Three times in Isaiah chapter 2, it speaks of the Dread of the Lord... that one day every one will see the glory of His splendor and majesty and they will hide under rocks and caves from dread of the Lord.
And then it has the summation/application of that dread in verses 5 and 22. Or as one commentator puts it- the vision is translated into action.
verse 5- "Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD."
verse 22 (final verse of chapter)- "Stop trusting in man,who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?"
Let us let the splendor of His majesty lead us to walk in the light and stop trusting in man!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Commencing Studying Isaiah...
Isaiah 1- God's Merciful Judgement
In our sin- we are ENEMIES and FOES of God- and he will discipline us for our own good and purification! (see vs 24-26)
"Therefore the Lord, the Lord almighty, the Mighty on of Israel declares: AH, I wll get relief from my FOES and avenge myself on my enemies (24). I will turn my hand against YOU (Israel, my children) and I will thouroughly purge away your dross and remove your impurities (25). I will restore your judges as days of old, your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City."
He also says earlier-
"Your hands are filled with blood! WASH YOURSELF and make YOURSELF clean."
Utterly impossible- can bloodstains be removed out of white things? Even with bleach? Two verses down he says:
"Come- let us REASON together. Though your sins be as scarlet, they will be white as snow. Though they are like crimson, they shall be as wool."
Crimson and Scarlet, two uncleansable fast colors- US before a Holy and Righteous God, the HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL. Only cleansed through the precious blood of Jesus- the glorious gospel! AMEN.
In our sin- we are ENEMIES and FOES of God- and he will discipline us for our own good and purification! (see vs 24-26)
"Therefore the Lord, the Lord almighty, the Mighty on of Israel declares: AH, I wll get relief from my FOES and avenge myself on my enemies (24). I will turn my hand against YOU (Israel, my children) and I will thouroughly purge away your dross and remove your impurities (25). I will restore your judges as days of old, your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City."
He also says earlier-
"Your hands are filled with blood! WASH YOURSELF and make YOURSELF clean."
Utterly impossible- can bloodstains be removed out of white things? Even with bleach? Two verses down he says:
"Come- let us REASON together. Though your sins be as scarlet, they will be white as snow. Though they are like crimson, they shall be as wool."
Crimson and Scarlet, two uncleansable fast colors- US before a Holy and Righteous God, the HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL. Only cleansed through the precious blood of Jesus- the glorious gospel! AMEN.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The first post of 2010- Vanesa preaching to herself
WOW. So I thought about starting a new blog with my new husband in 2010 (got married to the wonderful Jordan Minnick on Dec 19, 2009) but figured I might as well post today.
I am filled with such mixture of emotions that writing might be extraordinarily helpful right now... I am so thankful for Christ, hope, and the MANY blessings of this season. It does seem like we are being hit with trial after trial, and I am coming up lacking, immature, gold filled with dross- unpurified, weak, and foolish. Even my repentance and faith- so shallow! What an exciting exchange that changes all that I am with the perfect submission, obedience, worship, and purity of Jesus Christ! Glory to God for the gospel.
This ASK Pastor John was encouraging to me: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/3582/Audio/
Right now, I sit at home with a sinus infection, thoracic outlet symptoms, and Raynauds disease (all new!), wrestling with my own wicked heart and the James 4 desires that rage within me regarding my PT program and "investment" there... longing for submission to Christ, obedience, and true lasting repentance that actually makes me change and respond when I am convicted. Writing an email not to please men or just keep the peace/playcate people, but wanting my heart to be submission, not to be motivated to do it for my own end and benefit. O Wretched female that I am, who will rescue me from this body of death?
THANKS BE TO GOD, through Christ! Look to Christ! My sinful motives have been atones for by Another. Jesus died for all these sins! Jesus, the one who passed every test, who was tempted in every way but never sinned has stood in my place to be punished on my behalf. God forgives me and will help me, not because I am sinless but because He is merciful! Look to Christ, look to Christ. He is my perfection, my certainty and security in this season of unknowns (especially this week! I find out about redoing my case study/my continuing with PT, Jordan interviews for a job in Richmond, and we find out if he got into the masters program that would have us in China!)
The verses that come to mind are about serious trial and I feel guilty for even finding comfort in them! Its like this is such a small trial!! The outrage and pride for me to complain- I am still SO blessed, so provided for, have the gift of a wonderful husband to laugh with and encourage us both to perservere... but yet I think... though the fig tree may not blossom, yet I will praise Him. ;) IF only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men!
O GOD YOU ARE SO GOOD! I will glory in my Redeemer... whos priceless blood has ransomed me. Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails and hung him on that judgement tree. I will glory in my Redeemer who crushed the power of sin and death. My only Savior before a Holy Judge- the lamb who is my righteousness.
