Pathways

 Copied from Life on the Ledge, 3/02/2012

Every day I get a daily Bible verse in my email. Sometimes it doesn't do a thing for me. At other times I will keep the email in my inbox all day and go back an reread the verse as time permits. Today's verse is one of these. 

Job 23:10-11 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

I like the Book of Job because it's the one place in the Bible I can identify with someone so strongly that it seems Job and I know one another. In my Bible, I have highlighted several verses in Job. This whole chapter is highlighted because it's one of my favorites in the Bible. In that one chapter, I am Job.

Job 23:3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

For some time now, I've been lost. Every path I would travel has been cut off. I'm not where I was, and where I am is unfamiliar territory. There are no familiar landmarks, no smooth roadways, and no one to turn to for help. It would appear that my path is to be traveled alone in alien lands. 

Job 23:8-9  Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:  On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:

I just don't know which way to turn. More than once, I have wanted to just sit down in the road and give up. I can't move in any direction at all because I simply don't know which direction to go because I don't know where I am. 

And yet....He knows exactly where I am. 

Job 23:10-11 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

There's no Google Earth or Google Maps for me to use on this trip. I have only one resource, and too often I forget it. He doesn't forget me. 

Job 23:13-14 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.  For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

He knows where I am. He knows the twist and turns in the roads, the highs and lows. He knows the dangers along each route. He knows the blocks across the paths that lie before me. He sees every alternative route long before I reach it. 

Sometimes when I want to go left, I am forced right. He knows what lies ahead. It is appointed for me. I'm not really lost at all. I just didn't plan the trip.

I do not know why there are dark places in the road, where no light penetrates. I do not know why accidents happen and I am injured or people die. Perhaps it's just the nature of the journey. I know only that there is great comfort in the fact that He knows where I am. And even though it seems I am lost in a strange land, He knows how I got there and where I'm going next.

Hitting the Minor Prophets

 Finished Hosea and Joel today. You know, I didn't realize how much prophecy Joel contained. It is a small book in the Old Testament. There are only 3 chapters in the whole book. And it gets rather dark. 

Joel 3:14  Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 

I'll move to Amos next, and it's nine chapters. Obadiah follows, with one chapter. I suspect the minor prophets are going to be a fast read. Then, my goal is to start the poetic books. I am not using a "plan". Instead, I'm working through the shortest books in order of my interest. 

Once those are done, I intend to start on the longer major prophets. I was thinking this morning that I might pull out my chronological Bible for the New Testament but decided not to. I'll get bogged down with all the notes included in that version. There's history, archeology, and statistics throughout that Bible, and I have to read every single thing on every page. 

So, that's where things stand now. 

The Charlie Kirk murder has knocked me down. I've also been dealing with a lot of physical pain. So, it's been a terrible week all the way around. 

I hope the coming week will bring a positive outlook and changes. 

Hosea, Can You See?

 Today I began reading Hosea. I've read the minor prophets before, and I kind of enjoy reading them. They're to the point and very clear. Not bogged down with a lot of kings and wars like the other OT books. 

Over the years, I've heard a lot of teaching on Hosea. That's likely because of the harlot wife, who may or may not have been real. In the Thompson Chain, there is a book summary before each book, and I've found that very helpful for a variety of reasons. For Hosea, there is a question of whether or not the book is allegorical or fact. I don't think it's important because the actual point of the book is how it reflects the behavior of Israel and God's judgement of them because of it. 

The book describes the nation of Israel as corrupt, a harlot who has failed to remain faithful to her husband. He points out that there is no truth, mercy, or knowledge of God left in the land. The level of sin has literally polluted the land. Because of their sin, everything in the land will waste away. He says the land will mourn and that all the animals and bird life and life in the sea will die. 

That sounded quite familiar to me. We're seeing this happen to the planet now. And from scripture, we know that the earth is suffering under man's evil. Don't think for one second you can hide your actions. The earth will testify against you. 

When I reached chapter 4 of Hosea, I had a revelation of sorts, in fact, a couple of them. In this chapter, Hosea is recounting the lack of faithfulness in the nation of Israel. He details how they have prostituted themselves with pagan gods. And that even the Hebrew priests are corrupt because of this mess. 

