce fruit! Income! Changed lives! Eternal Treasure in Obedience!!!

Proverbs 14:5 (NIV) →Acts 1:8 tells us that all believers are witnesses. Which kind are you?

Proverbs 14:6 (NIV) →And this is why sometimes debating is pointless. Certain people will never understand until their hearts are different, even though it is obvious to those who serve the Lord.

Proverbs 14:7 (NIV) →Avoid wasting time with the foolish.

Proverbs 14:10 (NIV) →No, really, you don't understand. Neither the bad or the good. Trust me that I say it is bad or good, weep or rejoice with me. But I know what's there. Listen to what I'm saying.

Proverbs 14:11 (NIV) →Why does the wicked guy have a house in the first place while the upright have a tent? Guess what? The wicked may have stuff you don't have if you're upright. Rest in this verse, and realize God's economy balances over eternity!

Proverbs 14:15 (NIV) →While verses about taming the tongue should be emblazoned on every bloggers keyboard, we all need this one taped to our computer monitors. Seriously people. Just because it's easy to believe the worst about some people and movements doesn't mean we should. Check it out, and if there's nothing to truly be gained by forwarding the email, posting the link, retweeting it, sharing it on Facebook, or blogging about it, how about you just don't, okay? Wait a day to see if the President really is going declare FoxNews illegal or the FCC is going to take God off all TV. (Did you know the FCC can't do anything about Cable TV under current law? That's FTC business, and it's all about pricing, not content.) Don't trust Snopes? Neither do I. Check truthorfiction.com. Check news sites. Check your brain and see if it's on. Give thought to what you send. I don't care if it's just a forward. You put your name on it, you're responsible for the content now.

Proverbs 14:16 (NIV) →Not fears evil. Fears God, shuns evil. Get it right.

Proverbs 14:23 (NIV) →All work. Even if only the profit of wisdom or knowing not to ever do that again.

Proverbs 14:25 (NIV) →See comment above about Proverbs 14:5 and Acts 1:8.

Proverbs 14:34 (NIV) →No matter how great the nation. And notice that it's just “ sin.” It's not a specific sin. It's just sin. Greed, lust, anger, hatred, all are sin. All disgrace any nation that partakes of them.