Scripture Standouts

[Karen C.]

[tsth]

Ok Traveller,

Here's the leadings from quiet time this morning.  I have been asking the Lord to help me, as my husband and I are distraught at the lawless deeds we see and hear.  I asked the Lord this morning, "Lord, are we too judgmental, or are we just distraught?"  It truly is a conflict in this day and time.  Are we being unloving, or are we just trying to abide in righteousness, "not self-righteousness" but righteousness, that comes from God.

So I thought, how do I know what is right Lord?  I go to the Scriptures to the ones who best exemplify how I am feeling, and I was mindful of the verse about Lot in 2 Peter 2.  After going there, then I had to go back and study the life and time of Lot, which took me to Abraham.  Here's the message from this morning.

Genesis 18:17-20 (NRS) 17 The Lord said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 seeing that Abraham shall become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 No, for I have chosen him, that he may charge his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice; so that the Lord may bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." 20 Then the Lord said, "How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin!

What's cool, is the (KJV) translation.  Here it is, I will highlight that which stood out for study.

Genesis 18:17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; 18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I know him that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. 20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

The Lord knew Abraham, he was His friend (Isa. 41:8), but what was compelling was what the Lord said about Abraham.  He knew him!  He knew that Abraham would raise his children up in the Lord, to follow the Lord, to not conform to the world.  The Lord said He knew Abraham would bring those around him up "in the Lord", that is, apart from the world.  How wonderful is that!

I am understanding this morning that my heart is distraught, because we do not understand "righteousness" anymore.  We are forsaking righteousness.  What I heard this morning goes also under the other thread of tolerance.  I am going there now to post further from the Scriptures, and then I feel very compelled to study on "righteousness" and exactly what it is, and how to reclaim it within the Christian walk, without condemnation from others, of "self-righteousness" there is a difference.  

In His Love,

Suzanne

[tsth]

Hi Karen,

I guess we were posting at the same time, but hey, the Scriptures always work together don't they!  So there will be companionship within the 2 different studies even so.

Sorry, didn't mean to change the subject from the original refreshing.   :butbut:

In His Love,

Suzanne

[traveller]

Ok Traveller,

Here's the leadings from quiet time this morning.

[Karen C.]

Dear Suzanne~Don't that go along with how the word of "judging" is so loosley thrown around?

You know, when you speak of "sin" to someone and their reply is "judge not". That's straight up from the devil cuz WE ARE TO JUDGE THE SIN, not the person. So many times it is used in ignorance to withstand/or condone behavior that people are unwilling to change..... So they throw the term "self-rightous" at our judging their sin.....

Another tactic of the enemy.. strongholds..... satan has been putting these blocks together to hinder us at all turns.. But the weapons of our warfare are NOT carnal, but mighty in the pulling down of these!!!!!

Just some thoughts this morning too!

Much :inlove: , Karen

[wordsower]

I just wanted to ask, as I had one of those verses this morning that popped into my head as I had my quiet time.  You know how that happens, you have something come to you, from the Holy Spirit, you go and find it, and then you notice something new in it that grabs you.  Well here it was for me, although I know that it isn't usually big for someone else, but I thought I'd just throw it out there for someone else to post on, if they've come across it as well, and would like to share.  The prominent word in it was "transgresseth".  

It's 2 John 9.

(KJV)  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Now, what struck me about this is in the NIV it translates as whoever runs past, runs ahead of the doctrine of Christ.  I thought I'd study that further, and found it very interesting.  It is not the usual usage of the word transgress.  It means:

to go by the side of

to go past or pass over without touching a thing

to overstep, neglect, violate, transgress

so to go past as to turn aside from

to depart, leave, be turned from

one who abandons his trust

abideth:

to remain, abide

in reference to place

to sojourn, tarry

not to depart 1a

to continue to be present 1a

to be held, kept, continually

in reference to time

to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure 1b

of persons, to survive, live

in reference to state or condition

to remain as one, not to become another or different

to wait for, await one

What's interesting about this is it is also used in reference to Judas in Acts. 1:25

That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

I just wanted to share this, because I've often wondered in reading that particular passage, what does it mean to "go past" Christ? And how could someone do that?

I also wonder if it has anything to do with Luke 16:16, which is the one passage of Scripture, if I could ask Jesus in person about any right this minute, that one has me intrigued.  I have studied it much, but the Lord has not given me assurance of understanding on it right now, but it is one that has stayed with me for at least a couple of years.  Do any of you have any verse like that, that you keep wondering about, and have not gotten the confirmation that totally answers the question.  I have had it explained to me, but in short, it has not been revealed yet by the Holy Spirit in a way that is complete to me.

I love the Word of God, it is so awesome and beautiful!  It truly is fulfilling and nourishing!

Oh well, now I'm rambling, just wanted to throw this out there.  And if there are no comments, that's fine too, just wanted to get it off the top of my head, it's been there a while.  

In His Love,

Suzanne

Back in verse 7 he is saying that many deceivers have gone out who do not confess Jesus as coming in the flesh, and this is a deceiver and an antichrist.  Then in verse 10 he says if anyone comes to you with this doctrine-reject it!  I think the transgression that 'goes past Christ-is the doctrine that denies His virgin birth, life, death and resurrection.

[tsth]

Yes, wordsower, I would agree to some extent, except that as I noted in my post.  There is a distinct definition for what that means.  It is talking of "not remaining" in that doctrine.

That is the original word translation of it.  The translation wasn't something I just made up.  That is why it is important to go beyond just what you think it might mean, and study the true meaning of the Words used in the Scriptures.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[tsth]

Dear traveller and all,

Just wanted to share this with you all.  God is So Good!  This is what He has done.  

This morning my husband was talking about the fact that it was his turn to read the Psalms at church this Sunday, but this particular one was so long, he wasn't sure whether or not he was supposed to read it all or just part.

In my quiet time this morning I went to go see what it was, here is what the Lord lead me to.  His verses were in 35, but I noticed that it was the beginning of instruction on righteousness.  From 35-37.  I only posted 37 though, it was the most abundant of them all.

Psalm 37

1 A Psalm of David. Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret--it only causes harm. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 12 The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his teeth. 13 The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn the sword And have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay those who are of upright conduct. 15 Their sword shall enter their own heart, And their bows shall be broken. 16 A little that a righteous man has Is better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, But the Lord upholds the righteous. 18 The Lord knows the days of the upright, And their inheritance shall be forever. 19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 20 But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of the Lord, Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away.

21 The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives. 22 For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, But those cursed by Him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed. 27 Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore. 28 For the Lord loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever. 30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide. 32 The wicked watches the righteous, And seeks to slay him. 33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, Nor condemn him when he is judged.

34 Wait on the Lord, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. 35 I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a native green tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.

(emphasis mine)

God's Word is Beautiful isn't it!

In His Love,

Suzanne

[tsth]

Proverbs 21:21

He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness and honor.

In His Truth,

Suzanne

[tsth]

Matthew 3:3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.' "

Psalm 85:13 - Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.

Matthew 21:32  For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.

Acts 10:35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

Isaiah 56:1 Thus says the Lord: "Keep justice, and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come, And My righteousness to be revealed.

Isaiah 51:7 "Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults.

Understanding the Righteousness of the Lord

Proverbs 2:1 My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; 8 He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. 9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path.

Daniel 12:3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.

Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

Romans 3:22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

Romans 6:18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Gal. 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.

Eph. 4:24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Heb. 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."

In His Truth,

Suzanne