In the message you’ll listen to this week by Tim Keller on John 6, when Jesus feeds the multitudes and claims, “I am the bread of life,” Keller commented that if the purpose of the miracles was to dazzle and convince us of His Deity, he could think of better ways Jesus could have done that. “He could have flown to Rome. He could have touched down and zapped the gladiators and the lions.”
BUT JESUS DIDN’T COME TO DAZZLE
US WITH HIS SUPER-POWERS
OR TO BE A STAR
Keller says that miracles are not meant primarily to convince people of the Deity of Christ because people will always find a way to explain it in some natural way. No doubt you have seen many of the explanations given for the biblical miracles. Some explanations may be plausible, for God may choose to work with the natural forces He created. Though every time I hear one of these explanations, I also know that the world is eager to have another explanation than God intervening. You may have seen, for example, this report:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt-9ihZsV2Y
When my husband was dying of cancer, I had some tell me that if God healed him, that it would be a great sign and many would put their faith in Christ. I wasn’t so sure. For I have seen how people so often explain things away so that they do not have to believe. Sometimes their explanations are pretty far-fetched!
When I lived in Nebraska I was part of the leadership team of “Sonrise Bible Studies.” (Kim and Joyce are involved in that ministry.) In the beginning years, we had so many unbelievers coming, and we wanted them to keep coming, so we had some guidelines to keep them from being discouraged.
One was that if a new member said something nearing on blasphemy, that instead of the main leader correcting her, she should wait for someone in the group to do it, or she should gently lead back to Scripture, or, as a last resort, signal her co-leader for help. Our philosophy, which is also that of Alpha’s (a tremendously successful evangelistic curriculum which God has indeed quickened) is that the unbeliever who is not humiliated is more likely to keep coming and come to faith)
One week we were studying the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand from one little boy’s lunch, and one of the members said, “Do you know what the real miracle was?”
I wasn’t sure what was coming, but it was worse than I could have imagined. She said, “The real miracle was hospitality. Our minister explained that everyone had bread and fish under their robes, and brought it out when it was needed.”
There was silence — and some were nodding in agreement! I tried Plan A. “What does someone else think?” Silence. Trying not to panic, I went for Plan B. “Let’s look at the passage again and see if we can find support for that.” Again, silence. Finally, Plan C. I said to my co-leader and dear friend Shell — “Shell — what do you think?” Shell was so stunned she couldn’t speak. I can still picture her, frozen in her chair. (I don’t even remember how we got out of it — but I’ll never forget how astonished I was that this was taught from a pulpit in town. But I know now it is a common explanation in many churches for that miracle.)
Do you remember the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16? The rich man did not believe in God and had neglected the beggar Lazarus at his door. Both died, and Lazarus was carried by an angel to Abraham’s side, but the rich man was in torment in Hades.
The rich man pleaded with Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his five brothers that hell was true. Abraham said, “They have Moses and the Prophets, let them hear them.”
The rich man said, “No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.”
Abraham said, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced is someone should rise from the dead.”
And we know that is true, for Jesus rose from the dead, and yet there is unbelief everywhere.
Miracles seldom change hard hearts. That doesn’t mean they can’t or don’t or that they have ceased. (Please don’t think I am saying that!) So if the miracles of Christ were not so much to convince people of His Deity, then what was the primary purpose of His miracles?
Every miracle Jesus did was to restore the world to the way it was meant to be. There was not meant to be sickness, hunger, hurricanes, and death. These are all part of the fall. But every miracle, and this is what I want you to ponder, also teaches us something about Jesus and our relationship with Him.
So when He fed the multitudes and then followed it up with His claim: I AM the Bread of Life, what was He teaching us?
This is what we will consider this week — and I am eager, during the Bible study section, to share a way the Lord spoke to me as I studied this passage this week, for it is truly helping me and I believe it may help you too.
Sunday/Monday: Icebreaker
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
2. Report on your last week’s Lenten discipline. Will you continue with the same or do a new discipline this week?
Monday-Wednesday: Bible Study
I’d been pondering the words of Jesus that follow this miracle: “Don’t labor for the bread that spoils, but labor for the bread that endures.” (John 6:27) This is what He was teaching through this miracle, so I wanted to understand it!
I know that it is easy to put so much time and money into things that will pass away, and very little into those things that will not. I know this is the heart of what Jesus was showing, saying, and wanting us to understand.
But the Lord took me deeper when I had dinner this week with dear friends, Ed and Cynthia Longabaugh. We were talking, as we have been so much this year, about idols of the heart. Ed said something which caused me to pause, which gave me a slight tremor of “The Mysterium Tremendum.”(If you have just joined us for Lent, some of this may be hard to understand — but do the best you can and don’t worry if you don’t get it now.)
He said, “Idols always demand a propitiation.”
“What do you mean?”
In the Old Testament, the pagans and the Israelites would sacrifice to other gods to appease them. Those gods demanded a sacrifice — sometimes even a human sacrifice.”
I thought about that — how sometimes they would even put their children on the fire to Molech.
“And would you say that our heart idols also demand a sacrifice?”
“Yes. For example, a woman might desperately want the approval of her mother, and live her whole life trying to get it. She sacrifices years, peace, contentment…”
I drove home that night pondering. I came home, curled up in my chair, and turned to a passage the Lord brought to mind. It’s from Jeremiah and he is telling them that their lives have been wasted because of their idol worship:
…the shameful thing has devoured all for which our fathers labored, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters… Jeremiah 3:24)
I had sobering thoughts — of how my idols have demanded a sacrifice — from me and from my family. I have regrets — about not being more diligent in training my children when they were young, about not being more diligent with my health (I have to battle reflux from poor eating habits and watch carefully for skin cancer because of years of working to get tan), about not being with my husband as much as I could have his last year. I have confessed and the Lord has forgiven me for all this — but my idols of comfort, security, and approval all extracted a sacrifice while I was serving them. If my eyes had only been on Jesus, and the bread that endures, I would not have these regrets. I and my family would have been spared the sacrifice that was demanded.
But I also thought — I don’t want to sacrifice anything else to idols. Help me, O Lord, to turn from them and to You.
3. Comment on the above.
4. Read John 6:1-15 and describe the miracle. If a verse quickens you, slow down and tell us what you see.
(We studied John 6:16-21 two weeks ago on the post called: Life is a Sea Voyage)
5. Read John 6:22-35
A. According to John 6:26, why did Jesus say they were seeking Him?
B. This should always cause us to ponder — do we find Him useful or beautiful? How are you doing in this area?
C. What does he tell them in verse 27, and what does this mean?
D. Keller says that in verses 30-31, they are asking Jesus to do the miracle again! Do you agree?
E. What does He repeat to them in another way in verses 32-35?
F. What stood out to you from this passage and why?
Thursday-Friday: Listen to this Keller message (It’s $2.50): Link
6. What did you learn from his first point “Bread for the Mind?” (This is his longest point — he contrasts watertight case with watertight Person)
7. What did you learn about “Bread for the Body?” (This was brief, and you might miss it — but he talks about how hunger is not God’s plan — and how this miracle not only shows that, but how we are to be a part of alleviating the physical hunger of others.)
8. What did you learn about “Bread for the Heart?”
Saturday:
9. What is your take-a-way this week?
396 comments
Good morning, sisters. I want to thank you for your prayers for my sister Bonnie and for your prayers for the event in Dalton.
I don’t know more about Bonnie but a couple of praise reports:
Had dinner with “our” Angela who is lovely — such a heart of compassion. She and her good husband have really taken on a challenge with being permanent foster parents to this very neglected little boy, Dakota. Angela is a gentle servant spirit — was even packing up boxes at the end of the retreat.
I loved the women of Dalton — found out one group of 40 is doing the Lenten blog together and reading silently.
I felt quickened in the first two talks and not so much in the third — so must ponder that. But am thankful for the response of the women.
Had an “I Spy” in Atlanta. My 2nd leg was delayed twice and I was at the Delta counter with two other women trying to decide what to do, after waiting four hours. One of the women turned to me and said, “We should not wait any longer” (even though the agent assured us the plane really was going to leave at 4) and so I went with her in a rental car and she dropped me at the McDonalds in Dalton and would take no money from me. On the way I found out she was a Christian and was hearing from the Lord. That plane was delayed 7 more hours and then cancelled. Thank you, Lord.
Looking forward to a great week with you!
Wonderful provision from the Lord, Dee! He was there in the middle of frustration and confusion. That is so encouraging. I am glad for the time you were able to spend with Angela. I know she is encouraged and refreshed.
It does make sense to me that we are not always delivered from reaping what we have sown. He is with us through these things and He uses them to grow us but never for punishment. I find in myself the tendency to get excited about a truth and to forget to put it in context.
That’s good, Anne.
As you would say, “It is stunning that we are never punished anymore!” Wouldn’t you? 🙂
Oh yes!
“…On the way I found out she was a Christian and was hearing from the Lord.”
So beautiful, dear! my prayers with you. love, Polly
I would like to do #2 first because it is on my mind. A lot of my putting off has had to do with food and I think I may be able to receive permanent changes in this area of my life. I truly love to eat. It is equal to great art in my opinion. I pray that I can express myself clearly in this.
It started with the putting off of wine with meals, which I think is very conducive to the enjoyment of the taste of food if properly paired (food snob hanging out, sorry). A few weeks later I found in myself the desire to drastically change my diet. I wasn’t sure if it was something I wanted to do for the Lord or if it was mostly for myself. I have more strength of willpower when I do things for Him than when I do them for myself so I have to be careful about my motives. Now I think that it was actually a call from the Lord and this morning I am thinking about the blessings I have received. He is teaching me how to delight in Him more than the grain and new wine. I feel great physically and spiritually. It is like the 2 aspects of myself are more integrated. On top of all all that, I enjoy eating more! But what I really want is something I know in my head but need changed in my heart. I do not live to eat but I do eat to live. I live to feast on the Bread of Life.
Oh and I have an I Spy report too! I see some huge changes in my husband in relationship to Joey. He is a good father but has always been sort of authoritarian in relationship to his boys and sometimes condemning. He has mellowed so much in this area and is really looking at Joey’s heart, showing concern and even encouraging me in some ways I can help Joey.
Dear Anne, I’m still trying to contemplate your comment above, as I have felt this way also. I love your sentence here…” He is teaching me how to delight in Him more than the grain and new wine”. That is a huge idol with me….food and I want God to be my idol, not food. If I can only run to God and not food for comfort. God is helping me with this idol. Thank you for your comment.
I confess food snobery too Anne. Our son Joe is a chef, food often takes up way too much of my thoughts time & money.