Lord please help me put my faith in action and believe and act upon what I know! I will glory in my Redeemer. My life he bought, my love he OWNS. I have no longings for another- Im satisfied in Him alone. (Lord make this true of me!) I will glory my Redeemer- His faithfulness my standing place... tho foes are mighty and rush upon me, my feet are firm held by his grace!
O God- I am in desperate need of you. Remind me, tell me in your Word again and again! Thank you for putting me in an age where I have the whole counsel of your Truth as a constant reminder and never let me ignore it or try to go without it. Draw me close, never let go...
I am filled with such mixture of emotions that writing might be extraordinarily helpful right now... I am so thankful for Christ, hope, and the MANY blessings of this season. It does seem like we are being hit with trial after trial, and I am coming up lacking, immature, gold filled with dross- unpurified, weak, and foolish. Even my repentance and faith- so shallow! What an exciting exchange that changes all that I am with the perfect submission, obedience, worship, and purity of Jesus Christ! Glory to God for the gospel.
This ASK Pastor John was encouraging to me: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/3582/Audio/
Right now, I sit at home with a sinus infection, thoracic outlet symptoms, and Raynauds disease (all new!), wrestling with my own wicked heart and the James 4 desires that rage within me regarding my PT program and "investment" there... longing for submission to Christ, obedience, and true lasting repentance that actually makes me change and respond when I am convicted. Writing an email not to please men or just keep the peace/playcate people, but wanting my heart to be submission, not to be motivated to do it for my own end and benefit. O Wretched female that I am, who will rescue me from this body of death?
THANKS BE TO GOD, through Christ! Look to Christ! My sinful motives have been atones for by Another. Jesus died for all these sins! Jesus, the one who passed every test, who was tempted in every way but never sinned has stood in my place to be punished on my behalf. God forgives me and will help me, not because I am sinless but because He is merciful! Look to Christ, look to Christ. He is my perfection, my certainty and security in this season of unknowns (especially this week! I find out about redoing my case study/my continuing with PT, Jordan interviews for a job in Richmond, and we find out if he got into the masters program that would have us in China!)
The verses that come to mind are about serious trial and I feel guilty for even finding comfort in them! Its like this is such a small trial!! The outrage and pride for me to complain- I am still SO blessed, so provided for, have the gift of a wonderful husband to laugh with and encourage us both to perservere... but yet I think... though the fig tree may not blossom, yet I will praise Him. ;) IF only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men!
O GOD YOU ARE SO GOOD! I will glory in my Redeemer... whos priceless blood has ransomed me. Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails and hung him on that judgement tree. I will glory in my Redeemer who crushed the power of sin and death. My only Savior before a Holy Judge- the lamb who is my righteousness.
Lord please help me put my faith in action and believe and act upon what I know! I will glory in my Redeemer. My life he bought, my love he OWNS. I have no longings for another- Im satisfied in Him alone. (Lord make this true of me!) I will glory my Redeemer- His faithfulness my standing place... tho foes are mighty and rush upon me, my feet are firm held by his grace!
O God- I am in desperate need of you. Remind me, tell me in your Word again and again! Thank you for putting me in an age where I have the whole counsel of your Truth as a constant reminder and never let me ignore it or try to go without it. Draw me close, never let go...
Monday, October 26, 2009
Love Does Not Seek Its Own (by John Piper)
"Love does not seek its own."
I don't think this means that it is wrong to want to be happy. Because in verse 3 Paul argues that if you don't love, it profits you nothing. So it's not wrong to want the right kind of profit. What he's saying is that love does not seek its own personal, private preference without reference to what may be good for other people. Love seeks its joy and its profit in the good of others, not just in private gratification.
When Paul says, "Love seeks not its own," he is not saying that you shouldn't stand up for your own convictions—he died for his convictions. He is saying that you must be sure that the strength of your conviction is in proportion to the conviction being God's not just yours. To the degree that your preference is yours and not compellingly found in God's Word, to that degree should you be slow to seek it, and slow to get angry when others don't share it. "Love seeks not its own." It seeks the good of the many, not just the comfort of self.
So if we are going to love, we are going to have to die to "our own." Love seeks not its own. What does it do? It dies to its own. "Unless a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die it remains alone, but if it dies [to its own] it bears much fruit."
I don't think this means that it is wrong to want to be happy. Because in verse 3 Paul argues that if you don't love, it profits you nothing. So it's not wrong to want the right kind of profit. What he's saying is that love does not seek its own personal, private preference without reference to what may be good for other people. Love seeks its joy and its profit in the good of others, not just in private gratification.
When Paul says, "Love seeks not its own," he is not saying that you shouldn't stand up for your own convictions—he died for his convictions. He is saying that you must be sure that the strength of your conviction is in proportion to the conviction being God's not just yours. To the degree that your preference is yours and not compellingly found in God's Word, to that degree should you be slow to seek it, and slow to get angry when others don't share it. "Love seeks not its own." It seeks the good of the many, not just the comfort of self.
