One of the verses from our Bible study really stood out to me. I went to the internet to look it up, study it somewhat, and decided to post some of the different versions for comparison.
Because of our environment in which we work and because of our upbringing in most cases, either brought up in church all of our lives or were subjected to many people who were “churchy” people, it would be very easy for us to fall into “legalism” and/or become “rote.” How to worship has been demonstrated to us in some way or another. We’ve learned how to talk the Christian verbiage and we’ve learned its okay to express our worship outwardly, etc.
Isa. 29:13-
NET © The sovereign master says, “These people say they are loyal to me; they say wonderful things about me, but they are not really loyal to me. Their worship consists of nothing but man-made ritual.
NIV © The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.
NASB © Then the Lord said, "Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,
NLT © And so the Lord says, "These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away. And their worship of me amounts to nothing more than human laws learned by rote.
MSG © The Master said: "These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their hearts aren't in it. Because they act like they're worshiping me but don't mean it,
BBE © And the Lord said, because this people come near to me with their mouths, and give honor to me with their lips, but their heart is far from me, and their fear of me is false, a rule given them by the teaching of men;
NRSV © The Lord said: Because these people draw near with their mouths and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their worship of me is a human commandment learned by rote;
NKJV © Therefore the Lord said: "Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
Look at these definitions:
Legalism-strict adherence to a literal interpretation of a law, rule or religious or moral code; the belief that good deeds are required for entrance into Heaven
Rote- mechanical repetition of something so that it is remembered, often without real understanding of its meaning or significance.
Our challenge as leaders, as Christians is not to fall into becoming rote, mechanical, but leading others into worship out of a very much alive relationship with Christ. It’s more than us meeting Him at our new birth but knowing Him daily, intimately, and being taught by Him through our personal time with Him. When we become mechanical, we’re the losers. We’ve missed out and so do others who we wish to direct towards knowing Christ more intimately. I pray that our worship and our personal relationships grow from the intimacy that Christ desires to have with each of His children and that His God-ness falls fresh upon us, and that His word penetrates our hearts to a new and fresh place which causes us to become different people because we’ve had an encounter with Him.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Oatmeal Raisin
Since it was too cold to go outside, even though the sun is shining, Michal and I decided to make our first batch of Oatmeal Raisin cookies. We had our first experience with cookies over the Holiday's but we didn't make this kind. We thought we would share the recipe with you. I looked on the internet for "easy oatmeal raisin cookies" and chose the first one that came up. I'm not sure this was the easiest but if you have a recipe for Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, please share.
Easy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
INGREDIENTS
* 1 cup raisins
* 1/2 cup hot water
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 cups quick cooking oats
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
* 2 eggs
* 3/4 cup vegetable oil
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Soak raisins in hot water and set aside.
2. In large bowl, sift flour with soda, salt and spices. Blend in rolled oats, sugar and nuts. In a separate bowl, beat eggs with fork and add oil, vanilla, and raisins and water mixture. Pour into dry ingredients, stirring until well mixed. Drop by teaspoonfuls about two inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 10 to 13 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden.
Easy Oatmeal Raisin CookiesINGREDIENTS
* 1 cup raisins
* 1/2 cup hot water
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 cups quick cooking oats
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
* 2 eggs
* 3/4 cup vegetable oil
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Soak raisins in hot water and set aside.
2. In large bowl, sift flour with soda, salt and spices. Blend in rolled oats, sugar and nuts. In a separate bowl, beat eggs with fork and add oil, vanilla, and raisins and water mixture. Pour into dry ingredients, stirring until well mixed. Drop by teaspoonfuls about two inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 10 to 13 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Name Game
Years ago I heard a teacher say, can't remember if it was in Sunday school or actually a Bible study, "whenever you see the name "Israel" in the Bible, put your name in it's place." It may have been for a certain passage but for some reason that kept coming to mind this morning when I was reading Isaiah 44: 6-23. After reading it I completed my homework for the day but I kept thinking about this comment for some reason and I kept going back to verses 21 & 22. Try it with me. Wherever you see "Israel", put your first name in its place. It will read like this...
"Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel (Kim). I have made you, you are my servant; O Israel (Kim), I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you."
Did you catch verse 22? What a way to start the day!!! He has swept away my offenses (many, I might add) like a cloud (gone, they are out of here), my sins (too numerous to count) like the morning mist (fully absorbed) and to top it off, I'M REDEEMED!!!! So are you!
By the way, Good Morning!
"Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel (Kim). I have made you, you are my servant; O Israel (Kim), I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you."
Did you catch verse 22? What a way to start the day!!! He has swept away my offenses (many, I might add) like a cloud (gone, they are out of here), my sins (too numerous to count) like the morning mist (fully absorbed) and to top it off, I'M REDEEMED!!!! So are you!
By the way, Good Morning!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Excited!
I'm so excited about beginning our study on, "Breaking Free" tonight and getting together with the girls. I know some of you wanted to join us and because of circumstances, it's not working out, but I'd like to ask those of you who can't join us, to please pray for us. This is a serious study and we want to be some changed women when we come out of this journey.