Praise God that your husband is softening!
Love this I spy Anne–God has His hand on sweet Joey~
This week looks very interesting! I wasn’t able to do all the study last week but hope I can this week. Life has gotten really complicated here (family stuff and church tensions). I’d appreciate your continued prayers!
Continuing to pray, Diane
Will be praying Diane.
You got it!
I heard the other preaching of Tim Keller last week. It is very difficult for me (because of English). But I prayed, because I wanted to understand better. And I understood. Sometimes he doesn’t speak so fast. But I know that the Holy Spirit is my helper. I understood the most important, so I cried. Yes, the message really spoke to my heart. It was very special. Hear more about that Jesus is the “I am,” trembled my heart.The Fear increases! no words.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I liked very much:
“But every miracle.. also teaches us something about Jesus and our relationship with Him.”
Truth! And Jesus could feel our pain, and expressed his mercy at all times. I am amazed at the mercy of God. He knew the hearts deeply. Seeing and touching with so much Grace,…so, compassion and love exploded in miracles.
Once I read the Gospel of John, just checking people’s reactions in front of what Jesus did or said. Then I separated these reactions and just read the reactions. In the end, I cried a lot. In fact, the greatest miracle is His love.All because He knows us and knows that all we need is in relationship with Him.
Your words are beautiful here, even in translation, Polly. Your enthusiasm and excitement for the Lord shine through. Thanks for doing the hard work of trying to understand, and letting the Lord speak and then communicating it to us. Bless you!
you are sweet, dear Diane. love, Polly
I so agree, Diane.
Pollyanna,
It’s so lovely to hear from you. “Love exploded into miracles.”
So true Polly…loved that!
Dee, read this post morning-so rich, and then your update about Dalton-all of it, so encouraging! It also warmed me to hear that you and Angela had such a sweet time of fellowship-our sisterhood here is so awesome!
Dee,
I remembered when I read it:…“so we had some guidelines to keep them from being discouraged.”…,
You explained that at the end of series books for women. And I have applied. Great advice! and about the monopolistic, also liked the advice of the coins. But not yet needed to use the coins. :))
Oh — I remember the pennies. Sometimes I wonder about that (if it was my control idol’s idea) but I so longed to hear from the quiet members and to hush the monopolizer. Interesting that you have not yet needed to use them!
(We passed out three to a member and told them to spend them — one for each time she spoke, and to stop when they were gone! When everyone’s pennies were gone we passed out more. We laughed, however, for the quiet ones might say three words and the talkative talk for three minutes. Still, it helped some and made a point.)
Dee and Pollyanna, This reminds me of the time many years ago, I led a study and the other leader and I were thinking of a way to shorten prayer request time-all were health related. We decided to announce we were doing something new. We just wanted everyone to let the Holy Spirit lead in a conversational type prayer. Well, I came up with a grand idea! I thought we should time our prayer sessions with a stove timer! brought one of those white stove timers that clicks loud after you set the time, and turned it and gave us a certain amount of time to pray and asked that everyone pray as the Holy Spirit leads. Everything was silent as we started to pray, except this loud ticking noise..This was not allowing the Holy Spirit to lead! As we were praying you could hear the timer-click, click, click..Everyone was nervous awaiting the loud ring to come-and it did, and it was loud-Oh my..I think mine was definitely from my control idol though. 🙂
How funny, Rebecca!
:)))
Oh Dee, this week looks amazing–hard to only comment on the beginning–it all looks so rich. LOVED hearing the report on Dalton and your time with precious Angela–I can just picture you two–and the joy!And loved your I-spy-wow! The skeptic in me was worried about you riding with a stranger–and yet, you must have felt the Spirit leading–how He blessed it. I’m continuing to pray for dear Bonnie.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
“the world is eager to have another explanation than God intervening” This kind of thinking just makes me kind of sad. There seems to be such an effort to believe in anything BUT God. I think some are afraid to believe—because it requires acknowledging His holiness, His supernatural-ness. It requires us to humbly admit we cannot understand His ways.
2. Report on your last week’s Lenten discipline. Will you continue with the same or do a new discipline this week?
Last week, I wrote down “pride”, specifically, my tendency to believe that once I arrive at a well-thought-out conclusion, it is “right” and others should agree! However, God used my continuing nerve pain broke me in a different way. Laying down my pride meant admitting my weakness and inability to take care of things the way I would like. But God graciously used my weakness to love me, through the help of others and the generous encouragement of a dear friend.
This week, I want to lay down criticism. I want to see the good. A few weeks ago Chris shared Matthew 6:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.” I want to meditate on that this week to help me see my family, my friends, my pain, and the daily interruptions in life—with His eyes, with an eternal perspective—that He might use me to bless others instead of criticize in mind or word.
Elizabeth, I am so glad that God has met you in your difficulty with this nerve pain. I do pray that you will be feeling better this week. Your putting off of criticism this week really speaks to me. I would like to join you in this. I will pray for you in addition to joining you.
Thank you Anne, I will pray for us both in this too–helps to know we can journey together~
Elizabeth, so sorry you are still suffering. Jesus please touch Elizabeth’s body and be near her. Give her strength. Amen.
Elizabeth — how interesting you chose pride during a week of needing help. Perhaps you did that intentionally but I love what you learned.
Keller thinks this generation is more apt to believe miracles because they are into spirituality. But reluctance, he thinks, to believe miracles comes from reluctance to surrender. It is a moral obstacle.
It may be different in the south than in New York. I know my sister Bonnie’s church disclaims the miracles as fables.
Elizabeth will continue to pray for your healing. Thanks for still sharing, you are an encouragement to me along with all the ladies on this blog.
Elizabeth, I loved your comment and can learn so much from you. I’m still working on putting off pride and putting on humility…very much like you are! It’s actually a daily process. The Lord helps me see my pride and gently reminds me about humility each day. I tend to want to quarrel with my husband as he can come and go as he pleases and he only helps with moving Kendra from the wheelchair or the pooty chair. I am the one that feeds her and makes sure she is getting all her med’s and cleans her and dresses her, keeps up all the laundry and dishes and house and plays with her and always near to help in anyway I can and I feel my humanized heart creeping in, feeling bitter and selfish and jealous for the simply things like, fresh air and sunshine and a few minutes to myself, or a nice shower or book or my other bible study (Dee talked about)MY friend Nita goes with me, but the last two weeks somethings always gets in my way and can’t get there. I feel like I’m fighting with the evil one to have that time once a week. I have to make a plan to get these things, as Kendra wants me there all the time. And I get frustrated, then angry and by the time my poor husband hears from me I’m at my boiling point! He wonders what is wrong with me! He just don’t get it:) He is a wonderful man, with alittle bit crazy wife! But it is my pride and self centeredness working and not my humility again. I hate my human heart, I want to always be kind and loving and giving like Jesus, but I’m a miserable failure. I bow down and beg for forgiveness and to please fill me with his spirit and love and praise him.
Elizabeth…you wrote, ” However, God used my continuing nerve pain broke me in a different way. Laying down my pride meant admitting my weakness and inability to take care of things the way I would like. But God graciously used my weakness to love me, through the help of others and the generous encouragement of a dear friend”. That is me too. I feel like God is using my continuing back pains to break me in a way that is pleasing o him, like you said…” Laying down my pride meant admitting my weakness and inability to take care of things the way I would like. But God graciously used my weakness to love me” He meets me everyday, like you, Elizabeth and uses my weakness to love him and give me patience and controll over the bad fruits and work on the good fruits of the spirit. I am a work in progress each day:)
Oh Joyce, this is another post of yours going in my “save” file. You said “I feel my humanized heart creeping in, feeling bitter and selfish and jealous for the simply things like, fresh air and sunshine and a few minutes to myself, or a nice shower or book or my other bible study” and I am convicted of my own icy heart. You are a model to me–I tell my kids about you a lot, the way you love Kendra so selflessly, so unconditionally. I could never begin to imagine how hard your load is, Joyce, I feel like such a wimp in comparison! He is your strength, your stronghold…He shines through you and it so ministers to me. Praying for you Joyce–and praying one of these days you’ll paint something for us all to see 😉
This was a lovely exchange between you two Elizabeth & Joyce. You are both inspiring!
Elizabeth, I thought I could express myself and no one would come back this far and read it…but you and Chris did:) I feel blessed to have you in my life. I wish I could give you a big hug for being so sweet and understanding.
Elizabeth, Thank you for sharing Matthew 6:22…laying down criticism is something I’m working on as well. Praying for health for you.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
First thought? I have never heard that explanation for Jesus feeding 5000! However, it is difficult for me to believe enough food was available for all. sometimes I think was 5000 in the Bible really 5000 in our terms? I don’t know, I’m not a scholar of theology. I just believe it was so because Jesus did it.
I also think He said I am the bread of life and meant that if I follow Him I will never have to worry about being fed. I truly believe that after the past few years of husband without work, money hard to come by; we never lacked a thing. God is good.
2. Report on your last week’s Lenten discipline. Will you continue with the same or do a new discipline this week?
I wasn’t so good at being kind to all in my family. Time is so precious. It wasn’t like they didnt have the basics, it’s just I didn’t do the extra. I will try harder this week.
Keller says it was 5,000 families as just the heads of families were counted. So more like 20,000. Yes, obviously a miracle.
I wonder if it would help to try a different approach this week. What about putting off any negative comments and putting on encouraging edifying comments that are from the heart? If time is so precious, maybe the basic is enough? Just a thought! You need to be led by the Lord.
Good idea Dee, as usual 🙂
What stands out to you and why?
I liked “Every miracle Jesus did was to restore the world to the way it was meant to be. There was not meant to be sickness, hunger, hurricanes, and death. These are all part of the fall. But every miracle, and this is what I want you to ponder, also teaches us something about Jesus and our relationship with Him.”
I know God uses suffering but I like hearing you say His miracles were to restore the world to the way it was meant to be. So many believe He doesn’t do miracles anymore. My God is bigger than that! And I’m always eager to learn something new about Jesus and my relationship with him.
2. Report on your last week’s Lenten discipline. Will you continue with the same or do a new discipline this week?
I’m continuing with the same; exercising and dieting without letting the scale rule my emotions. Have grace for myself when I eat a donut. 🙂 Seriously, it may seem like a little thing, but I know the enemy would like to see me lazy and unhealthy, so I’m fighting him on this.
I’m still for the most part giving up facebook, I still check my messages and I twitter, but I see it’s importance fading away. I think my attention span is getting longer. I have time to read and write. I’m not as concerned as to what everyone else is doing. All good things. 🙂
I like your #1 Anne. It is wonderful to think about the world restored to order and wonder what it will be like. Today I was wondering if we will have to wash dishes. I thought that maybe things will not rot or decay and therefor not be dirty. Eating and not washing dishes…what a wonder!