When the people sin, they must present offerings in repentance. These are for the priests to consume. When they commit more sins, they have to bring more offerings to the priest. The priests don't condemn them because that would stop the flow of offerings, and they wouldn't be getting rich off the sins of the nation. The priests profit from more sin.

This too sounded familiar to me. As long as you bring those offerings, you are going to be just fine. God forgives you. And He wants you to prosper. So, the more you give, the more God will bless you. 

Oh. My.

I do not believe in the prosperity doctrine. All my life I paid tithes and supported building funds and missionaries. I've never gotten rich. In fact, I've had times when I could barely pay the bills. There have been times we couldn't go to the doctor because we couldn't pay the copays. 

 Hosea was warning Israel about their lack of obedience and faithfulness to God in their daily living. That would be their downfall and bring about the destruction of the nation. They were bringing offerings to the temple, but it didn't matter. 

I believe God blesses faithfulness in our walk with him. I believe that worship and honoring God are the highest praise. Hosea was warning Israel about their lack of obedience and faithfulness to God. This was what would be their downfall and bring about the destruction of the nation: swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery, and murdering. 

My final insight from Hosea was in 4:13. Hosea claims the people chose mountains because trees gave them shadows to sin in. I also found this suggested in other places. "Men love darkness because their deeds are evil." Darkness, in the minds of men, can hide the sins they commit. 

It's ironic because Exodus 20:21 says: "And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was."

There is no protection in the darkness. God is there, watching you. He brings light to the darkness and exposes everything.  

It's High Time

Daniel 2
Courtsey Pixabay.com

 I started the Book of Daniel this past week but couldn't read every day as I usually do. I had to go to my sister's to help her and take her to her infusion appointment every day. This will go on until September. 

Today I finished the eighth chapter and will start on nine tomorrow if all goes well. Daniel is an interesting book. If you've read it, you know the story of the Hebrew children in the fiery furnace and of Daniel in the lions' den. But for me, it's the visions Daniel has that fascinate. 

The image at right depicts the sort of statue mentioned in Daniel 2. His other visions were even more complex. They all relate to the same historical events that happened over centuries. They're all connected, but you don't get that at first. The Medes and Persians, Grecians, Romans, and modern Europe. The return of Jesus will shatter the feet and bring down the statue. I always get confused about the interconnectedness of the visions until I read them. 

Today in Chapter 8 I realized that what I'd heard all my life was here. I mean, I realized what the elders had spoken of for over 100 years was here, and I was now witness to the unfolding of an ancient prophecy. Come on. You've always known it, but have you truly realized it? It's more than 1000 years since Daniel saw it. 

I thought about it for a few minutes, and then I remembered something else. I remembered how all of us had prayed for God to save our loved ones. How we've asked for just more time for them to come to him and turn their lives over to him. We've prayed for more time to make things right within ourselves, too. Just a little more time, Lord! Please. Not yet! Just a little more time. 

Every day, every year, very decade of our lives we've prayed this. You haven't? Well, I'm honest enough to tell you I have. Today I had a revelation. 

Time is not the problem. We have plenty of time. Really, we do. We have just enough time to make our hearts right with God. There's just enough time to fix our problems and create a sanctified life. We have just enough time to create a better world, to reach a broken and dying world. Time abounds. 

The problem isn't time. The problem is me and you and them. We are the problem. Our lives are mapped out before we ever arrive. Every potential ability and gift is in place for us to make an impact. Even scripture records that a special clock plots our lifetime. Psalms 90:10 says that our life is 70 years or, if we're strong, 80 years. We know people who live much longer, but that's the exception, not the rule. So you have at the least 70 years to make an impact. We can both admit that life is not perfect and that many people die before the promised time. Health, accidents, and murder are life events. However, it takes only a moment to fix a soul. 

So, why do we need more time to find God? Why do our loved ones need more time? What makes us think there has not been enough time?

I've had plenty of time to find God and live a life pleasing to him. Micah 6:8 in the Amplified Bible says:

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?

That's under the law. Once Jesus came, he gave us a plan. It's outlined in the New Testement. On the day of Pentecost, the Jews ask Peter in Acts 2:37.

