17 August, 2009

The Illumination of Scripture

Aiiee! So much to blog about...so many half-baked thoughts that I haven't translated to English yet! Ah, well. Since blogging last, I've failed to blog about Zambia, fractured my fibula, gotten violently ill, traveled to the Worship God 09 conference and bid "farewell" (of sorts) to an old friend. And did I mention that the Holy Spirit has been mightily at work? Allow me to share some of his workings...

Matthew 4:1-11
Two things can be observed through this passage: The behavior of Christ and of Satan.

  • Jesus was following the leading of the Spirit when he went to the wilderness and fasted.
  • Satan came uninvited.
  • Satan tempted Jesus in three ways:
  1. For natural provision (food)
  2. To test God’s promise (protection)
  3. His faithfulness to God
  • Jesus responded the same to all three temptations: With scripture.
  • Satan quoted scripture to Jesus as well, but Jesus responded with scripture that was in context.
  • Conclusion: Know Scripture! How can one wield a sword poorly forged?

Romans 7:7-25
"I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ... Wretched [wo]man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." (v. 15, 24-25)
James 4:13-17
As I ponder my future and past and present, these verses are particularly poignant. Especially when placed next to some good Proverbs. One moment, I am despairing of ever moving forward. Another, I am tossed about on the winds of indecision. God is indeed my rock, refuge, and shelter.

2 comments:

The Stranger said...

Slash them without mercy sister! "And Behold! I am with you, even unto the ends of the earth."

Dt

samurai said...

Laedelas - some excellent points to chew upon today. And very timely in my own life as well. Thank you for sharing these insights today.

I especially liked; "How can one wield a sword so poorly forged"?