I will pray for you this week, that you will eat the food that you have decided on and be filled with Jesus.
I vote for not doing dishes 🙂
Sounds good Annemeredith. Do you listen to music while you exercise?
Yes — all good things!
(Did you hear about our family’s accidental meeting at the Louvre in Paris yesterday? (John and Julie, Sara and Pierre! I have always felt God surrounding Sara, wooing her!) For anyone else reading this, Sara is Bonnie’s daughter, John is my son.
I listen to music or sermons, like Louie Giglio or Keller. I am usually walking outside so sometimes I just like the quiet, to be able to hear the birds in the trees.
That’s crazy about the accidental meeting. Didn’t know Julie and John were visiting there. Sara does have a tender heart.
When I read this I thought how the Bible says a child shall lead them, so I will now pray for the salvation of those nearest to Bonnie. This is very exciting that Bonnie’s daughter, Sara’s heart is soft.
That’s a great way to pray for this family, for Bonnie. Thank you Kim!
Yes, you are welcome. I feel faith rising up!
1. I am also saddened by the fact that the wonder of Jesus’ miracles are being explained away from the pulpit. I really do wonder if this is not a new thing in our more recent culture. Jesus Christ Superstar was on the fringe when it was first performed but now it seems to have come into the church.
I am really looking forward to studying what God has revealed to you Dee. Truth is so exciting. There was a time when I ran from it. How foolish I was (and miserable). I am so glad that God pursued me.
This morning we had wonderful worship and a great message from Judges 11 and 12. I am amazed at what God showed this pastor from those books and also at how relevant they are for Joey. But what I wanted to do is find this song to share here. I was floored when I saw the heart picture! It is Desert Song and I think it will speak to all of us, those in the fire, in the desert and those in the harvest. http://youtu.be/adnygYiH0YI
Wow, thanks for the link, Anne! Powerful lyrics.
Love the song and heart, Anne.
Love that song!
Thank you for the song Anne & I am glad God pursued you too!
Wow! Thanks Annie for sharing this song.
1. What stands out?
a. I’ve led a sheltered life! Hadn’t heard that explanation for the feeding of the 5000.
b. Jesus Christ Superstar. I think I saw a performance of that — waayy back a looonngg time ago.
2. How’s it going?
Well, it seems more natural for me to “put off” than to “put on.” I think that’s because some stuff can be “put off” through legalism and sheer stubbornness. But true putting on (real life) only comes through God’s power and grace. I will continue with the same topics as before, but allow Him to tune my heart more toward “putting on” time with Him.
So true about putting off and on, Renee.
Good thought on putting on.
I think we can put off through legalism — and even put on through legalism — yet I think unless we are surrendering to the Lord it may be futile. What do you think?
3. Comment on the above.
Scary stuff Dee; but definitely something we are all guilty of these idols that mean nothing in reality. I suppose I spent too much time wanting my kids (and myself) to do well in school….making the grade..it has been so important to me, and yet they never could measure up. One didn’t like school and ended dropping out, one doesn’t have the brain for school and finally made it through, but what a struggle! One is still in school and it is hard to find a balance for himself. I have learned much about this idol over the past few years and am glad I have finally realized that it’s not the important thing in life. My last child has taught me this, really. He is such a blessing to me.
This is one example if an idol in my life, but oh there have been others! I too feel regret for wasted time. In fact, just last night I was thinking how much time I have spent this weekend studying and working on my job and not much time spent “hanging” with my family. I hope I haven’t missed anything important with them. This is how life will be until I finally have the masters degree at the end of the summer. This is why I am trying to be less selfish and more giving to them during Lent. The idols can wreck you life! Time wasted trying to make more money, lose weight, and make the house presentable for others to notice. Less time building relationships and learning the Bible. I’m so glad God loves us and understands us.
4. Read John 6:1-15 and describe the miracle. If a verse quickens you, slow down and tell us what you see.
Well, this is the story we know and have discussed already; Jesus feeding thousands with only a few small piece of bread and 2 fish. There is enough for everyone with some left over! I think it’s interesting how Jesus asks Phillip where to buy bread for all. It’s almost like he was mocking Phillip, but I know he wouldn’t do that on purpose.
Yesterday we studied the passage in Acts where Saul is struck by the bright light and converted to Christ. The pastor was talking about being saved, and how it can happen anywhere at any time, in any place. I suppose if Phillip had any doubt in his mind about Jesus, he wouldn’t after witnessing this event of feeding thousands.
I have often wondered why Jesus only performs miracles sometimes but always. Why do some people benefit from his miracles but not everyone?
The last verse about Jesus pondering being king and then going away to be alone is also interesting. I wonder if he thought something like, here I am performing my miracles (no big deal to him) everyone thinking I’m “all that” and really they don’t see the point of the miracles (kind of like me questioning why he chose some to perform but not others). I wonder if this made him upset; them missing the point? They weren’t focused on the right part of the miracle. It wasn’t about fish and bread it was totally about belief in him no matter the circumstances, no matter how awful the condition. Whoa! Hold on now…..even when my son wrecks the car this past weekend and we have no extra money to fix the car? Even when my daughter can’t find a job and is struggling with self worth? Even when my husband is depressed and has gained so much weight he is putting a strain on his body that could have severe consequences? Jesus can provide and be the answer for all. My problem is that I believe that, but do they know this? Not really. The hubby goes to church but has trouble giving himself totally and the kids have been raised in church but no longer have the desires to be Christian people in their lives. I can believe and pray for them, but do they have to believe for miracles to work in their lives?
Such things to ponder Dee. Sorry to write a book!
It’s good you are doing so much pondering.
I think he asked the disciples to feed them, not to mock, but to help them see their helplessness. And then he had them participate because we are his hands, his feet, and his heart in caring for a hungry and needy world. What do you think?
Oohhh! That’s so good! We are His hands and feet since He can’t be here. Makes me want to cry right now 🙁 I get it!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
FIRST POINT THAT STOOD OUT: When Ed Longabaugh said, “Idols always demand a propitiation.”- MAN THIS STUCK OUT TO ME! I tried to post yesterday, but God wanted me to percolate on this. This seared my soul, and I walked away thinking about it yesterday. So after reading this as well as when Dee reflected on how she has wasted time sacrificing on the altar of her idols-and gave examples. This caused me to really examine myself too, and God brought to mind a few areas.
SECOND POINT THAT STOOD OUT: “But every miracle, and this is what I want you to ponder, also teaches us something about Jesus and our relationship with Him….So when He fed the multitudes and then followed it up with His claim: I AM the Bread of Life, what was He teaching us?”- This is what stood out to me.
I am picturing how bread nourishes our bodies-it brings a satisfaction to us-relieving us of hunger, I think of how they might have devoured that bread! Yet I think just as God gave them that bread to satisfy their hunger, God gave us Jesus to satisfy our soul hunger-“I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE”. Only He can satisfy our soul hunger-our longings. He is as satisfying to our soul as food is to our body-well I think more so. I think this is true when we come to him for salvation from the penalty of sin-He gives us Life, yet also I think from the power of sin-we need to desire more and more of Him for only He can truly satisfy.
This reminds me also of John 5:53, “So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.
Good Rebecca. Yes, Ed’s statement seared me. But as Anne said, we must not run from it!
I am home. Had quite a time getting home — but glad to get here last night as I’m in charge of five grandchildren while their parents and eldest daughter are in Europe. Covet your prayers they all stay safe. I think you feel double responsibility as a grandmother!
oh My, Dee! Can I jump on a plane and come help you?! I wouldn’t be much help, but would laugh with you–this sure makes me smile–but I know too that’s a BIG job! Will definitely be praying–what a blessing you are to your children to be there for them like this–and those grandchildren, what fun memories.
🙂
Praying for you! You have a lively group 🙂
So happy you are home safe!! And OH MY on watching 5 grandchildren!!! Praying for extra strength! 🙂 May it be a joy!
Oh have fun Dee with your grandchildren. Will be praying for all of you.
You will need prayers, Dee! No I’m sure your doing great….my comments comes from having a daycare for 15 long, hard years. Only God got me through it. But it was good to be home with Kendra then, rather than her be in daycare, that we always had trouble with. I knew I could do it better! The kids still come back to see “Mama Joyce and “Papa Pete” and Kendra:)
Oh I hope you can relax and enjoy the company of those precious little people, how blessed they are to have you as their Grandma!
2. Report on your last week’s Lenten discipline. Will you continue with the same or do a new discipline this week?
Last week mine was selfishness, but the underlying idol was comfort-Dee’s statement on the blog this week made me really examine last week more. Long story, but God is showing me once again that loving others is an outflow of His love in me. He empowers me and when I turn from Him and put my eyes on other things for relief from the stress of bringing up four boys and two on the Autism spectrum-one who seems to be most difficult-I can easily sacrifice time, and loving instruction to the idol of comfort.
I am praying about this week..I think really what is sticking with me was Dee’s statement above-I don’t want to waste any more of my life sacrificing to idols! I used to fear risk-well REALLY fear it because I didn’t trust that those God calls he equips and I would be happy just staying in my cocoon-comfort to avoid all of the pain in letting go of my idol and trusting. I can easily bend toward being that scared bird that is supposed to be ready to fly, whose mom pushes her out of the nest, yet she falls on the ground scared, dazed, wandering around afraid to fly. Yet, I see God moving in me in this area with His chisel.
I am studying Philippians at church-yesterday our teacher brought out suffering and how especially in the midst of suffering we can bring God glory and be His fragrance to others if we don’t cling to comfort-but apply the Gospel to our suffering. In Paul’s case He applied his future resurrection-He knew what lay ahead and so His eyes were on Christ regardless of his circumstances-this enabled him to not be afraid to die-to literally pursue and share the Gospel with his enemies-God strengthened him to reason with His enemy, to love them-He wasn’t afraid to take risks. He had as His soul gazed upon God. This is what I want to apply to my life-I want to apply the Gospel to my life this week, when these little weeds of idolatry come up-approval, comfort-I don’t want to waste any more time.