 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

They realized that their time had arrived. Jesus gave Peter the keys to the Kingdom, and he used them right then to open the Kingdom doors.

 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

 The clock for the Jews' salvation started that instant. Your clock started the day you first heard the Gospel message. It's ticking. You have time. 

Romans 13:11 (NKJV) says:

"And do this, understanding the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed"

But time will end. We're almost there. If you can't see it, pray for revelation. If you are afraid, you should be. If you're not ready. Time is running out. Get dressed. 

There's going to be a party afterward.

Next Stop Corinth!

  
 I made it out of Rome! I'm now in Corinth. Well, 1st Corinthians. I reached Chapter 12 today. I wasn't able to read for the last two days because life and fatigue got in the way. 

This book is easier in some ways, but I'm still referring to the Amplified Bible a lot. The Corinthians were a mess, I think. Apparently, disunity, immorality, and false teaching were problems for the Corinthian Church. Paul had to step in and re-school them. It did not go well.

When reading Corinthians, you need to keep in mind that this congregation would not have been Jewish members only. Paul stayed in the city for a year and a half preaching to Greeks and Jews, and likely anyone else who passed through. The founding of this church is in Acts 18, and from the start, Paul had trouble with the Jews there.  

In Acts 18:6 you find Paul reaching the end of his tether. 

" And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. "

Based on my research, Corinth was a cosmopolitan city located west of Athens on an isthmus. The location made it a perfect spot for commercial and transportation endeavors in the region. Think about modern port cities with people from all over the known world going in and out, bringing their habits and beliefs with them. This environment would have exposed citizens to more materialist and immoral influences. Paul had his work cut out for him. 

I haven't read 2nd Corinthians yet, but since we have two letters, I suspect the problems didn't go away. I'll let you know.

The Rough Roman Road

 I lived in Italy in the very early 1980s. The army stationed us at Camp Darby outside Livorno. That's where you'll find the Leaning Tower.  Yes, I got to climb the tower, and I visited a beautiful church and baptistry there. I even walked some Roman roads. For a month, I stayed in Rome with Leroy and Hazel Gee, missionaries to Rome. 

This week I began reading the Book of Romans. I say this with a touch of pride. Let me explain. Twice in my life, I've read the entire Bible. I entertained the idea of a third reading, however; I elected to concentrate on the substance of the text rather than the number of readings. 

For a long time, I've read either devotionals or some kind of study guide. Honestly, I learn a lot more doing this than wading through a required daily list of chapters. This past month I started reading the letters to the Church. My goal is to pay close attention and grasp a thorough understanding of them. I mean, they're written to Christians. We need to understand them. 

I started with the shortest letters first. One thing I know about myself is that I get bored/tired quickly reading scripture. Bless your heart, if you don't. But let's face it, the book of Numbers is a lot like counting sheep. I began with Jude. It's actually good, so no problem. 

Here is where I'll tell you why I'm proud I began Romans today. I dread reading Romans. I will avoid reading if I can. 

Why? Because Paul was verbose and the KJV translators made amazing strides in translating every single word. Furthermore, they did it in the King's English and a grammatical structure that requires an English PHD to make sense of. The text's complex structure demands multiple readings. 

Look, I have a BA in history and I studied journalism. I graduated with a 3.8 GPA. If I had to guess, I've read close to a million books and the complete works of Shakespeare and several classics!  Shakespeare, for heaven's sake. Have you read Shakespeare? 

I was a few pages into Romans when I pulled out my online Amplified Bible. I've been using it off and on when I ran across something that I wanted a bit more clarity on. I love it, so much so that I'm considering buying one. It has provided tremendous help, and it's a lifesaver in Romans. 

Yesterday I reached the 13th chapter of Romans. I've read this chapter and heard it preached many times. It contains the most favorite passage of ministers everywhere. I will let you look it up and see if you've heard it. Please, please do let me know with a comment!

When I began the chapter, I thought, "Oh, I know what this is. I won't need the Amplified Bible." 

Wrong. I needed it; and I pulled it up. And I'm so glad I did. Because as I read it, I realize that this scripture is not what I made to understand it to mean. I read it twice to be sure I was reading it right. I compared verses. And since I'm using my new Thompson Chain Bible, I read the index at the side of the scriptures. 