I hope you girls got caught up on your homework and I can't wait to hear, as well as share all, that God is revealing! Did I tell you that I'm SO excited?
We've got to tough it out, stay the course and hang on for the ride of our lives. Just think when it's over, we'll be singing a new song of "freedom"!!! Woooo hooooo!
Excited,
Kim
I hope you girls got caught up on your homework and I can't wait to hear, as well as share all, that God is revealing! Did I tell you that I'm SO excited?
We've got to tough it out, stay the course and hang on for the ride of our lives. Just think when it's over, we'll be singing a new song of "freedom"!!! Woooo hooooo!
Excited,
Kim
Friday, January 11, 2008
Created
After completing two of my homework assignments for today from "Breaking Free", here are some thoughts that came to mind (Week 2/Days 2 & 3).
Created
He’s the Filling of my hunger
The Quencher of my thirst
My soul’s satisfaction
When I put Him first
Chorus:
Created for His glory,
A temple where He dwells
Given chances to surrender
To all that HE entails
Is He recognizable,
In all I do and say?
Is it obvious to all,
I let Him have His way
He satisfies my longings,
Fulfills all that I need
How can I thank Him for
Everything He’s done for me?
Chorus:
Created for His glory,
A temple where He dwells
Given chances to surrender
To all that HE entails
Tag: Created for His glory for all that He entails
Blessings,
Kim
Created
He’s the Filling of my hunger
The Quencher of my thirst
My soul’s satisfaction
When I put Him first
Chorus:
Created for His glory,
A temple where He dwells
Given chances to surrender
To all that HE entails
Is He recognizable,
In all I do and say?
Is it obvious to all,
I let Him have His way
He satisfies my longings,
Fulfills all that I need
How can I thank Him for
Everything He’s done for me?
Chorus:
Created for His glory,
A temple where He dwells
Given chances to surrender
To all that HE entails
Tag: Created for His glory for all that He entails
Blessings,
Kim
Thursday, January 10, 2008
24 Hours
WOW! I wish I had time this morning to write about all that God has confirmed in my life within the last 24 hours. My vocabulary is limited to begin with and it's all so fresh, I think I'm still somewhat in shock. On my way home from the gym this morning I thought about it and I have to tell the girls in Bible study of the whole account first because it goes with our lesson. Maybe after I share it on Monday, I'll be able to put in words, make it somewhat brief and be able to word it so that God's glory will be revealed in the whole thing.
Meanwhile, let me just remind you, God is BELIEVABLE!!! We talk it, we share it but do we really BELIEVE it? Do we live like we BELIEVE it? I haven't. I can hang in there with the best of them and talk the talk, I've been in church all my life and know the right things to say but how differently life would be if we literally, took Him at His Word.
I'll confess, I've doubted His faithfulness, His timing, His decision to be silent, His reasoning, etc. But once again I'm reminded that just because I can't see activity in my current situation, doesn't mean He's not working in it, through it and on it!
Go ahead, I dare you to BELIEVE Him for YOU, your situation, your crisis, and your decisions. I know you believe Him on behalf of everyone else that you encourage but in reality, YOU are His child too. He doesn't play favorites. He hears the cries of His beloved children.
BELIEVE HIM!!!!!
I can't help but think about the old, old song I grew up hearing. "Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey." Sound familiar? Is there happiness in doubting and unbelief? I haven't found it to be very happy, in fact, it's rather miserable. I'm changing my route, will you join me?
Believing!
Kim
Meanwhile, let me just remind you, God is BELIEVABLE!!! We talk it, we share it but do we really BELIEVE it? Do we live like we BELIEVE it? I haven't. I can hang in there with the best of them and talk the talk, I've been in church all my life and know the right things to say but how differently life would be if we literally, took Him at His Word.
I'll confess, I've doubted His faithfulness, His timing, His decision to be silent, His reasoning, etc. But once again I'm reminded that just because I can't see activity in my current situation, doesn't mean He's not working in it, through it and on it!
Go ahead, I dare you to BELIEVE Him for YOU, your situation, your crisis, and your decisions. I know you believe Him on behalf of everyone else that you encourage but in reality, YOU are His child too. He doesn't play favorites. He hears the cries of His beloved children.
BELIEVE HIM!!!!!
I can't help but think about the old, old song I grew up hearing. "Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey." Sound familiar? Is there happiness in doubting and unbelief? I haven't found it to be very happy, in fact, it's rather miserable. I'm changing my route, will you join me?
Believing!
Kim
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Being thankful!
Part 1:
This morning while doing my Bible study, I ran across a verse that I haven't seen for a while. It spoke volumes to me so I thought I would share it to those of you who might need a reminder as well. Many of you know what situation I'm in at the present time and this passage spoke volumes to me. Be blessed!
Psalms 102:17-18 says, "He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their plea. Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord."