This is so key Rebecca “God is showing me once again that loving others is an outflow of His love in me”–I so need this reminder. In my relationship with others, my loving them is not dependent on them or how loved i feel by them–it is all about Him, it is all FOR Him, is all flows from the overflow of His love that has filled my cup and it just spills out…
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
First is that Jesus did not come to “dazzle” us with His miracles. He always pointed to the Father. However, I am not sure I agree completely with Keller that Jesus’ miracles are not meant primarily to convince people of His deity, because what came to mind was this passage from John’s Gospel, in which John states His purpose for writing it:
“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not
recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”
2. Report on your last week’s Lenten discipline. Will you continue with the same or do a new discipline this week?
I don’t know how to answer this. My daily praying for my husband was off last week b/c I was helping my mom when she was sick. (Thankful – she is feeling better and eating more!)
So this is a fresh week, and I will continue to use the prayers for inspiration in The Power of a Praying Wife.
But, I really gave in to discouragement over the weekend. Sometimes I just want to take my daughter and run-away from home! It’s the verbal abuse that just about sends me over the edge. Being yelled at and cursed at and talked to like I’m a little kid (though that’s not right for a child, either). All the things I feel and experience are too lengthy to go into here, but it also saddens me to see my boys picking-up the foul language and bad tempers. My oldest is home on spring break for 2 weeks and he can be quick and sharp with his tongue, although, he usually apologizes. So many things I’d like to talk to and teach these young men about living, God’s way, but zero support in that from their dad and my middle son will turn me off “like that” if I mention God. And time is slipping away. I often feel like one big failure as a mom.
Somehow I’d like to get my hands on that abundant life Jesus promised. I know it doesn’t mean health, wealth, and happiness all-around. The inner abundance and peace despite the outer circumstances so often eludes me. Maybe what I need to put-on this week is delving into the psalms, speaking truth to my soul.
Susan —
I’ve thought of this so often, and want to e-mail you privately to talk, and will. I would really like for you to get Leslie Vernick’s The Emotionally Abusive Relationship and the book Boundaries (Cloud and Townsend).
I know the thought of setting boundaries is frightening, for it may escalate abuse and bring things to a head. But I can’t see you continuing this way for life, and I think the greatest hope for your husband to change is through boundaries.
I know you’ve read quite a bit from Nancy Leigh deMoss, and I find her a godly woman — but I am quite sure I would disagree with her in this area, from what I have heard. I will e-mail you privately, but I also know there are others out there in your situation, who may need to get these books.
Lesle also has a helpful website. http://www.Leslievernick.com
I’ve come to care so for you, Susan. I’m praying for your hard situation.
Susan, this helps me to pray better for your husband. I am so glad for Dee’s wisdom on boundaries. I had to put them on my mother for about ten years and I can say that they were peaceful years b/c God led me to it and kept me through it. I pray you will read and apply “Boundaries” it is so good. Love and hugs.
oh Susan, I have tears running down my face right now as I read this–I care so deeply for you, Susan, love your open, tender heart–and I hate this abuse you have to endure. I have thought of you so much lately–our sermon yesterday on marriages and those with unbelievers and the pain–I am just so sorry. Praying daily for you~
Oh, dear Susan. I am so sorry you are struggling so. Praying too.
Susan, this does hurt to know you are going through this, but thank you for telling us. We will pray. It is so hard to raise boys to love God when their father doesn’t. God is able though. He has come through for Joey I don’t know how many times. He is still far from sold out but he has not gone over the edge into blatant sin either. Lord, I pray that you would undertake in the lives of these sons. Remove any veil from their eyes that they may see their own sin and desire the Savior. May they discern truth and desire it above all things. I think of the parable of the precious pearl. May it be true in their lives. I also pray that Your would bring godly men into their lives and let them see lives of joy in You. Bring into their lives men who love their wives and put their relationships on display before these sons. He can do this. I know that you know that but I want to encourage you in this.
I echo what Dee said about the books. I would not just read the Boundaries book but do the study too. I got The Emotionally Destructive Relationship on my kindle for less than $3.
I don’t know how to pray for your husband except to pray for salvation. It does appear that he has a hard road ahead of him. No doubt, he is under heavy conviction and resisting.
Dear Susan, you are a jewel in God’s hand.
Oh Susan I’m so sorry to hear all the negatives coming at you, will be lifting you and your children up in prayer and asking God to soften your husbands heart. Stay strong and keep the faith.
Susan, the kids don’t realize it, but they have the best mom ever! They are at hard ages and when dad doesn’t support you…Wow so much harder. But they will remember what all their mom taught them someday! Your a treasure!
Praying for you and your husband and kids, Susan…love you.
I will pray too Susan, for you & your husband too. The speaking the truth to your soul sounds like just the right plan.
It helped me when I was dissapointed in my husbands lack of leadership with our boys to remember that they are Gods children before and after and far more they were ever ours, He can even use the broken parts of their childhoods to make them who He wants them to be.
3. Comment on the above.
All of this is very powerful, and yes, sobering. I can look back and see time and money wasted on things that will not last, so little time truly spent on the eternal.
The conversation with your friends, about how idols demand a sacrifice. I remember in one of Keller’s sermons, he said something like “Did you know child sacrifice still goes on today in New York City?” He explained that when men and women make idols out of their careers, success, and money, their children are sacrificed.
I can so relate to the idol of approval. I sacrifice my time doing things to get it, sacrifice peace and resting in the love of God. One example from my life is cleaning. My mom’s house has always been as neat as a pin; you can eat off the floors, really! When my children were young, she might come over and she’d stand in my kitchen, look around, and say, “Let’s get going here and get this cleaned up!” I know she wanted to help, and showed her love by helping that way; she wasn’t meaning to be critical. But inside, I would be crying, “I just want you to come over and spend time with me and the kids, to talk and visit with each other.” My mother-in-law also keeps a spotless home. My home just doesn’t meet that standard, and my husband lets me know it. So I feel if only I could “get it together” and have that perfect home, then I will earn the approval.
So I have sacrificed time with God, time with my kids, to do that.
It so easily transfers over to God. What must I “do” to earn His approval? The false idols even tell us to believe lies about God. The verse from Jeremiah tells us plainly that idols DEVOUR us and affect those closest to us.
Oh Susan, I have a feeling that if your home was imaculate, there would still be issues that you could never meet their approval. Just put God first and give it over to him and he will take care of it. An example is when a niece of mine was asking me for money or to take her places all the time. She is very needy and is pregnant with her 2nd baby and only 18 yrs old and no car and boyfriend in jail. I felt sorry for her, but she was using me for everything she could get from me. I just couldn’t tell her no and gave it to the Lord and she hasn’t been calling ot texting hardly at all. I still pray for her, but the Lord took care of my problem for me. Now we have a special needs couple coming to the house every night to see Kendra since she broke her ankle, a month ago. Even tho Kendra and I love them, it gets to be much and my husband says once in awhile if fine , but not every evening. So I can’t say anything for fear of hurting their feelings, so I have given it over to the Lord also. I know he will take care of it for me. I pray for them also, but it is causing fight’s at home between Maurice and I. God will help us in even the smallest things, if we only ask:)
Thank you, Joyce. From what I’ve heard about this Boundaries book, maybe it would be good for both of us to read! I don’t think it is being insensitive of you to ask that you not get nightly company, that you also need “downtime” and rest!
I’m getting both the books Dee suggested, because your right..I have an awful time being assertive. It’s just that this couple is special needs and loves Kendra and It makes it even harder to say anything, because each time they come it’s like the first time..so excited! And Kendra loves them, too! With them all being special, I feel like a real heel, breaking up all their fun, and if I say anything to Kendra about them not coming tonight, she gives me this real sad, sour, face:(
Joyce,
You are a SOFTIE!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
It stood out to me that if a human being were writing a script of Christ coming to earthit would have included Superman like feats, but Gods ways are higher than our ways.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
I was surprised that the scientist said he was a Christian, I was so sure he wasn’t when he began.
I agree that if Steve had been healed people would have rationalized it. Those whose hearts were prepared to follow Christ were likely just as influenced, maybe more so, by Steve humble faith & trust than they would have been had he been healed.
I used to work for a dentist who was Catholic & his son went to a prestigious Catholic high-school. He was so exasperated when his son came home reporting that one of his teachers who was a priest had told the class that Noahs flood could not possibly have happened.
It is sad that people are so desperate to be in charge of their lives that they cling to anything they can find to deny Gods existence, when the entire created world and their own conscious make it clear that there is a God.
2. Report on your last week’s Lenten discipline. Will you continue with the same or do a new discipline this week?
My exercising efforts were just so so, I did workout 3 times, and did harder workouts , but I need to aim for consistency. I read less than I hoped to as well. I am still foregoing wine. The putting off negative assumptions went really well. I did a better job of seeing them pop up and avoided feeding and watering them!
I will continue these disciples this week.
There is a womens retreat coming up at church. I was invited last year by a lady whom I had short conversations with after services, but we didn’t know each other well. We subsequently went to lunch & to some antique shops. I picked her up at her home that day. She has a beautiful home on a private street, tastefully decorated, much my nicer than my house is. As I thought about this retreat and if I might go, it is an overnight thing this year, and who I might share a room with, I thought of her but immediately felt that she probably looks down on me because our house looks a mess compared to hers. I shot that thought down as a major negative assumption. I then took it one step farther and thought even if someone should judge me for that, I am going to be able to stand on Judgement day because of Christ, why ought I care about what someone thinks of my house!
The sermon yesterday was based on Counterfeit Gods, one of the elders delivered it. What he lacked in form he made up for in content.
He used this quote which made me wince first and then more deeply understand, treasure, & appreciate Gods patience.
“God is not proud…He will have us even though we have shown that we prefer everything else to Him.”
— C.S. Lewis
Good truth speaking to your soul, Chris. If I were your friend I would not only go with you but would want to spend time with you to glean spiritually from you. I hope you ask her.
Thanks for this Chris. It’s good to know that you are overcoming some of your struggles in this area. It helps me keep motivated to do the same because I want to go back to what I am comfortable with, which is “go back in your shell, bar the door and stay there.”
Oh Dawn I hear you, your struggle is mine too.
I do see though how much my comfort idol has isolated me. I also begin to sense how short life is, I will be 47 in a month. I don’t want to continue to waste time being alone.
Praying for you Dawn!
Thanks Chris. I pray for you a lot too. I turned 47 in January. I think with me it is more of an approval idol. I think so much about what other people are thinking of me that I’d rather be alone where I can be myself.
LOVE YOUR DIALOGUE WITH YOURSELF. RIGHT ON, SISTER. HOPE YOU ASK HER!
AND NOT ONLY THAT — YOU ARE AMAZING!
I blushed when I read this.
I dont feel amazing at all. I do feel like I may be able to begin to try to bring glory to God, I hope that I will be permitted to.