The first heading in the side index said "Duty of Government". "Authority of Government" follows this. Next is "Duties of Citizenship". This all covers the first seven verses of the chapter. And then, a light goes off in my head. 

Paul is writing this letter to the church in Rome. They are Roman citizens. I really wanted to beat my head at this realization. I studied Roman history for an entire semester! Stupid! Paul is talking to a group of "Roman Citizens". I should know this! Cindy, what is Rome known for at this period of history regarding government and citizenship? 

I could tell you, but let's use the KISS  method. Here is the excerpt from a Google search: How did Romans feel about citizenship? 

Roman citizenship in Biblical times was highly valued and carried significant legal and social privileges. It was a status that provided protection, rights, and opportunities that non-citizens did not have. (Google AI)

The concept of citizenship was central to Roman identity, and it evolved over time, expanding from a narrow definition focused on the city of Rome to a broader, more inclusive system that incorporated people from across the empire.

This chapter is speaking to Romans about the proper attitude toward their government and how they are to behave in that respect. Verse 7 sums it up nicely. Devoted Roman citizens were to live in accordance with the laws of Rome but as Christians. Paul reinforces teaching on morality and various other topics. But my point for this post is that this chapter is not about church authority. You can get that elsewhere. Romans 13 is to Romans about obedience to government leaders, something Jesus was very clear about as well in Matt. 21:22. 

Can you use this chapter to press home church authority? I guess so. It has been all my life. No one ever said it's about how citizens were to behave themselves to their government and one another. It wasn't taught that this was to Roman citizens who became Christians and had some confusion on whether their Christianity trumped the Caesar. 

Reading these letters this month has taught me a lot about the use and misuse of scripture. I've experienced that issues. Forty years ago, I had a conversation with a minster who asked me about a private matter. I told him I couldn't tell him about that because it was private and I didn't gossip. He told me that he was my head and I had to obey him. I very politely pointed out that my husband was my head. 

He informed me, "Well, I'm his head." 

I said, again politely, "No, the Bible says Christ is his head." 

He said, "Well, I'm the head of the church." 

"No sir," I said, "Christ is the head of the Church." 

His final statement was that I might as well tell him, since the Lord had already told him. 

I responded, "Well, in that case, I don't need to tell you anything. You already know." 

This was a very toxic situation and the only thing that helped me was my knowledge of the Word. He misused the Word to manipulate me into revealing a personal matter. Specifically, the scriptures in Romans and this one in 1 Corinthians,  

1 Corinthians 11:3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

The Bible tells us that Satan is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. If we're not armed with the Word, which is our sword, we will not survive the attack. The enemy will attempt to deceive us by misusing the Word. The Bible gives us examples of the devil using scripture. He always prepares for an attack. So should we.

We can use every reading plan out there, and there are many, to read the Bible through in any amount of time. They will make you familiar with the Word, but not knowledgeable. After the second read through of the Bible, I was very dissatisfied. I wanted depth. You only find depth by diving into deep water. I want to swim in it. 

I will reach the end of the Roman Road this week, and I'll be glad. It's a rough trip, but I'm enjoying it. But please pray for me. I still have 1st and 2nd Corinthians and Hebrews to finish. I don't know where I'll head then, but I hope the roads are better.

 

Questions That Drive Me Crazy In a Good Way

I never know what will come into my head when I turn off the lights. This will amuse some people. Some will find it shocking. Some will be curious. I don't need to know into which category you fall. 

> When were Heaven and Earth created? (Everyone is gonna miss this one. )

>  How long was it from the creation of the heavens and the earth until the creation of time?

You can find the answers in Genesis 1. But don't cheat. And there is no rush. Time, after all, doesn't matter.

My brain operates like an earth mover. It digs down into the core. I love it when it happens, but I sure wish it didn't happen when I'm short of sleep. 

Thirty years ago, I'd sit up all night playing with this stuff. Now? I have to write it down if I can remember it in the morning. I remembered these, and I know if I remember them, they were important. Perhaps not important to you. You may believe they're frivolous questions. I'm so glad God doesn't mind my questions. I'm glad he gives me the hard ones, too!

