Which Nimrod are you?

Cush was the father of Nimrod, who became a mighty warrior on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; that is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord.” (Genesis 10:8-9 NIV)

The bible is one of the most fascinating books ever written. It is complex , beautiful, and historic all in one. Who exactly was Nimrod? We know very little about him and Biblical scholars think he actually might be known as Gilgamesh and this name, Nimrod, was just used as a description. So this person could either be a great Godly man, or an inept, inadequate rebel.  We just don't know. The bible has many of these mysteries. I love it!

It's ok not to have all the answers. Wether it is concerning the bible or Gods plan for your life, it's ok to live in the dark. I think God does this to us so we will rely on him more. If I had all the answers, would I need God around? I'm pretty sure the answer to that question is no.  Instead of searching for all lifes answers, we need to turn everything to the Lord. The bible often speaks to us in unique ways. Those wonderful words are more than just sentences, they are sent to guide us and speak to us while we walk on a unique path. The same words of one verse might mean something today and different tomorrow. This book, authored by the creator of the universe, handwritten by man, is so critical to my daily walk. I praise the Lord for this wondeful gift.

Finally, I think I get it!

And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:27-28 NLT)

Im not always the sharpest tool in the shed! I've been a Christian for 40 years and I'm just now starting to understand. I don't know how many countless times I have read these verses, but the meaning never seemed as obvious as it does now. 

God has sent the Holy Spirit to watch over me. He did this because I have committed my life to him. The Holy Spirit knows what I need and intercedes for me with my Heavenly Father. And THAT is how all things work for the good of those that love God. I don't have to know what to pray or how to pray. I just need to pray! The Holy Spirit speaks for me. The Holy Spirit is my interpreter and intercessor. 

I know, some of you are saying duh, you didn't know that? Like I said, I'm a little slow. 

What this does for me is confirm how I should pray! I don't have to be specific. Even if I just moan in anguish, the Holy Spirit intercedes with words and God knows what is needed. I don't need to know the details of my grandkids lives, or my daughters, or the lost, or my coworkers. As I pray, the spirit knows, and speaks the needed words.

Praise God, thank you for the gift of the spirit. Thank you for forming the words I can't. I am humbled that you placed us above your own son, sacrificing him so we could live in eternity. Thank you Lord for your great love!

Fill'er up!

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6 NIV)

I have just started a new bible study about the conflict between faith and science. It is not a dynamic study, more of an intellectual study. It is somewhat refreshing. It appears, early in my viewing, that the speaker and I agree there is no real conflict and fear is more of the driving force than fact. I can't wait to continue!

Bible Studies and my own reflection on scripture have been a major part of my life for quite a number of years. I literally can't get enough. You could say "I hunger and thirst for righteousness." God's word is as valuable as my daily meals. It's fuel for my soul! It's like an old fashioned gas attendant. I drive in and just say "Fill'er Up!" 

I am never  dissappointed as I view or study Gods word. If it's my own personal study or study from someone else, I long to be filled. It started as a New Years Resolution to read the Bible in a year. I did it and found so much value in it, I made it a part of my daily routine. Now I can't do without it. I don't read the entire Bible in a year because I want to go deeper. I take it a short verse at a time and really let the Holy Spirit fill me. It is quite a meaningful time. 

Lord, I can't thank you enough for the great gift of your word. I am in awe how these ancient stories and words have such a major impact. I ask you to speak to me through the writers of your book of life. Help me read, understand, and apply your truths to my life every day I live and breathe for you. Amen!

Don't rely on me!

1 Corinthians 2

 ¹ And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.^[a] 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³ I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. ⁴ My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, ⁵ so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

I can certainly relate to what Paul was sharing. I have written this Blog for over a year. I have taught Sunday School Class. I have been a Christian since I was 13 years old and I have REALLY studied God's word for about 11 years. But, I am neither eloquent or full of wisdom. All I can say that these words come from my heart and my heart belongs to Jesus. I am selfish in my feelings about this blog. It started out, selfishly, just for me and for the most part it continues for that purpose. But, if it can be helpful to anyone in their walk with the Lord, it is worth it. 

I started this blog as a way to make me accountable to my study of the word. If you've never written for someone else, you should try it. It really makes you think about what you are saying. Not that I have said all the right things, I am no scholar. I really fear I might say something that would hinder someone following Christ. 

Christ is doing a good work in me. I am not where I should be. But, I am moving closer to Christ. I pray that he can use me and my weaknesses for his purpose. Even with these words, I hope he can use them to further his kingdom. I'm not looking for followers of this blog. I'm looking for followers of Christ.  Don't rely on me to provide some great wisdom. Read the word for yourself, let it speak to you how it will. Let your heart be open to the power of the creator of the universe.

A little Knowledge can be dangerous!