I realized that can’t go to the retreat, at least not overnight. My brother and 3 sisters and I have planned to go and visit our uncle, our fathers only remaining sibling on the same Saturday the retreat is being held. I may attend the Friday evening session and come home.
There have been some tensions in our sibling group since our dad died, this will be the first time we will all be together.
Dee, my brother bought your Friendships of Women for all of us girls during our time of emotional turmoil!
o.k. o.k. i missed this…saw this in my inbox while eating my late lunch and had to get on here!! So I will read now..
I see what all the excitement is about. WOW! I loved how you spoke truth to the lie and applied the Gospel-you didn’t let the beast in. Then God continued to speak to you through the Sermon and C.S. Lewis quote. I do hope you ask her. 🙂 Loved this update, Chris!
I find your wording interesting, Rebecca: “you didn’t let the beast in…” as I have been pondering – and I think it is from Him – that if we keep Him close the devil will not be able to get close to us.
oh the privilege of watching His work in you, Chris–I am in awe, of your openness and His shaping your heart is just inspiring!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
“Every miracle Jesus did was to restore the world to the way it was meant to be. There was not meant to be sickness, hunger, hurricanes, and death. These are all part of the fall. But every miracle, and this is what I want you to ponder, also teaches us something about Jesus and our relationship with Him.” and “This is what we will consider this week — and I am eager, during the Bible study section, to share a way the Lord spoke to me as I studied this passage this week, for it is truly helping me and I believe it may help you too.”
I so want to see miracles in a new light because I know that they must have a deeper more meaningful purpose or that would have been the focus of Jesus’ ministry and it clearly wasn’t, also Dee’s enthusiasm is catchy.
2. Report on your last week’s Lenten discipline. Will you continue with the same or do a new discipline this week?
I did much better than last week. I find it easy to pray for my enemies and do because Jesus told us to and I let the Holy Spirit handle the specifics of their needs. I find it difficult, if not impossible, to love them. This I cannot do on my own, but I am going to continue putting off resentment and putting on love as a way of life not just a Lenten event. For the first time since I had my first child 26 years ago, I don’t HAVE to get up for anything and find myself more and more laying in bed sometimes for 2 hours just thinking about what I’m going to do that day and then not having enough time to do most of it before work, so my discipline this week is to get out of bed immediately, like I used to, and get my day started.
Dawn,
I want to encourage you as you continue to pray (for your co-workers, I’m thinking?) for those who’ve hurt you. And for the difficulty in loving them, thankfully, nowhere in the Bible does it equate love with “mushy feelings” – instead, love is demonstrated in obedience to God, which you are doing by praying, and in action towards others, as in I Cor 13 – “love is patient, love is kind,…” So your being patient with them or offering a kind word is loving them. Of course, I’m not saying that feelings of love wont ever come, but I take comfort in the fact that love is not a feeling, it is so much more.
Thank you for this encouragement, Susan.
YEAH FOR THIS VICTORY ON PRAYING FOR THEM. AND FOR PUTTING OFF RESENTMENT AND PUTTING ON LOVE — AND NOT JUST FOR LENT. 🙂
Diane,
Praying for your time with your daughter today – let us know how it went!
Thanks, many of you, for praying for my time with my daughter. I spent a few hours helping my daughter sort through clothes for giving away. I think it made her feel better to get this done. But it was only a small scratch of the amount of cleaning that needs to be done.
As I have read about various women here struggling with the conditions of your houses, I will take the plunge and confess that I am really very concerned about my daughter. Somehow, Krista’s mental issues contribute to her not taking proper care of her house. It is very dirty most of the time. I have a hard time going to my daughter’s house. It makes me sad. I tend to see the cleaning that needs to be done yet I try to concentrate on being with her and the boys, instead of the housework. I could spend all my time there and clean, but I know I cannot. I try to just love her and her kids and pray for her. I often do go and help her with cleaning as well.
I want to help, but I am not sure what is the best way. And so, I am praying, trying to give her to God. I also wonder if there is something I did that has caused this problem when she was a child. Hence, I fight guilt as well. I am not a fastidious housekeeper myself, but she has problems.
Life is messy, isn’t it. We are broken. Only he truly knows us, but he loves us and came to rescue us anyway.
Diane, I’m praying for you and your daughter also to have quality time to talk to her about the Lord and just what’s bothering her. This is just a suggestion, but you could say, Lets just work on cleaning out the closet or refrig. or one room. Don’t take on the whole house..it’s too much and this way maybe you’ll have more time to talk. Praying for you and her:)
Diane will continue to pray, and Joyce is right start small with the clean up it won’t be so overwhelming than.
Diane,
Don’t pay any mind to what I posted about regarding cleaning – it sounds like your daughter’s depression truly incapacitates her and she can’t perform daily duties like basic cleaning. I have a friend who has struggled for years with depression, and there are periods when she can’t even get herself to get out of bed, all day. It’s a hard balance – you want to be with her and the boys, but I’m sure she appreciates help with the cleaning, too.
Will continue to pray for Krista. This is a very hard thing, I’m sure, to watch your daughter go through.
Susan, I didn’t mean to make you feel bad about anything you said about cleaning. In fact your bravery helped give me the courage to admit I am struggling and that it involves cleaning as well. With women, the state of our homes affects us in major ways and there are extremes, both in being super clean and in being the opposite, that both indicate emotional problems. Most of us are somewhere on the continuum between but we mostly all have issues around housekeeping I am guessing.
I do try to only tackle cleaning one small section of the house at a time with Krista, and try not to even mention the other areas. I appreciate your prayers that we can have quality conversations and that I will be an encouragement to her as she struggles through her issues. It seems like a mountain but each step is important.
You didn’t make me feel bad at all, Diane! I was worried that you THOUGHT you had made me feel bad! You know what I think it is with me – it’s like those 5 love languages (Gary Chapman). I feel most loved when people spend time with me. Others feel loved through acts of service, or gifts, …. my mom always helped me when she came over, and I did appreciate it, but I would have just enjoyed her company, too!
Praying for your daughter, Diane. Praying hope rises up in her and she feels how close her Father is to her, who wants to heal her and give her joy. This is a prayer I pray for myself as I struggle with depression. I’m not majorly depressed anymore, and I believe the Lord will guide your daughter through this valley as she turns to Him. Thank you for sharing so openly here.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I am so sad that people have to reason out or understand miracles. I guess I have a child like faith b/c my daddy would sing the little tune to me, “God said it and I believe it and that settles it for me”. I don’t believe God has to prove the how’s of life, He just is. Reminds me of Abraham – without faith we cannot please God. After reading this I felt a deep sadness for those who are deceived and a deep joy for my heritage of belief.
2. Report on your last week’s Lenten discipline. Will you continue with the same or do a new discipline this week?
Since I am behind in my daily memorization I will not watch tv until I have learned my verse for the day. I am doing great on the other things and since exercising faithfully I no longer have trouble sleeping and feel like I am abounding in energy and getting my spring cleaning done. I had to stop the Benadryl as a sleep aid b/c it made my mind race all night after a few nights.
God answered a prayer and blessed me with an elderly lady to care for two afternoons a week and I am so excited about this opportunity. God almost always brings me to people who need Jesus. There is nothing like praying the prayer of salvation with someone. It is a merciful God who draws people to Himself even in the final days of life and proves we should keep praying and believing for He wants our loved ones saved much more than we do.
Your excitement is contagious, Kim. That lady is blessed to have you!
Thank you.
Kim, you amaze me, how you minister to others. I think your gift is ministering and helping to others! (When can you come to my house? Just jolking!!)
🙂
Oh cool is that Kim. So happy to hear and see the joy in you.
Thank you, Julie and Joyce. It’s all Him – I’m so changed because of Him.
This verse suits you Kim;
1Peter 3:4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
I love your heart to care for those in their last days
I will cherish that verse from you, Chris. Thank you, you made my day!
I read this yesterday, from Frederick Buechner, it reminded me of the gift God has given us here, a safe place to share our stories:
“What we hunger for perhaps more than anything else is to be known in our full humanness, and yet that is often just what we also fear more than anything else. It is important to tell at least from time to time the secret of who we truly and fully are . . . because otherwise we run the risk of losing track of who we truly and fully are and little by little come to accept instead the highly edited version which we put forth in hope that the world will find it more acceptable than the real thing. It is important to tell our secrets too because it makes it easier . . . for other people to tell us a secret or two of their own . . . ” ― Frederick Buechner
Your words and this quote brings tears to my eyes, Elizabeth. It is sooooo great to have a safe place to tell our secrets, and so few women have that safe place. “It is important to tell our secrets too because it makes it easier . . . for other people to tell us a secret or two of their own . . . ”In our women’s Bible study groups I am trying to provide this kind of safe place too.
You do too, Kim….you give so much!
I loved this quote Elizabeth, I am glad we can be real with one another here, and not “highly edited”!
This hits me – “It is important to tell at least from time to time the secret of who we truly and fully are…because otherwise we run the risk of losing track of who we truly and fully are…”
I feel in some ways I have “lost track” of who I really am, and I often really hide what’s going on inside.
Where do you come up with these wonderful quotes? YOu must be a prolific reader!
Susan when you put your whole life into serving other’s, as most women do, for our husbands and children, parents, etc. We forget what we truly and fully are and what we’d love to do if, we had to time to do them.
3. Comment on the above.
I know that it is easy to put so much time and money into things that will pass away, and very little into those things that will not. I know this is the heart of what Jesus was showing, saying, and wanting us to understand.
This is great. In “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan, I learned about living out my faith in a real way, a way that pleases Him. It was a life altering book and since reading it I have asked the Lord to show me how to apply it to my life.
I feel for Jesus b/c I see His heart to feed hungry people but he also wanted them to want the giver of food not just the food. “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him” ~John Piper
There is no doubt my idols have cost me a great deal. I am applying the truth to my soul when the comfort idol wants me to fear the future I say no for it costs more than I want to pay by stealing my time, energy and peace.
Yes —
Kim –I’m coming to Kearney —
Mandy is hosting a Sonrise leader’s meeting on Monday after Easter at 1:30 — you could ask Shell about coming to that (I’m going to present Stonecutter.) Or, I’m speaking to families of Cancer Survivors (anyone is welcome but needs reservation) a Holiday Inn on Tuesday night April 10 — dinner at 6 and then I speak — over at 8:30 Annie also having a coffee Tuesday morn — so you can let me know if one of those would work…love to see you — Warren welcome too at dinner — just have to do reservations — I told Joyce too about the dinner…
Great, I am looking forward to seeing you again. Tuesday evening I will be at my new part-time job and Tuesday morning I will be at Sonrise so it will have to be at the Sonrise leaders meeting if Shell and the others are okay with that. I will ask. Would love to hear your Stonecutter presentation!
