Thank you all for your prayers. I usually dread babysitting. I have always said it takes someone special because I don't enjoy watching other people's kids. However, I do adore my own! But I really enjoyed the kids I kept today. They were a delight! Thank you Jesus! Here's tomorrow's reading. It will be another early morning with kids so I had to post tonight. For tomorrow I will be completely consumed with Josiah, Ava Beth, Jackson, Ashlyn, Roxanne and Cassidy. Oh and the girls told me today that I was the "funnest" babysitter they had ever had! I think that's because the girls fixed my hair and did my makeup. And we had jumping contests from the couch to the LoveSac (which by the way, I really want one of these now!) As soon as their dad walked in, they told him about our jumping contest, even though I said, "You better not tell your parents I have organized this contest or they may fire me!" But, he still wants to drop them off at my house tomorrow! I think he wouldn't have minded if all four of them came to live with me until Mom came back in town! :) What can I say, it feels good to be the hero for a day! Jackson cried when I left!
And then there is John 5. What did it mean for me? I never thought I would get out of chapter five what I did. But, God uses the Word in our lives to meet us right where we are at. Nothing about marriage in this chapter but it spoke to me about my own. Marriage! What a journey!
No matter how great your marriage is, if you are honest with yourself, you know it's not perfect. At times you will be in a great place but sometimes things are hard. No matter how often you have a date night, no matter how often you have sex, no matter how often you serve your spouse, it can still be hard. Anyone that says their marriage is free from any conflict, well I would have to tell them to read the ten commandments. Lying is a sin!
Tonight was one of those nights for my marriage. We are in conflict right now. The funny thing is, the conflict is a habitual conflict. The subject matter isn't earth shattering, it's really nothing juicy, it's just the same old stuff that comes up over and over and over again. Some couples actually get married knowing that they don't agree on religion, politics or moral issues. Not us! We agree on all the big stuff! But the little stuff gets us every single time. Honestly, as I type this I am realizing how much I need to repent because I am angry. Tomorrow, He will act like nothing ever happened (this bugs me). I will end up apologizing TONIGHT because I won't be able to sleep. With that being said, I could name a million things about him that would let you know I AM BLESSED to have a man like him. And let me tell you, I know! Some days I wonder how on earth I got him to fall for me? It was all the Lord's doing! But my marriage is that one HUGE thing that I wish I could have total healing in.
As I read John 5, I could really relate to the man that had been sick for thirty-eight years. "Would you like to get well?" Jesus asked. If I picture the Lord asking me that regarding my marriage, I think my response would be the same as the sick man. "I can't sir."
So tonight I pray that I can stand up, pick up my sleeping mat and walk. I am ready to have victory in these areas for I am so tired of re-visiting the same old stuff. I love Jeremy so much and he has been the greatest healing balm in my life ever. He is a man after God's own heart and oh I love him!!!!
I love you Jeremy. Please forgive me.
(John study will resume on Monday. Take a break on the weekends but continue to stay in the word no matter what day it is! Be ready with John 6 on Monday.)
11 comments:
What I noticed is the Jews response to the healing. They critized the breaking of the rules instead of being elated at the healing. I am reminded of a time when my soon to be husband and I were drawn to a couple of young girls at work. They both had something really terrible in their past and they came to me as a freind. Then I went to my hubby and we came up with ideas as how to better their lives. One of these was to take them to church. We would pick them up and all go together. One of the girls had a young child. We couldn't convince her that the child would be safe in the nursery so we sat near the back each week. Things started to change for the girls. Most for the better but also natural changes. The child got older and louder in the service, and the mother didn't leave to nurse. The people around us were getting annoyed and spoke to me one day. I was furious. At least these poor girls are finding GOD instead of something horrable. But I was asked to pressure the mother to take her child to the nursery. Needless to say the girls didn't come back. It has stuck with me. Any time someone disrupts the service for me I smile at them and pray that they come back and continue to enjoy a life with CHRIST.
I also loved how JESUS responded. HE was also upset to say the least. This is a great passage telling us just who CHRIST is. I have often heard that this passage says that JESUS is not GOD, but look at the context. The very beginning it explains the Jews were mad because he was "...making himself equal with God."(v.18). In our language and understanding of our flow of writing verse 17 just states that JESUS is the SON of GOD. To us that can mean HE is separate and not divine. But their language and flow are different, and it is a good thing the writer specified it.
Amanda, I'm so with you on the marriage thing... I want to get up and walk too.
John 5...
What God said to me...
Jesus is God, all judgement has been entrusted to Him. 23that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
What my response to God is:
Lord, let Laura ask me about Jesus. I'll tell her exactly what you have said in your word. Open her heart so that she may be receptive to your voice.
I read!
v19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
He is showing me that I can do nothing by myself. Even Jesus could not do it by himself. It MUST be through the Father. His will, His doing. Oh, I how I try to do it on my own sometimes. And you know what...I fall short. The days I choose to yield to the Spirit and do the Father's will. Victory!
V30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
Lord, I know that without you I can do nothing. I long to do your will. To live for you. Lord, I seek to please you and you alone. Help me to break through the mentality of pleasing man. Show me when I am off track. Affirm when I am doing it right. I love you, oh, how I love you.
I have read.
Nancy
All I Read Today: John 5
Best Thing I Marked: John 5:41
Thought: "I do not accept praise from men..."
How It Impressed Me: Jesus was talking to the religious leaders about the fact that He was God's Son, the One they had been waiting for. Jesus didn't care that they didn't like him or approve of his actions. His only concern was if God, his Father, was proud of him. I have struggled my entire life concerning the praise of others. I want everyone to like me, think of me as 'this' or 'that', want me as their friend, etc. I could go on for pages! I battle every day to find a good healthy balance. I know the truth...it only matters what God thinks of me, but it's really difficult to live that out each day. God - help me seek only your praise and approval. You know what a battle this is for me. I can't so this without you!!
Praying for you !
I read John 5. The verse that popped out to me was verse 20.
I love that father and son bond.
As of 9:00 I have NOT read John 5, but I am planning on doing so before I go to bed. Make sure I do.
Kelly Ann, I like that response. It's honest and I can relate. Thanks for always sharing your guts! Nancy,Gwen, I am so glad you are posting!!! I am so thankful that God is working in all of your lives.
OK. So i never did John 4 on Friday. I will do both 5 and 6 today.
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