Romans 10

 ¹ Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. ²For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. ³ Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. ⁴ Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

 ⁵ Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”^[a] 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”^[b] (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷ “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”^[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”^[d]that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:

I'm not a biblical scholar, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express! I love those commercials. A little knowledge is definitely dangerous when it comes to knowing the word of God. So many people think they are experts. I have found my knowledge of the scriptures is changing all the time. Just when I think I have read it all, I am hit with something new. The Bible is the living word of God. It is not something to be mastered. As your life changes, the Bible changes with you. 

We need to be zealous for the word of God. We need to keep the word near us. We need to read it and live it with our hearts. Our faith is not really faith if we are not close to the word of God. I have gotten so I can spot a "Wordless" Christian a mile away. They speak in cliches, religious speak, and don't really have the word in their heart. READ GODS WORD! READ IT! STUDY IT! LIVE IT! Don't just rely on what you've heard. Don't be spoon fed on Sunday mornings. Chew on the words yourself. Open your heart to the Holy Spirit speaking to you THROUGH the word of God. Not many really give it a chance. I can speak from personal experience that I can't get enough because how it speaks to me where I am right now. It speaks to every situation I have ever faced. Wether Good times or Bad. Through loss or gain. It is alive. It is relevant. It is real! 

Green Grass is Biblical..........almost!

Psalm 129

⁴ But the LORD is righteous;
   he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”

 ⁵ May all who hate Zion
   be turned back in shame.
⁶ May they be like grass on the roof,
   which withers before it can grow;
⁷ a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,
   nor one who gathers fill his arms.
⁸ May those who pass by not say to them,
   “The blessing of the LORD be on you;
   we bless you in the name of the LORD.”

I have grass growing on the brain and then all the sudden these verses pop up in my study. I have been spending an inordinate amount of time watering grass. It's been 100 degrees here and the grass is under stress. Not just here at home but on all of our athletic fields at GHS. We have automatic sprinklers, but they do not water the edges very well. God meant grass to be green. I am doing everything to make sure that happens. So, i move and reposition sprinklers every day, all day long. Today I let God water it. He sent a great deluge of rain. Everything got a good soaking.

As I read this verse, I got a chuckle thinking about growing grass on my roof at home. I thought how tough it would be to get on the roof and water it. I'm also not sure I want to mow it. Would it be just another place for "Dandelion Wars" (I always win!)

I am sure the Lord never meant these verses to bring such humor. But, they did. Maybe he did mean it to bring humor to me today. Isn't it amazing how the Lord speaks to us? I love to read his word. I love to let the Holy Spirit take hold of my mind and speak to me in the way God intended. Yes, I also love it when his word makes me laugh. God is amazing. Those who say he is not alive and active just don't get it. He wants to be a part of our life, but we have some responsibility to make that happen. We need to seek him and open our minds and hearts to him. We need to live in the gift he gave us, the Bible.  If we do that, he will make us laugh and so much more! Praise God for his love! Praise God for his word.

Over Hill, Over Dale, my Love will EVER fail!

Luke 1:36-38 (New International Version, ©2010)

³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For no word from God will ever fail.” ³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

OK, You are really going to think I'm weird. When I read this verse, the only thing I could think of was a M*A*S*H episode. In this episode Margaret (Hot Lips) lost her wedding ring. Clinger decided to get another one made to replace it. But, the inscription on the re-made ring was messed up. It was supposed to say "Over Hill, Over Dale, your love will NEVER fail." Instead it said, "Over Hill, Over Dale, your love will EVER fail." Oops!  Just one tiny letter made a huge difference.

Mans words are not reliable, Gods words will NEVER fail. I hear so many non-Christians criticize the faith because our Christian Brothers and Sisters  are severely flawed. You know what..............we are severely flawed! Real Christians will tell you, we are all sinful and fall short of the glory of the Lord.

Romans 3:23 (New International Version, ©2010)

²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 It doesn't say all NON-CHRISTIANS fall short, it says ALL. We do not worship Christians. We worship Christ. We do not rely on the words of Man whether they are Christian or Non-Christian. Mary knew that God's word will never fail and she wanted to be a part of the fulfillment of that word.  What a great statement for all of us to make a part of our daily life:  “I am the Lord’s servant, May your word to me be fulfilled.” When God speaks to us, we need to accept it as a servant and do what we can to see it fulfilled in our daily lives. First of all we need to actually hear the word of God. That can only be done if we get to know GOD. How many times have you heard me say that?  We need to know God's word before we act on it. GET TO KNOW GOD AND YOU WILL HEAR HIS WORD!

Dear Lord, we pray for you to speak to us. Help us to be your servant and to listen for your word and then see it fulfilled in our lives. We are sinful and know your plan is perfect even when we are not. We ask that others will learn to rely on your word alone and not the word of Man. Amen!