Let’s see…google maps driving directions says Kearney is 21 hours and 24 minutes away from me :(…I may have to change my area of “putting off” this week to jealousy!
Praying for a sweet time for y’all!
Elizabeth, I would love it if you came to NE. and I would put you up in the Taylor Bed, breakfast, lunch and supper Inn! 🙂
Oh Elizabeth, wouldn’t that be fun:) Wish we could all get together!
I am putting Crazy Love on my short list, I have really enjoyed the Francis Chan messages I have listened to.
3. Comment on the above.
I can relate to having idols that demand sacrifice. I was listening to the Focus on the Family piece with Sheila Walsh on depression, and she talked about how some escape using drugs or alcohol, with her it was Christian ministry. I can relate to that as I spent a really good amount of time on ministry when my boys were little. A lot of it for approval. If I wasn’t away from home, I wasn’t “present” with them that much at home. My son Ben struggles with his weight and I know it’s a consequence of me not noticing early on and teaching him better eating habits. And giving him treats when he wanted attention from me instead. That makes me sad. Hard lessons to learn and I’m thankful the Lord is grace-filled and doesn’t hold our sins over our head.
I’m coming out of a ‘sabbatical’ from ministry and I’m not the same person I was when I pursued ministry as my escape and for approval. I know God used me in spite of myself, so I’m looking forward to doing ministry with my eyes open to former idols and escapism.
Praying for you annemeredith! Such insight on your kids too! I am so glad you see it now you know?!
I too sadly am seeing how I did some things wrong with my oldest because she has some issues that surprise me and this has been exposed because we brought this little guy into our home. But I am thankful now to see it. I did some of the same things, giving “treats” instead of me. Being busy into my own “ministry” things. I am glad I can see now that I need to spend this time seriously with them and correct. AND really pray for heart changes in us all. Thanks for your honesty. It encourages me to know I am not alone in this!! 🙂 God keeps showing me though that through the line of the kings in the Bible some of the worst “parents” had godly offspring. That takes some of the pressure off me. he he.
This brings tears to my eyes. You are becoming even more beautiful.
thank you for this truth anne meredith “the Lord is grace-filled and doesn’t hold our sins over our head”–so good!
I’m so glad you listened to Sheila Walsh, Annemeredith. I had thought of you, too, when I mentioned it to Diane and with her daughter who suffers with depression.
I think often, too, of many times I was not or am not “present” with my kids, even when I am right there with them. I’ve even heard pastors talk about “practicing the presence of God”. We can even get distracted when we are spending time with Him!
Yes, thankful for His grace that covers us!
Thank you all for your kind and encouraging words. I am so grateful I can share my thoughts here.
My boys are home on Spring Break so we are getting to spend some time together. One of my friends quoted Donald Miller, about right before we die we realize life is about loving people and we will have realized we watched too much television. Funny, but true. My boys spend a lot of time playing video games so trying to find things we can do together.
Two spring breaks ago I hospitalized myself for depression. It was a really scary experience and I only spent one night. But this time of year is hard for me, as it’s an anniversary of a really hard time. I covet your prayers.
Dear Jesus, thank you for bringing Anne Meredith to our study. We are enriched by her wisdom. I pray for her during this very difficult time of the year. I ask you to be very near. May she lean into you for comfort. You are the friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Give her a deep abiding joy in exchange for her sorrow for you are the Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Thank you Jesus, we love you. Amen.
Praying for you Anne Meridith, you are such a blessing to us here. Enjoy your boys!
Praying for you, too. May the Lord walk closely with you during this hard time of year.
Praying for you during this difficult season. May God’s truth shine brightly in the dark spaces.
Thank you so much for your prayers. I feel loved.
Shelia Walsh was on Chris Fabry live today too. I love her Scottish accent.
I would think that God can use you in ways you never thought if you are minstering solely for Him and His glory.
That’s true, thanks for the encouragement. Yes her Scottish accent is wonderful!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? The story of Lazarus. Of all the things he could have asked for he did not even think about desiring God. He was settled in his hell. No desire for God just that others would not experience what he did. However, no amount of miracles can convince someone who has a hard heart anyway, and God has to move in our hearts in the first place. I too use to think if people just saw this great miracle they would believe but now I see that thinking is false. People need to desire God for God not for what He gives or does.
2. Report on your last week’s Lenten discipline. Will you continue with the same or do a new discipline this week? I got back on a little bit on FB. I do see it as a good ministry tool. I am being guarded with my time there. I have been using time to read those two books Prayer by Yancy and the Transforming Power of the Gospel by Bridges. Both have been so good in drawing me closer to HIM! Now this week I am going to shift that extra time into reading Fool-Proofing Your Life…I need wisdom as to how to relate to our little guys parents in a Christ like biblical way. I know this resource will be of a great help! Thanks for suggesting it Dee.
Also, my husband is off this entire week. So I also am going to try to let my control idol go and replace it with looking to Jesus. Though I love my husband being here all week all day long it is hard when I am the one running things, the schedule, discipline, etc. Then he comes in and I defer to him but the difference is hard and then I think I do things better which is just pride and not true. I want to focus on it being a joy filled family time.
Angela–this sounded so familiar–like something straight from my own thoughts “and then I think I do things better which is just pride and not true”–I will pray for you with great empathy and understanding!
3. Comment on the above.
Wow this is good stuff and I do see how idols demand a sacrifice of some kind…Some of what I wrote above relates to this…I don’t want to sacrifice anymore to them. Especially in regards to my family. I MUST keep my eyes on JESUS. 🙂
3. Comment on the above.
I am just silenced by this thought from your friend Ed “Idols always demand a propitiation.” My idols are so demanding, so exhausting, so insatiable! If I desire approval, and I do something that seems to earn approval from others—so then I just want to do it again, or try harder to get that same “high”. Sometimes I even feel angry or like it isn’t fair if I don’t get that approval the second time…there is such an addictive nature to our idols because, yes, they demand a sacrifice, but it is a continuous demand—the idols are never satisfied with one sacrifice.
The whole mural of God giving the Israelites over to the pagan nations with whom they made alliances (and whose gods they worshipped) is making more and more sense to me. And then He would punish those nations, but they did indeed, take so much.
I too felt silenced by Ed’s remark.
Chris–any update on Brian?
Thank you Elizabeth, Brian seems humbled. He came to church on Sunday and we took him to breakfast.
He has moved in with a young couple who have a 2 year old child. They live nearby.
He came and talked with Bill for an hour or two while I was at work on Friday.
His court date is this Thursday, I will be going with him.
Bill and I both feel hopeful that Brian will turn a corner and that this will turn out for the best. He made a declaration of faith at camp some years ago, I do pray that he will surrender to Christs leadership.
Oh Chris I hope so too. I have been praying for Brian and will continue to. God is in controll and he loves him very, very much!
4. Read John 6:1-15 and describe the miracle. If a verse quickens you, slow down and tell us what you see.
I slowed down on verse 6: “He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.” Jesus always knows what He is doing—He always already has the end in sight, the Plan. But He asks us to be more than puppets. He asks us to actively participate—to believe beyond what our limited human ways can accomplish. Here Jesus is asking Phillip—Who do you say I am? I think of the many times in my own life He asks me, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”—the times He asks me to stop and believe He is Who He says He is. He is bigger than my practical, logical mind. He is God. And some times, He has to stop us, like He did Phillip and ask us to think beyond our present circumstance…to believe beyond what the parenting book says the temperament of my child is, or what the marriage book says the statistics for divorce are…or what the internet says certain symptoms may mean…not sure if I’m making ANY sense. But when I read this, I thought Jesus is asking Phillip to put down the “owner’s manual” and believe, believe He is GOD.
“He asks me, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ Put down the owner’s manual and believe.
Wow.
Wow, this was REALLY incredible insight Elizabeth: “But when I read this, I thought Jesus is asking Phillip to put down the “owner’s manual” and believe, believe He is GOD.”- so good.
This reminds me of “who do you say that I am?”
“Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”—the times He asks me to stop and believe He is Who He says He is. He is bigger than my practical, logical mind.
Good stuff Elizabeth!
Sunday – Monday Icebreaker
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? – I like when you talked about unbelievers not being humiliated when answering a question in a way they think is right or in a way that they heard some who they trusted say something. There are so many of these types of people out there and until they come to know the real Jesus and the real Word and what it truly says they will be misled. If these unbelievers were humiliated and walked away, they would continue to be misled. Loving them and showing them compassion as you did Dee they are more likely to start to think that where they are being taught is not right and does not line up with God’s Word.
2. Report on your last week’s Lenten discipline. Will you continue with the same or do a new discipline this week? – Well my getting up early to get into the Word is not working so well. I think I am finally over my cold and I’m am going to continue in my putting off sleeping in and putting on getting my nose in the Word first thing.
Julie – thank you for your affirming first paragraph. It increases my sympathy when you say they repeat something that they heard someone they trust say. So many false shepherds and we must have love for the sheep led astray.
It amazes me that everyone has to prove the miracles are a fact that is proven by science, instead of believing God preformed them. Like finding the Ark and trying to prove it was not real, feeding the 5,000 and parting the sea. But they haven’t got a reason why Jesus wasn’t in the tomb, do they? They have the garment he was wrapped in, that shows his face from the blood stained cloth. There will always be somebody who will spend years to prove the miracles wrong, so “Blessed are those who have not seen and believe”.
I know, Joyce. For some, as Julie said above, they have been taught by someone they trust.
Matthew prophesied one lie people would tell to explain the empty tomb:
11 As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. 12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13 They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ 14 If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” 15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today. (Matthew 28)
Joyce — I’m coming to Kearney for Easter and speaking on Tuesday April 10th at The Holiday Inn for a Cancer Survivor’s dinner. Let me know if you want to come and I’ll reserve a seat as one of my guests.
I think it is 6 to 8:30. It is really for anyone, but they are targetting families touched by cancer.
Dee, I would love to come to both the coffee at Annie’s and the dinner, but let me check with Nita. Her husband died of cancer 6 years ago and she may love to come, too. Cancer effects just about everyone anymore. I have lost two girlfriends and a cousin and a uncle (my dad’s twin brother) and a aunt had a breast removed because of cancer, and I’ve had pre-cancerous things removed from me, so do you think I qualify?! It is certainly nothing to laugh at..I didn’t mean it that way.
Absolutely you can come. And Nita. I’ll send you the e-mail so you can register.
Matthew prophesied one lie people would tell to explain the empty tomb:
11 As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. 12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13 They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ 14 If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” 15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today. (Matthew 28
Thank you, Dee, I never knew about this lie!