I wonder, anyone besides me ever felt "destitute", deserted, denied, delusional, etc.? I'm glad He won't "despise our plea" and that regardless of how we feel, it's NOT how it will remain. It is for this reason that I'm thankful!
Part 2:
Those of you who are participating in our study have already seen the next passage several times but I thought I'd post this as a reminder to those who may have not read it in a while. First, read this quote from Beth Moore about the following passage. "For every captive, God sent a Deliverer. God's liberating words in Isaiah 61:1-4 concerning the One who was sent to proclaim freedom for the captives apply just as surely to us as they did to the Israelites as they faced Babylonian captivity. They will continue to apply as long as God looks down from the height of His sanctuary, views the earth, and hears the groaning of the prisoner." Did you get that, "it applies just as surely to us as they did to the Israelites..." whooo hooooo! Now read it and see the other reasons I'm thankful!
Isaiah 61:1-4
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
Oh to be a planting of the Lord for the display of HIS splendor!!! I want to be, do you?
This morning while doing my Bible study, I ran across a verse that I haven't seen for a while. It spoke volumes to me so I thought I would share it to those of you who might need a reminder as well. Many of you know what situation I'm in at the present time and this passage spoke volumes to me. Be blessed!
Psalms 102:17-18 says, "He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their plea. Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord."
I wonder, anyone besides me ever felt "destitute", deserted, denied, delusional, etc.? I'm glad He won't "despise our plea" and that regardless of how we feel, it's NOT how it will remain. It is for this reason that I'm thankful!
Part 2:
Those of you who are participating in our study have already seen the next passage several times but I thought I'd post this as a reminder to those who may have not read it in a while. First, read this quote from Beth Moore about the following passage. "For every captive, God sent a Deliverer. God's liberating words in Isaiah 61:1-4 concerning the One who was sent to proclaim freedom for the captives apply just as surely to us as they did to the Israelites as they faced Babylonian captivity. They will continue to apply as long as God looks down from the height of His sanctuary, views the earth, and hears the groaning of the prisoner." Did you get that, "it applies just as surely to us as they did to the Israelites..." whooo hooooo! Now read it and see the other reasons I'm thankful!
Isaiah 61:1-4
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
Oh to be a planting of the Lord for the display of HIS splendor!!! I want to be, do you?
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Happy New Year!
I know, I know, it's been a while since my last post but I'm sure you've enjoyed the break.
This is it, 2008, can you believe it? I'm wondering what each of you have made as your New Years resolution. I'm still working on mine. One definite thing for me is to be more consistent in my journaling. I have journaled for years, just not consistently so that is a major priority for me this year. It's a very freeing and intimate experience that offers sweet relief and release for me. Maybe you should try it.
I only have a minute before choir rehearsal. A dear friend who has helped me more than she'll ever know wanted me to read a book of hers. I can't help it, I'll have to make the purchase. I thought I'd share it with those of you who may have not heard of it. It's called, "When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances." I'm only half-way through chapter two and it's a must have. I found that you can order it on www.christianbookcom. The author is Carol Kent. I'm serious, you have to have it, if not for yourself, as a gift. It doesn't have to be Christmas before you can give to someone you love and care about. She has other books listed but this one I know for sure is a must have!
I hope to blog more this year and I'm sure I'll have a lot to share from our upcoming Bible study, "Breaking Free." Day 1 of Week 1 has already got my wheels spinning. This is my second go around on this. I first took this study back in Sept. of 99 and then read the book two years later. WOW is all I can say about how the book helped me to begin a new chapter in my own life.
Well, it's almost time for the choir members to show up so I must go for now but I'll seriously try and make more entries.
Happy New Year!!! Make it count!
Blessings,
This is it, 2008, can you believe it? I'm wondering what each of you have made as your New Years resolution. I'm still working on mine. One definite thing for me is to be more consistent in my journaling. I have journaled for years, just not consistently so that is a major priority for me this year. It's a very freeing and intimate experience that offers sweet relief and release for me. Maybe you should try it.
I only have a minute before choir rehearsal. A dear friend who has helped me more than she'll ever know wanted me to read a book of hers. I can't help it, I'll have to make the purchase. I thought I'd share it with those of you who may have not heard of it. It's called, "When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances." I'm only half-way through chapter two and it's a must have. I found that you can order it on www.christianbookcom. The author is Carol Kent. I'm serious, you have to have it, if not for yourself, as a gift. It doesn't have to be Christmas before you can give to someone you love and care about. She has other books listed but this one I know for sure is a must have!
I hope to blog more this year and I'm sure I'll have a lot to share from our upcoming Bible study, "Breaking Free." Day 1 of Week 1 has already got my wheels spinning. This is my second go around on this. I first took this study back in Sept. of 99 and then read the book two years later. WOW is all I can say about how the book helped me to begin a new chapter in my own life.
Well, it's almost time for the choir members to show up so I must go for now but I'll seriously try and make more entries.
Happy New Year!!! Make it count!
Blessings,
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