So, if you want to play along, write your answers. Opinions will vary and some are incorrect. However, there is no grade. If you'd rather see what other answers are, that's OK. 

We're all learning, and we learn at different rates. Sometimes I think I have the answer and I go skipping along, secure in that knowledge. Then, I trip over a boulder and realize that my original understanding was faulty. Now, here's this big old rock in the middle of the road that exposes my error. I like that rock. It has character and I can examine it in depth, every crack, crevice, and hole. I can climb all over that thing, wearing safety gear, of course.

I don't expect anyone to share my views. I am content to treasure them to myself, discussing them with the Lord, sharing only when called upon. Because some people get ugly when you share your views. When questions challenge the concepts we've adopted, our genuine nature reveals itself. As if by attempting to see, hear, and understand from a different perspective, we'll catch some dread disease. God forbid we ask God for the blueprints. How dare we! And who do I think I am to pose such questions?

I'm not afraid to ask the hard questions. I'm not afraid of answers that challenge my views. I'm not afraid to disagree, nor am I afraid to concede.Rocks are cool. They tell a story. I examine every rock placed on the path. I think God liked rocks, too. 

Why? Well....

Deut 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. 

2 Samuel 22:1-7 And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: 

2 And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;

3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

4 I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

 1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

I'm sure someone far more educated than I will have answers. 🙄

The Things That Keep Me Awake At Night

 Don't say I didn't warn you. The following is unedited and was the brain dump that woke me up. I have NO idea what this is all about. Apparently, it doesn't matter what I think. It is.

Truth is truth, whether you believe it or not. Truth is not dependent on your belief. It will be truth even if you don’t accept it. And it will be truth, if you accept it. 

You can disbelieve in the wind, but your unbelief will not affect the direction it blows. Neither will your belief in the wind. The wind and truth are unaffected by your view of it. 

Truth is reality and is perfect. As such, you can not change it. If you attempt to change truth, it is no longer truth nor perfect. You will have created a construct that is flawed and is not truth.

You can’t prove the truth, neither can you disprove it. No matter what you do or think, the truth is unaffected by you. It remains when all else does not. Truth IS.

Jesus said he was the way, the truth, and the life. No matter what you believe, you can’t change it. You can’t prove it. Neither can you disprove it. You can only believe or disbelieve and neither of those things will alter the truth. It will still be Truth when you and I are dust.

You can deny truth. But your denial is irrelevant. Truth is not dependent on your belief. It is still truth.

Pilate said, “What is truth?” when he stood before it. He could not recognize it because he did not recognize truth. His failure to recognize truth did not affect it. When he washed his hands, his actions made his question irrelevant. Belief and disbelief both do not affect truth.

Truth does not depend on your understanding. It is truth, even if you don’t understand it, recognize it, or believe it. Truth is outside your influence. 

A Waiting Game

It's been a rough month. You're thinking, "When is it not for you?" I complain a lot and whine a lot and ... well, cry a lot. I've come so far since Covid. Most of it's downhill. It's very frustrating. I had signed up at the gym, lost 20 lbs and was feeling stronger when 2019 ended. 

I caught Covid in October 2020 and from then on, I haven't been able to get my feet back under me. I tried to keep going to the gym, but I caught Covid again in 2021 and in 2022. They were less severe each time, but I was still pretty sick.

The last year I didn't put in much effort. Managing pain was a priority. So was reading my Bible and praying more often. I made plans to do several writing assignments. Everything fell apart. 

Somewhere in 2024, my finances collapsed, and I was floundering to get from one month to the next dealing with home repairs and auto repairs and medical issues. And just paying the bills was scary. I have to tell you I was at the end of my rope. When Amanda moved in it relieved some of the pressure. Last year would have been impossible without her support. She required lodging; I required funds; thus, I took a boarder—something I'd not previously envisioned. It has worked so well and she's a great house mate.  

Other cost-saving measures provided relief; thankfully, God is mindful of our needs. He is always faithful, even when we falter. 

I feel like I'm in a stagnant place; not moving forward or backward. Just stuck. Maybe the best thing to do is pull up a stool and sit down. Sometimes all you can do is wait. I have nowhere to go, so ... I'll wait.