Dee, I haven’t thought about, “how my idols have demanded a sacrifice”. But I can look back now and see how my idol’s have cause me to sacrifice time and health too. I have reqrets also. Thank you for bringing that to mind, to ponder and chew. Some things are too late to change, but other’s are not! That helps me alot. Good Morning, from the Night Owl to the Early Birds!! Praying for everyone!
5. Read John 6:22-35
A. According to John 6:26, why did Jesus say they were seeking Him?
They sought Him because they ate the bread. Did they want more? I would think they sought Him because they were worried about Him; why did He leave? I would think they wanted to be near Him because He was special; that’s why I would have wanted to be near Him. I really have trouble reading these passages sometimes. I just seem to miss the point. Jesus says they want to be near Him because they wanted the food, not because He performed a miracle. I just can’t believe the disciples would think that way. I am trying to put myself in their shoes. Miracles didn’t just happen every day. Wouldn’t they be astonished by His creating more and more loaves and fish for all? I would have been thinking oh my gosh! The bread and loaves keep coming and coming! How exciting is this!!! Food for everyone! Praise be to God! Jesus, you are amazing! So I just don’t get this at all. He (Jesus) says they don’t seek Him because of the miracle? Because they want food?
B. This should always cause us to ponder — do we find Him useful or beautiful? How are you doing in this area?
Jesus is amazing! I don’t get what you mean by beautiful. Beautiful to me is outward appearance although we can be beautiful from within. Is this the term you meant to use? If so then I believe He is beautiful from within. He resonates kindness, pureness, gentleness, thoughtfulness, all the “nesses!” that means, to me, he is beautiful.
Jesus is useful to have “on you side” as well. I don’t necessarily think that is a bad thing either; it was useful that He fed everyone who needed feeding. No one went hungry; that was useful. The crowds were fed so they wouldn’t get agitated and perhaps begin the argue or fight. The people were there because they wanted to hear Him speak, right?
I keep thinking about the “rock star” status as I write. It surely seems as if that’s how they perceived Him. They wanted to be close to Him, they followed Him around, etc. Kind of reminds me of the paparazzi and Princess Diana.
C. What does he tell them in verse 27, and what does this mean?
He tells them to not worry about real food, but the food that gives them eternal life. That would be His food; the belief of God and the Word.
Laura-dancer — you are getting it.
Yes, I meant inner beauty. We know actually that it wasn’t outer beauty, for that’s what Isaiah 53 tells us.
Jesus is useful to have “on you side” as well. I don’t necessarily think that is a bad thing either; it was useful that He fed everyone who needed feeding. No one went hungry; that was useful. The crowds were fed so they wouldn’t get agitated and perhaps begin the argue or fight. The people were there because they wanted to hear Him speak, right?
The way I think some people want to have Jesus “on their side” is like an insurance policy, to feel that they have covered all the bases. They tip their hat to God and feel that they are on good terms with the Man Upstairs now, He will protect & provide. They dont want God to be mad at them, but they are certainly not interested in being His disciples, making Him the Lord of their lives, of acknowleging that they owe him everything and that He is God Very God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
4. Read John 6:1-15 and describe the miracle. If a verse quickens you, slow down and tell us what you see.
I stopped on this verse: “and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick.”
I could be totally off again here, but this is what I picked up. The verse says they followed Jesus, Why? Because they saw the signs he had performed healing the sick. They didn’t follow him because they wanted Him apparently. Why were they following him? Perhaps it was for what they could get from him. I remember Dee saying our idols are insatiable, like a whirlpool sucking up whatever they can get to satisfy-creating an insatiable hunger-never truly satisfied. Perhaps these people were desperate for relief from their woes, whatever that would be, whatever it would take and I think they looked at Jesus like he was a ‘tree walking’-a genie in a bottle. Perhaps they thought their satisfaction would come from what He could give them rather than coming from Him.
I think you are spot on, Rebecca.
5. Read John 6:22-35
A. According to John 6:26, why did Jesus say they were seeking Him?
They were looking for him so they could have food to eat. When they saw the signs he had performed healing the sick-they didn’t really see Him.
B. This should always cause us to ponder — do we find Him useful or beautiful? How are you doing in this area?
I remember when I was ‘bound’ in finding him useful as was so evident in my prayer life. When I first came to know Him my prayer life was totally different-I saw him as beautiful, but as time went on He became more useful-oh how I regret that-I wasted so much time of intimacy with Him! Yes, I know he forgave me, but I also am painfully aware of time lost with Him. That was my sacrifice to my idol.
How are you doing in this area?
I think after I came out of my desert time after I started studying here on the blog, as I ran from the hold my idol had on me and into His arms-and as I saw Him more and more beautiful in the Word, my intimacy and prayer life slowly started and still is changing. Yet I am only at the base of the mountain-but it is so beautiful here-well and at times painful when He chisels away on other areas of my life. This is daily for me although I don’t want to be bound again like I was two years ago and waste that time with Him again-so I must always be on guard. The depths of my darkness-oh how I need Him.
So much truth in this post that resonates with me, Rebecca.
Me too, Rebecca
Kim and Joyce, God is chiseling right now! I have three thirteen year old boys at my home to spend the night-so that makes four 13 year olds including my son, and then my other three-so, 7 boys.. 😉 Honestly, I am tense-not to the extreme or anything though. I gathered them all together and set boundaries-told them they are not allowed to go outside in the middle of the night. They can stay up late but they can’t be loud. Oh God has a lot of work to do in my heart. :~/
Praying all goes well! You are so brave!
4. Read John 6:1-15 and describe the miracle.
The miracle was Christ’s blessing and multiplying 5 loaves and 2 fishes into enough to feed a football stadium size crowd.
If a verse quickens you, slow down and tell us what you see.
John 6:5-9 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”
He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.”
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him,
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”
I thought of a sermon I heard on this passage that looked at the personality types of Philip and Andrew, Philip being the logical reasoned of us who sees the reasons clearly that something can not be done, and Andrew as those of us who set about to do it ourselves if we can, a ‘if it is going to be its up’ to me sort of attitude.
Then I thought of George Mueller’s story, of how he began orphanges with no money, his aim being to glorify God by trusting Him and allowing Him to demonstrate His sovereignty in providing financially. I thought about how reluctant I am to trust God to do even small things. I am more like Andrew, I feel I must figure it out if I can.
“Mueller’s faith that his prayers for money would be answered was rooted in the sovereignty of God. When faced with a crisis in having the means to pay a bill he would say, “How the means are to come, I know not; but I know that God is almighty, that the hearts of all are in His hands, and that, if He pleaseth to influence persons, they will send help.”61 That is the root of his confidence: God is almighty, the hearts of all men are in his hands,62 and when God chooses to influence their hearts they will give. “
John 6:10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.
I thought it was odd that it was included in the text that there was much grass in the place!
John 6:11-13 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.
And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.”
So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.
It stood out to me that Jesus gave thanks. That though He was God, He was relying on and trusting in the Father to provide.
That the crowds had “eaten their fill”, they were not given a portion, they ate until they were satisfied.
What stood out to me the most was “that nothing may be lost.” That the provision of God not be wasted, but also perhaps that it would not be lost one those who were paying attention, the magnitude of the miracle
Chris, was it George Mueller who had no food to feed the orphaned children and an onion truck broke down or wrecked feeding hundreds of hungry children? I looked for it and found this on meditation which is great and I am going to begin meditating on the Word following this ministers suggestions.
http://www.mentoring-disciples.org/Meditation.html
Sorry for the rabbit trail. 🙂
Thank you, Kim, I thought that was very interesting, too.
I dont know that story Kim, but I feel sure it is a Mueller story.
I can’t resist sharing some qoutes from him, they fit so well with our discussions.
“The Lord never lays more on us,” he said, “in the way of chastisement, than our state of heart makes needful; so that whilst He smites with the one hand, He supports with the other.”
“I bow, I am satisfied with the will of my Heavenly Father, I seek by perfect submission to His holy will to glorify Him, I kiss continually the hand that has thus afflicted me.”
“According to my judgement the most important point to be attended to is this: above all things see to it that your souls are happy in the Lord. Other things may press upon you, the Lord’s work may even have urgent claims upon your attention, but I deliberately repeat, it is of supreme and paramount importance that you should seek above all things to have your souls truly happy in God Himself! Day by day seek to make this the most important business of your life. This has been my firm and settled condition for the last five and thirty years. For the first four years after my conversion I knew not its vast importance, but now after much experience I specially commend this point to the notice of my younger brethren and sisters in Christ: the secret of all true effectual service is joy in God, having experimental acquaintance and fellowship with God Himself”
“We should begin the thing in a right way, i.e. aim after the right state of heart; begin inwardly instead of outwardly. If otherwise, it will not last. We shall look back, or even get into a worse state than we were before. But oh! how different if joy in God leads us to any little act of self denial. How gladly do we do it then! “
“Self-denial is not so much an impoverishment as a postponement: we make a sacrifice of a present good for the sake of a future and greater good.”
Okay, these two stood out to me:
“I bow, I am satisfied with the will of my Heavenly Father, I seek by perfect submission to His holy will to glorify Him, I kiss continually the hand that has thus afflicted me.”
“Self-denial is not so much an impoverishment as a postponement: we make a sacrifice of a present good for the sake of a future and greater good.”
This self-denial is right where I am – the more I give up something I want – denying immediate satisfaction – to become more healthy and please Him the more I feel His face shine on me and the quicker I will get to my goal. Some day I will get to exercise less or eat sugar at special occasions just not now.
I forgot to add this, Jesus fed them all, he fed the people who were there for the wrong reasons as well as those who were ready to be His true followers, He fed Judas along with the other disciples, He fed those in the crowd who would later shout ‘crucify him’.
I am sorry I haven’t been commenting more, especially to those who have addressed me directly 🙁
I worked a lot this weekend and yesterday. I am so behind in my housework and I MUST get to the grocery store today. I want to give this study time top priority, now I will exercise, clean, shop, and this evening I should have time to catch up with reading everyones comments.
I love you guys!
Wow, so much to do…you are amazing, Chris!
Joyce my load is small compared to yours,but I am happy to say the floors behind my toliets are clean, and my fridge has food in it now, I have had a full day!
🙂
4. Read John 6:1-15 and describe the miracle. If a verse quickens you, slow down and tell us what you see.
A great crowd was following Jesus. He fed them all using a boy’s five small loaves of bread and two small fish – the food kept multiplying and everyone had their fill. On top of that, there were leftovers!