So if we are going to love, we are going to have to die to "our own." Love seeks not its own. What does it do? It dies to its own. "Unless a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die it remains alone, but if it dies [to its own] it bears much fruit."
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Therefore glorify God in your body and do not satisfy the lusts of your flesh...
I have been WRESTLING lately with so much SIN!
Such a sinful girl and so unaware of it until very recently... o the extent of my depravity! These respectable DAILY sins and things I am so accostomed to doing without conviction.
Our heavenly Father SEES what is done in secret and rewards us accordingly.
He is also a jealous God... of ANYTHING that I love more than Him.
Any thing I want more than I want to obey Him....
Do I want to speed or send and read text messages rather than obey His Word when he tells me to submit to the governing authorities?
Do I want to complain and vent rather than obey His Word when he tells me to do everything without complaining? O but I really just need to right now... I want to.
Do I want to slouch, criticize, text and talk through class rather than be a light in a dark place and walk displaying a changed heart? Or are my unregenerate classmates more honoring in their behavior?
Do I want just something else to munch on more than I desire to display His Spirits fruit in my life and be self controlled? Do I desire buying an afternoon coffee or treat more than I desire to honor Him with my finances?
Do I want to hug and hold my wonderful fiance just one minute more or do I want to keep myself from even a hint of sexual immorality, help him, and keep my thoughts on Phil 4:8- what is PURE and lovely, honorable and fitting???
O these questions! O these areas that have LONG been inconsistencies in my life in need of addressing... I am GLAD to serve a jealous God who doesn't want me to want these fleeting pleasures more than I desire to obey His wonderful Word!
I have been SAVED out of this wretched behavior that I maintain for so long. The conviction is here.... Please encourage me, do not let me be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin in these small areas. May I CHOOSE to obey God and never choose the fleeting pleasure of sin.
Such a sinful girl and so unaware of it until very recently... o the extent of my depravity! These respectable DAILY sins and things I am so accostomed to doing without conviction.
Our heavenly Father SEES what is done in secret and rewards us accordingly.
He is also a jealous God... of ANYTHING that I love more than Him.
Any thing I want more than I want to obey Him....
Do I want to speed or send and read text messages rather than obey His Word when he tells me to submit to the governing authorities?
Do I want to complain and vent rather than obey His Word when he tells me to do everything without complaining? O but I really just need to right now... I want to.
Do I want to slouch, criticize, text and talk through class rather than be a light in a dark place and walk displaying a changed heart? Or are my unregenerate classmates more honoring in their behavior?
Do I want just something else to munch on more than I desire to display His Spirits fruit in my life and be self controlled? Do I desire buying an afternoon coffee or treat more than I desire to honor Him with my finances?
Do I want to hug and hold my wonderful fiance just one minute more or do I want to keep myself from even a hint of sexual immorality, help him, and keep my thoughts on Phil 4:8- what is PURE and lovely, honorable and fitting???
O these questions! O these areas that have LONG been inconsistencies in my life in need of addressing... I am GLAD to serve a jealous God who doesn't want me to want these fleeting pleasures more than I desire to obey His wonderful Word!
I have been SAVED out of this wretched behavior that I maintain for so long. The conviction is here.... Please encourage me, do not let me be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin in these small areas. May I CHOOSE to obey God and never choose the fleeting pleasure of sin.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
awww Tim....
This morning getting ready- I was listening to Tim McGraw sing about the problem we all face with our sin nature.... Tim blames it and says- 'I Guess thats just the cowboy in me..." It honestly made me SAD to hear it... It shows the gospel and the law of God is written on the hearts of men, but what is the conclusion of man apart from the revalation of truth in the Word? No Tim, its not the cowboy in you, its the SINNER in you! Its the sinful nature in all of us, our natural bent that we are no longer enslaved to because of the glorious news of the gospel!
"We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin." (Rom 6:6)
Tim McGraw- The Cowboy in Me
I don't know why I act the way I do
Like I aint got a single thing to lose
Sometimes Im my own worst enemy
I guess thats just the cowboy in me
I got a life that most would love to have
But sometimes I still wake up fighting mad
At where this road Im heading down might lead
I guess thats just the cowboy in me
The urge to run, the restlessness
The heart of stone I sometimes get
The things Ive done for foolish pride
The me thats never satisfied
The face thats in the mirror when I dont like what I see
I guess thats just the cowboy in me
"We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin." (Rom 6:6)
Tim McGraw- The Cowboy in Me
I don't know why I act the way I do
Like I aint got a single thing to lose
Sometimes Im my own worst enemy
I guess thats just the cowboy in me
I got a life that most would love to have
But sometimes I still wake up fighting mad
At where this road Im heading down might lead
I guess thats just the cowboy in me
The urge to run, the restlessness
The heart of stone I sometimes get
The things Ive done for foolish pride
The me thats never satisfied
The face thats in the mirror when I dont like what I see
I guess thats just the cowboy in me
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
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