What I love in this is picturing how Jesus was teaching and instructing His disciples, building their faith and preparing them for what they were called to do, through simple things like the daily need to have something to eat. It says that He had in mind what He was going to do, but He starts with Phillip and puts a question to him, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”
I like how Jesus doesn’t rush in to give them the answers. He patiently lets them try to solve the dilemma on their own. Andrew chimes in about the 5 loaves and 2 fish, but…
I can’t help think Jesus was smiling on the inside.
The Lord is so patient, with them, with me. This sticks with me, “He already had in mind what He was going to do”. The Lord knows, already has His plan, for me, for my life. Perhaps my muddling around has something to do with Him letting me try to problem solve on my own, but all along He is with me, being patient; He will give me the answer in His timing.
Yes! So true!
4. Read John 6:1-15 and describe the miracle. If a verse quickens you, slow down and tell us what you see.
v.2 we see people following Him because they saw the signs He was doing to the sick. It saddens me that people were just following Him for what He could do.
Then Jesus questioning Phillip to test him. That is interesting too. God helps us with these questions discern what we are believing.
Then the people wanting to force Jesus to be their king. That was interesting to me too. They seem to always want to do what is right in their eyes. How much do we do this too?
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
This past Sunday was Communion Sunday for our church. As I received the bread, the Lord spoke to me that this broken bread not only represents Christ’s body, but it also represents the church as His broken body. This came as a new and surprising thought to me. I had never made the connection before. I had always only thought this bread was Christ’s body on the cross. I automatically responded, “Lord, is this true? Am I thinking rightly?” As I have pondered this more, I believe the message was meant to reassure me that even though we are broken, we are truly part of Christ’s body. Then on Sunday afternoon, I was surprised to see that Dee’s study is on “I Am the Bread’ this week. It could not be a coincidence.
I am keenly aware recently of how broken each believer is. Yet it is amazing that He continues to love us and use us to share His message with our family, friends and neighbours. Jesus was broken on the cross so that we might be made whole. The healing is still in process, however, and many times the rawness of our brokenness causes us (and Christ’s church and Jesus Himself) much pain.
This is really a beautiful thing the Lord gave to you, Diane. So true. How we put on our smiles and come to church, but we have been and are broken people. Thankful He takes us in to be a part of His body.
I love this Diane!
Beautiful revelation, Diane.
This post is one of my favorite from you.
3. Comment on the above. – I think we can all look back and see where we went wrong, things we did that now are coming back to haunt us. I can see to where I have and probably still do neglect those around me and even things around me. We can only ask for forgiveness and learn from what we did wrong or what we didn’t do at all. It is so hard to come up with a balance in our life, to find the right fit for everyone involved. We need to find time for ourselves to be with God alone, and possibly bring others in too so we spend time with them while still focusing on God. If we make a commitment to God but also find time for others and other things are lives may become more balanced and the idols may start to fall away.
I know I find myself wanting to get so close with Jesus that other things fall to the wayside. My house is clean, but spotless NO. Our laundry gets done but may not be the same day each week, or may take all week for that matter. Meals don’t always get cooked, but we are not starving. I do what I know I can handle without stressing myself out or wearing myself so thin. There are two other people in my household that are capable of doing all I can do too. I know I should probably do more, but after working all day I don’t always feel like doing anything when I get home and especially when the other two are doing nothing. I have to say and know I need prayer about this but I sometimes go on strike.
Lord I ask for the energy to do all I’m supposed to do as a wife and mother, but give me the time I need for Me and You too. Fill me with unending energy to accomplish these things, in Jesus name I pray.
Julie, Could I borrow your prayer?! “Lord I ask for the energy to do all I’m supposed to do as a wife and mother, but give me the time I need for Me and You too. Fill me with unending energy to accomplish these things, in Jesus name I pray”. Thank you:)
Yes you may, use it as often as needed. : )
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I agree that nothing except God’s Spirit can quicken our hearts and minds to the truth that He is. I will have to think on the idea that all of His miracles were done to restore things to the way they should have been. I have not heard it put that way before. I’ve thought that the signs and wonders He did were to display His glory and point to who He is.
2. Report on your last week’s Lenten discipline. Will you continue with the same or do a new discipline this week?
So far so good- I’m still reading and participating here:-)
3. Comment on the above.
Any object of worship demands a sacrifice. As a school nurse I have seen the effects on our kids of many of the sacrifices we as parents have made to our idols. However- we can also get caught up in guilt piled onto us by our accuser. If the Lord convicts- it comes with a godly sorrow- not with thoughts that torment us. When He convicts and we repent then He is free to redeem and restore! I once went to a forgiveness retreat and was having a time alone in prayer where I was telling God I wanted a circumstance to be erased as if it had never happened. He said that He could not undo a thing but that it could be and in fact had been redeemed and that was even better- what a joy and comfort that was!
4. Read John 6:1-15 and describe the miracle. If a verse quickens you, slow down and tell us what you see.
What stood out to me is in verses 2 and 14- “A great multitude was following Him because they were seeing signs…” and “When the people saw the sign which He had performed…” and in the next verse it says that Jesus perceived that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king. The people were intrigued with the miracles and signs but if they had had their way and been able to “make Him king” then they (we) would have missed out on salvation! They did not understand, it did not make sense…how many times have I been there? How many times, if I had had my way, would I have missed out on His best?
Great comment and reminder that the accuser wants us to carry guilt but His plan is to redeem and restore. SO true! Love this.
He said that He could not undo a thing but that it could be and in fact had been redeemed and that was even better- what a joy and comfort that was!
This is a comfort, fits in with this quote I cling to from one of the Keller sermons;
“I believe like a child that suffering will be healed and made up for, that all the humiliating absurdity of human contradictions will vanish like a pitiful mirage, like the despicable fabrication of the impotent and infinitely small Euclidean mind of man, that in the world’s finale, at the moment of eternal harmony, something so precious will come to pass that it will suffice for all hearts, for the comforting of all resentments, for the atonement of all the crimes of humanity, for all the blood that they’ve shed; that it will make it not only possible to forgive but to justify all that has happened.”
― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
Wow- what a quote! That speaks to me in a big way- thanks for sharing.
“How many times, if I had had my way, would I have missed out on His best”?
Lucy, your so right, that is me your talking about, Great comments!
So far so good. Still reading and commenting here! Love it. Great discipline, Lucy. So glad to have you with us.
3. Comment on the above. This really speaks to my heart Dee! I pray that I can articulate. In the early days of the first time we did Stonecutter I was in so much pain wrestling with idolatry. I frequently wondered why it was so important, after all it seemed like everybody was sold out and oblivious. I think part of me wanted to go back to oblivious. So I began to wonder about why we were in this battle. Did God have some great ministry for us? Was He returning soon? A lot of thoughts went through my mind. This has helped me to see just what idolatry has done to us/me. It is sad and appropriate that we should grieve. BUT GOD: will restore the years the locust has eaten!
This morning I had tea with a friend who is sensing a call to Africa. Her husband is also in agreement and she is so excited. Something she said came back to me when I read this part. She began by saying that she had a sense of eternity (perhaps Mysterium Tremendum was what she was experiencing). She talked about how mixed up she was as a teen and that if not for that she could have been there all these years. I can’t explain but somehow all of this will come together in eternity. We grieve those lost years but in eternity He will restore all those things.
Lucy I love what you said above about how He could not undo a thing but He can redeem it. He is truly a great God!
Amen!
Report on Lenten discipline: Today was an especially exhausting day in which my eyes saw how over-extended I am. Taking time to soak up His Word and His presence tonight. As far as my commitment to see the good in others, I doing better on that this week.
John 6:1-15: The miracle was in God’s provision to feed the multitude.
John 6:22-35: vs 26 – Jesus states that they were looking for him not because of the miracle but for the food. As I reflect on this, I often come to Jesus with my list of needs…should be focusing on worship and praying for the putting on of His character…that His radiance would shine in and through me to others. vs 27 – Labor for God, His Word, His character will produce life eternal; whereas labor for things of earth may produce life on earth for a while, but at some point things of earth will die. vs 30-31 – It’s sad, but yes I think that they were looking to see what He would give them, not searching for Him. vs 32-35 – It was not Moses, but God that provided the manna. Look not for the temporal food – but search and find the eternal food. I really liked what Keller said here (my paraphrasing): “Jesus declared I AM the Bread of Life as if to say without Me you will starve for eternity.”
Keller hit it right on the head, didn’t he? Not surprising…he is amazing! Loved your comments!
Meg you have been on my mind all day, You were unhappy crying yourself to sleep the last time I read your post.
Praying for you Meg!
Me, Meg:) Praying……you too, Tammy
Meant to say…I’m praying for you, too, Meg and for Tammy.
Yes, me too. Miss our little sister, Meg this week and Cyndi.
Thanks Ladies still not doing well still crying myself to sleep keep praying.
Meg,
Praying for you, I’m sorry you are feeling so low this week.
Let us know how we can pray for you!
Sorry you are struggling so much, Meg. Praying for you.
I am having a very difficult time in a friendship. I cant go into details but please pray i dont want to lose this friendship but not sure how long i can stand to be in this friendship either
Praying, Meg
Oh Meg, friendships can be so painful–praying for you dear one. Have you read Dee’s book on Friendships of Women? It’s one I go back to over and over..
Elizabeth
Yes i have read it.. and enjoyed it very much and actually have it.. good idea to go back through it..
I am able ready to start crying again.. at bedtime hopefully this wont be another night of crying myself to sleep..
a song for you Meg;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-ZAQwXZ7YQ&feature=related
Blessed is the man
Who walks in Your favor
Who loves all Your words
And hides them like treasure
In the darkest place
Of his desperate heart,
They are a light
A strong, sure light.
Sometimes I call out Your name
But I cannot find You.
I look for Your face,
But You are not there.
By my sorrows, Lord,
Lift me to You,
Lift me to Your side.
CHORUS
Lord of Eternity,
Father of mercy,
Look on my fainting soul.
Keeper of all the stars,
Friend of the poorest heart
Touch me and make me whole.:
If You are my defender,
Who is against me?
No one can trouble or harm me
If You are my strength .
All I ask, all I desire
Is to live in Your house all my days.
Chris, love this song.
chris thank u for the song!
D. Keller says that in verses 30-31, they are asking Jesus to do the miracle again! Do you agree?
It seems so because they give the example of their ancestors and manna.
E. What does He repeat to them in another way in verses 32-35?
He says that he is the way to heaven. He is the “life” they seek.
F. What stood out to you from this passage and why?
That they thought they needed another sign to know it was truly Him! If I had seen one miracle I would have believed! They needed another?